James Cook held the rank and position of Commander of the sloop Resolution.  However, he was called by everyone Captain, as was usual for those in charge of ships.

At Cape Town

In April 1775, Captain Cook did not write daily accounts of what was happening to his ship and men while they were recuperating from the voyage around the world.  Johann Reinhold Forster had stopped writing in his journal on 22 March, when Resolution arrived at Cape Town.  He kept a separate account of what happened during their stay, but it has been lost.  According to his son George, “we passed our time in examining the animals at the Company’s garden, and searching all the furriers shops, in order to collect an assortment of antelopes skin.  From remarks made after the voyage, we know that the Forsters spent £200 procuring animals to take home, including a meerkat.  He also traded with Governor Baron of Plettenberg a telescope by John Dolland for a springbok, and 13 volumes from his library in exchange for a secretary bird.  He bought 12 sheep as food for the carnivorous birds.

Lieutenant Robert Palliser Cooper gives us some idea of what happened in Resolution.  For example, on 2 April, he wrote “Employ’d watering the Ship”.  The next day, “Employ’d watering & Rigging the Ship”.  The following day, “Unhung the Rudder being loose in the Iron work, sent it on shore to be repaired”.  On 7 April, “Employ’d watering & stowing the Hold”.  The next day, “The Caulkers employ’d Caulking the ship”.  On 13 April, ““Employ’d getting on board water & wine”.  Two days later, “Employ’d getting on board Water & Bread.  Sway’d up the Fore & Mizzentopmst & rettled the shrouds, then struck them again”.  The next day, “Got off the Rudder & hung it”.

Cooper also wrote about the ships arriving and departing. 

1 April.  “Came in a French & one Dutch East Indiaman”.

2 April.  “Saw an English ship in the Offing.  Sent a Petty Officers with the Cutter to assist her in, she proved to be the Lord North Indiaman, Captⁿ Stanley from England outward Bound”.

4 April.  “Sail’d hence from here 2 Dutch East India ships”.

5 April, “Anchor’d here 2 French ships & the Lord North Indiaman, the latter saluted us with 11 Guns, we return’d 9”.

6 April.  “Came in a Dutch ship & the Royal Charlotte Indiaman, Captⁿ Clements from China homeward bound; she saluted us with 9 Guns, we ret^d 7.  Sail’d a French India ship”.

9 April.  Cooper wrote, “Sail’d from hence a Dutch ship & the Lord North Indiaman who Saluted us with 9 Guns, we ret^d Seven”.

Cook took advantage of the East Indiaman Royal Charlotte.  On 10 April, he wrote to Philip Stephens, Admiralty Secretary, “By the Ceres Captain Newte I had an oppertunity to acquaint you with the Arrival of His Majesty’s Sloop under my Command at this place on the 22nd of last Month.  At the same time I transmited a Journal of my proceedings during the whole Voyage together with every necessary drawing for the illustration of the said Journal.  I am under no doubt but they will arrive safe, but to guard against every accident I thought proper herewith to transmit to you, by the Royal Charlotte Captain Clements, two of the Officers Journals or Log-books, and shall if another oppertunity offers before I leave this place, which will be in twelve or fourteen days, transmit others of the Officers”.

That day, Cooper wrote, “Sail’d from hence the Royal Charlotte who Saluted us with 9 Guns, we ret^d 7”.  The next day, “The Cutter sunk alongside by which we lost the Oars, Masts, Sails, Rudder & Hawser...  Scrubbed the ships sides”.  According to Cook, “Strong gales and squally weather.  The Cutter sunk along side which occasioned the loss of the Masts, Sails and oars, and the Jolly boat broak adrift, drove out to Sea and was lost”.

On 12 April, Cooper wrote, “Came in the Dutton Indiaman, Captⁿ Rice from Bengall homeward Bound, she saluted us with 9 Guns, we ret^d 7”.  She stayed at Cape Town longer than many other East Indiamen. 

An example of the help given by people in different ships is given by Cooper.  On 19 April, “Came in the Colebrook Indiaman, Captⁿ Morris from England, also one Dutch & 2 Spanish ships.  Sail’d from hence 4 Dutch & 4 French ships”.  The next day, “Sail’d from hence 2 Dutch ships, the Caulkers employ’d on board, the Launch employ’d watering the Colebrook”.  Two days later, “The Colebrook Saluted the Captain (Cook) with 11 Guns on his going out of the ship, which we return’d, the Launch employ’d watering”.  The next day, “Struck the Tent & got it on board.  Sailed the Colebrook for Madrass & Bengall”.

Cook wrote about another form of collaboration.  “One of the French that were at Anchor in the Bay was the Ajax Indiaman bound to Pondicherry [a French settlement in India], commanded by Captain [Julien Marie] Crozet, who was Second in Command with Captain Morion [Marion du Fresne], who sailed from this place with two Ships in March 1772... for New Zealand, where in the Bay of isles he and some of his people were killed by the Inhabitants...  Captain Crozet seemed to be a man possessed of the true spirit of a discoverer... he in a very obligeing manner communicated to me a Chart wherein was delineated not only his own discoveries but that of Captain [Yves-Joseph de] Kerguelen, which I found laid down in the very situation where we searched for it, so that I can by no means conceive how both us and the Adventure missed it...  By this Chart it appeared that a Voyage had been made by the French across the South Pacifick Ocean in 1769, under the Command of one Captain [Jean-François-Marie de] Surville, who passed but a few degrees to the West of New Caledonia, fell in with New Zealand at its Northern extremity and put into Doubtless Bay, where it seems he was when I passed it on my former Voyage in the Endeavour.  From New zealand Captain Surville Steered to the East... untill he arrived on the Coast of America where... in attempting to land he was drowned.  These Voyages of the French, tho’ undertaken by private Adventurers, have been productive of some usefull discoveries, as well as contributing in exploaring the Southern Ocean.  That of Captain Surville clears up a Misstake, which I was led into by immagining the Shoals off the West end of New Caledonia to extend to the West as far as New Holland: It proves that there is an open Sea in this space and that we saw the NW extremity of that Country.  From the same gentleman we learnt that it was a Ship from New Spain which had been at Otahiete before our first arrival”. 

Don Domingo de Boenechea and his ship Águila had arrived at Tahiti on 8 November, 1772. 

According to George Forster, some officers from Spanish ships “visited our astronomer, Mr. Wales, and were much pleased with the time-keepers, or new-invented watches, which they saw in his possession, complaining, at the same time, of the inaccuracy of all the astronomical instruments which they obtained from their correspondents at London.  Mr. Wales readily parted with one of his sextants to them, having now, in a manner, completed the voyage”. 

On 25 April, William Wales, the astronomer “Took down the Observatories & Instruments, packed them up, & carried them on board the Ship”. 

The next day, wrote Cook, “having got on board all necessary stores and a fresh supply of Provisions and Water, we took leave of the Governor and other principal officers”.

On 27 April, Cooper wrote, “Unmoor’d & hove short on the Best Bower [anchor]...  At 2 [pm] a Breeze sprung up from the South[war]d, the Dutton & us weigh’d, we Saluted the Garrison with 11 Guns which they return’d; on our passing a Spanish & Swedish ship, they saluted us with 9 Guns each which we ret^d.  According to JR Forster, “We went through the Northern Entrance of the Harbour of Table Bay between the... shore of Africa & Robben Island”.

The naturalist Anders Sparrman, who had joined the ship on its outward visit to the Cape, turned down the offer of a homeward passage “free of charge and with the greatest comfort”, preferring to “explore the unknown interior of the continent”, which he did for another year.

Three other people were discharged while Resolution was at Cape Town.  Richard Gilbert had been engaged on 27 November, 1772, when Resolution was at Cape Town on the outbound part of this voyage.  James Cook and Nathaniel Cook had been added to the muster on 1 August, 1773, when Resolution was at sea, sailing between New Zealand and Tahiti.  These sons of Captain Cook, and had previously appeared on the musters of Endeavour.

Three seamen were taken on during the stay.  John Smith of Bristol, Francis Adams of Cork, Ireland and James Elmes of Suffolk.  After departing Cape Town, Forster wrote on 28 April, “This morning we found a Man in the hold a Hannoverian by birth, who had been engaged in the Dutch Service & wanted now to go home, & by means of one of our Sailors had been concealed, so this had been done without the Cap^t leave, both were punished with a dozen at the Gangway”.  He was John Hendrick.  All four seamen were entered in the musters as having joined on 1 May.

Homeward Bound

Cook had decided to call in at the island of St Helena on the way to England, having done so in Endeavour.  “Depending on the goodness of Mr Kendals Watch [i.e., chronometer], I resolved to try to make the island by a direct course”, which he had not previously done; instead sailing north until he had reached the latitude of the island, and then sailed west.  Forster noted, “Cap^t Rice [in Dutton] lowered his Topgallant-Sails & took his Studding-Sails in order that we might come up with him & sail in Company”.

On 2 May, Cooper wrote, “Serv’d slops [clothes] to the ships Company”.  The following day, Forster reported, “My Animals begin better to eat: & give me hopes of carrying them safe to England”.  However, the next day, “One of my Cape Ibis’s died”.  Then, three days later, “The second Cape Ibis died & one of my small Moss birds”.

On 7 May, Cooper wrote, “We Cross’d the Tropic of Capricorn, the 6th & last time this Voyage”.  The first time was on 24 September, 1772, as Resolution and Adventure were heading south towards Cape Town.  The second time was on 2 August, 1773, as the ships were sailing from New Zealand to Tahiti.  The third time was on 11 October, 1773, as they were sailing from Tonga to New Zealand.  The fourth time was on 20 March, 1774, as they sailed from Easter Island to the Marquesas.  The fifth time was on 2 October, 1774, as they sailed from New Caledonia towards New Zealand. 

Forster noted the wildlife they saw.  On 8 May, “A couple of black Shearwaters attend the Ship”.  Two days later, “Some bonitos were seen, & flying Fish & a Grampus”.  On 12 May, “Saw some Dolphins”.  The next day, “Saw still some Dolphins: & a couple of black Shearwaters”.

St Helena

On 15 May, 1775, Forster wrote, “we saw the island of S^t Helena which seemed to be a high rocky barren Land.  However we could discover inclosures & Trees by our Glasses”.  Cooper “Saw the Island of S^t Helena bearing NWbW”.  It was the last entry in his journal, which now had to be handed in”. 

Cook’s faith in “Mr Kendals Watch” was justified.  He wrote, “it did not deceive us and we made it accordingly”.  Cook “dispatched a boat with an officer to acquaint the Governor who we were, without which no ship is allowed to pass the forts... it was middnight before we got to an Anchor in the Road before the Town or Chappel Vally which is on the NW side of the island”.  

In the morning, “the Castle and Dutton each Saluted us with 13 guns and on my landing to wait on Governor Skottowe I was saluted by the same number from the Castle”.  According to Forster, “We landed at a new constructed landing place with Stairs, which however, has the inconvenience of being much subject to a very high Surf...  M^r Skottowe the Governor received us with that politeness, which the known Goodness of his benevolent heart & candour constantly animate: we were invited to dine with him”. 

Cook “received a very pressing invitation, both from Governor Skottowe and his Lady, a very accomplished Woman and a Native of the island, to take up my aboad with them during my stay and also offered me the use of a Horse to ride out whenever I thought proper”.  At the time of Cook’s visit, the island was still governed by the East India Company.  Since 1764, the Governor had been John Skottowe, the second son of Thomas Skottowe.  Thomas was the Lord of the Manor of Great Ayton, when Cook lived in the village, and employed Cook’s father at Aireyholme Farm.  Thomas also secured James Cook’s initial employment at Staithes in 1745.  We do not know whether James Cook knew John Skottowe when they both lived in Great Ayton. 

Forster “took my Lodgings at M^r Mason’s a Planter of this Isle, where I met with good accomodations & a friendly host”.  Possibly, Benjamin Mason. 

On 17 May, Cook “took a ride into the Country... in company with M^r [John] Stuart [son of the 3rd Earl of Bute, and a passenger in Dutton] and M^r George Forster.  We no sooner got out of the Vally and reached the summit of the first hill then I was agreeably surprised with the prospect of a Country finely diversified with hill and vally, Wood and Lawn and all laid out in inclosures”. 

JR Forster could not go “on account of a Headache which plagued me.  I visited a small Garden the Governor has in Town...  In the afternoon paid a visit to Cap^t [James] Tippet Chief Engineer of the Isle & Commander of the Artillery”.  The next day, Forster “Breakfasted with M^r Carr [a clergyman], & rode into the Country to the Governors Garden, in order to dine with him there...  The Road goes up the Sides of what the Inhabitants call Ladder-Hill”. 

On 19 May, Cook wrote, “the two M^r Forsters and my self dined with a party at the Country house of one M^r Masons, at a remote part of the island, which gave me an oppertunity to see the greatest part of it, and I am well convinced that the island in many particulars has been misrepresented.  It is no wonder that the account which is given of it in the narrative of my former Voyage should have given offence to all the principle Inhabitents.  It was not less mortifying to me when I first read it, which was not till I arrived now at the Cape of Good Hope; for I never had the perusal of the Manuscript nor did I ever hear the whole of it read in the mode it was written, notwithstanding what D^r Hawkesworth has said to the Contrary in the Interduction.  In the narrative, my Country men at S^t Helena are charged with exercising a wanton cruelty over their Slaves, they are also charged with want of ingenuity in not having Wheel Carriages, Wheel Barrow’s and Porters Knotts to facilitate the task of the labourer...  I have seen every one of these three Articles...  How these things came to be thus misrepresented, I can not say, as they came not from me”. 

George Forster commented, “There are many wheelbarrows and several carts on the island, some of which seemed to be studiously placed before captain Cook’s lodgings every day”.  John Hawkes­worth, the editor of the official account of the Endeavour voyage had, in fact, based this part of the narrative on Joseph Banks’s journal.

That evening, wrote JR Forster, “we went to the Governors House, where M^r Graham gave a ball to the Ladies of the Place to which we were likewise invited...  The Company broke not up before 3 o’clock in the Morning” 

On 20 May, Forster wrote, “We examined some plants & Fish & went in the Evening again to a Ball, given by M^r Laurel, graced by the same Ladies & conducted with the same taste & followed as the former by an elegant Supper.  The Dances ended at midnight:  We returned to our Lodgings at about 2 o’clock”.  The next day, he “went to Church & heard a sensible Sermon... by M^r Carr: we dined again at the Governors & after dinner we imediately embarked.  According to Wales, “At 7 Weighed & sailed out the Bay...  The Dutton East Indiaman in Company”.

According to Cook, “in the evening the whole party took leave of the Governor who attended us to the water side and on my going off was saluted with 13 guns from the garrison, and soon as we got under sail and put to Sea with the Dutton in company, were saluted with a like number, which salutes were returned by the Ship.  During the time we lay at this isle we finished some repairs of the Ship, painting and scraping, which we had not time to do at the Cape; we also filled all our empty Water Casks and the crew was served with fresh beef”. 

The East India Company had about 500 soldiers on the island to guard it.  Eight of them were taken aboard Resolution as their period of service had ended, and they now needed to get back to England.  They were Samuel Clare, David Grant, Thomas Green, John Jones, Michael Kerry/Carey, Thomas Rhodes/Roades, Richard Spite/Spight and John White.  The carrying of the soldiers was not recorded by any Cook, Wales or the Forsters.  We know of their existence only from an invoice sent after the voyage by the Victualling Office to the East India Company for the payment of the provisions that the soldiers consumed during the passage.

Ascension

On 23 May, Forster wrote, “The Dutton still in company... Lost one of my Sunkatyes [a small mongoose], a waxbill & had two small Redbeaked Ducks killed by the Dogs...  In the Afternoon a Shower of rain; we had fine wind and saw some flying Fish, & some few Manks Petrels or common Shearwaters”.  Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus).

The next day, Forster “Went about Noon on board the Dutton in order to dine there according to an Invitation we got from these Gentlemen at our departure from S^t Helena.  In the Evening returned on board & we left them, & steered for Ascension”.

Cook gave Captain Rice a letter for Philip Stephens, Admiralty Secretary.  “This is the third Letter I have had the honour to transmit to you sence my Arrival at y^e Cape of Good Hope, the first, which was accompanied by a copy of my Journal & various drawings, was forwarded by y^e Ceres East Indiaman, the Second together with ye Journals of two of y^e Officers, by y^e Royall Charlotte, and this comes by the Dutton with whom I saild from y^e Cape the 27th of last Month.  The probability of this ship being at home before us, as we touch at Assencion and she not, induced me to put on board her Lieutenant Coopers Journal, Some remarks and a chart of Mr Pickersgills, and a Journal kept by one of y^e Mates, this Journal is Accompanied by very accurate charts of all the Discoverys we have made, executed by a Young man who has been bred to the Sea under my care and who has been a very great assistant to me in this way, both in this and my former Voyage”  Probably, Isaac Smith. 

Cook explained in his journal why the two ships were no longer travelling together.  “After leaving St Helena the Dutton was ordered to steer NWBW or NW by Compass, in order to avoide falling in with Ascension at which isle it was said an illicit trade had been carried on between the officers of the [East India] Companies Ships and some Vessels from North America, who of late years have frequented the isle on pretence of fishing for Whales or Catching Turtle, when their real design was to wait the coming of India Ships.  In order to put a stop to this trade, so pernicious to the Company and commerce in general, the Company sent out orders to St Helena to order all their homeward bound ships to steer the Course above mentioned till they are to the northward of Ascinsion, thinking that this Course would carry them clear of these Smuglers”.

On 26 May, Wales wrote, “Broke the Tiller Rope.  Reeved another”.  The next day, noted Forster, “A booby was seen early in the morning...  We saw in the Afternoon several Man of war birds, Tropic-birds & 3 kinds of Boobies, white one with black wings, a quite greyish brown one, & one of the same colour with a white belly”.

On 28 May, Wales wrote, “The white Cliffy Hill which is the highest part of the Island of Ascension bore W b N½N”.  Forster “Saw at 6 o’clock the Isle about 10 leagues distance in a haze...  In the Afternoon we saw when abreast of the Isle innumerable Boobies & Man of war birds.  I shot of each kind one”.  Wales continued, “Sailed round the North of the Island & about 5 oClock Anchored in a Bay [Cross Bay] on the NoWst side...  In coming along the North Side, the Cutter was hoisted out, & Mr [George] Burr, one of the Master’s Mates was  sent with a Party of Men to lie on Shore & turn Turtle if any came on shore in the Night, and immediately after the Ship came to an Anchor the first and third Lieutts [Robert Cooper and Richard Pickersgill] went also on shore with each a Party of Men to two other different Bays for the same Purpose.  Early in the Morning the Cutter was sent to the Turtling Parties & about 11 oClock returned with 4 from Mr Burr & two from the 3rd Lieut; the first Lieut & his Party had no success.

The next day, Wales wrote, “The Whole Island of Ascension seems to be one great heap of Lava or melted Matter with a little Soil on it some Places; but not the least appearance of either Tree or Shrub as far as I went or saw”.  According to Forster, “When it was darknight, we saw a small Ship coming directly for us, we haled her several times & at last she answered; she came from New-York.  A Lieutenant went on board of her, & brought Acct that the Ship was the Lucretia from New-York, the Masters Name Greaves: that he had been at Sierra-Leon & was now come a turtling, for to go to the windward Isles with Turtle, & that he had taken us for a French East Indiaman.  It appeared likewise from his talk, that he had expected to see East-India Ships here, & to trade with them”.  Cook added, “He had been about the island near a Week and had got on board twenty Turtle”.  

On 30 May, Wales wrote, “In the Morning the New York Sloop Sailed; and towards Noon all our Turtle Parties came on Board.  Mr Burr with three, the first Lieut with one; but the third & his Party were unsuccessful.  In looking after the Turtle the Remains of a Wreck was discovered on the No Side of the Island.  By the Beams of some of the Broken Masts, it appeared to have been a Vessel of an moderate size and from several circumstances we conjectured that she had taken fire at Sea & probably been run on Shore here by the Crew with a View of saving their lives.  It did not appear to have been many years”.  Forster noted, “as we wanted wood, the Capt thought best to take some of the wreck”.

Forster “took a long walk ashore to the high white hills...  Having eaten something of a Fowl at the Foot of the hill near a single high Stone close to the dry torrent we emptied a bottle & I wrote on a piece of paper, which I rolled up & put into the bottle, corking it afterwards up the following Words: His Britannic Majesties Sloop Resolution, that sailed eastward round the world Capt Cook Commander.  May ye 30st 1775.  John Reinhold Forster F.RS.  George Forster...  We returned gradually to the Sea-shore... we bathed & found ourselves much refreshed”.  

On 31 May, Forster wrote, “Capt Cook took with the first Lieut & me another walk towards the same hills, but we could not reach them as dinner time drew near & the Capt on acct of a Lumbago & I from my yesterdays Excursion were both much tired...  In the Afternoon we took the boats in, weighed & set sail again”.  Cook compared the taste of these turtles with some he had eaten during the Endeavour voyage, “the flesh of them is not so good as some I have eat on the Coast of New South Wales which were caught on the spot they fed”.  

Fernando de Noronha

Cook, “left Ascension and steered to the Northward... for the Island of Fernando de Norono on the Coast of Brazil, in order to determine its Longitude, as I could not find this had yet been done...  It is but seldom that oppertunities of this kind offer and when they do they are but too often neglected”.  

On 3 June, Forster wrote, “I got an Eruption & a kind of Fever from the heat in Ascension; & now today a loseness”.  The next day, “We saw a grey Booby, several flying Fish & Albecores jumping out of the Water”.   The following day, “Saw again a grey Booby, plenty of flying Fish”.  The next day, “Several of our Ships Company get Fluxes & Rheumatisms, so as nearly to be contracted”.  On 8 June, “saw an immense Quantity of Porpeses, one was struck & broke the Line”.

On 9 June, Wales wrote, “Capt Cook having received from Capt Rice of the Dutton East Indiaman one of the Foxon’s Hydrometers or patent Log-Reels, when at the Island of St Helena, and having hitherto been disappointed of a fair Trial of it, chiefly by the Ship’s Log getting foul of it when hove, to day ordered the Ship’s Log to be discontinued, and the distance run by the Ship was taken by the Hydrometer which from half past Noon to Noon again shewed 83 Miles”.  It used a spiral mechanism, the turns of which were counted to give a more accurate reading than using a log line.

The same day, Cook wrote, “at Noon, we made the Island of Fernando de Norona...  As we drew near the SE end, or part of the isle, we preceived several detatched sunken rocks, lying near a league from the Shore on which the Sea broke in a great surf.  After standing very near these rocks we hoisted our Colours and then bore up round the North end of the isle, or rather a group of little islots, for we could see that the land was divided by narrow Channels.  On the one next the Main island is a strong fort, besides several others on this last mentioned island, all of which seem’d to have every advantage that Nature can give them, and so disposed as wholy to command all the Anchoring and landing places about the island.  We continued to Steer round the Northern point, till the Sandy beaches (befor which is the Road for Shipping) began to appear and untill all the forts and the Peaked hill were open to the westward of the said point.  At this time, and on a gun being fired at one of the forts, the Portuguese Colours were displayed and the example followed by all the other forts.  As the purpose for which I made the island was now answered I had no intention to anchor and therefore after firing a gun to leeward we made sail and stood away to the Northward with a fine fresh gale”,

Wales felt “The Appearance of this Island, usually called Ferdinando de Noronha, is perhaps the most romantic of any in the World, on account of the great Number of very singularly shaped Rocks which are on it, and it is yet further diversified by the irregularity of its Surface.  It is well covered with Wood in those Parts which are not Cultivated, but appears to have many Plantations on it, & is on y^e whole extremely beautiful.  It appears to be strongly fortified, as I saw [for] my self from the Ship six pretty large stone Forts on the N^o W^t side of the Island only”.

On 11 June, Cook wrote, “at 3 o’Clock in the after-noon we crossed the Equator... we had a fresh gale at ESE which blew in Squals attend[ed] by showers of rain”.

On 15 June, Forster wrote, “A small Porpese of the kind called the ancient Dolphin was struck & immediately shared out among the people”.  Presumably, the Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis).  The next day, “3 Sharks were caught & a good many Sucking-Fish were sticking to them”.  Two days later, “caught a Shark, & 3 Sucking-Fish sticking to it”.

On 21 June, Cook wrote, “I ordered the Still to be fitted to the largest Copper, which held about Sixty-four gallons.  The fire was lighted at 4 o’Clock in the Morning and at Six the Still began to run, it was continued till Six o’Clock in the evening in which time we obtained 32 gallons of fresh Water, at the expence of one bushel and a half of Coals, which was about three quarters of a bushel more than what was necessary to have boiled the Ships Companies Victuals only, but the expence of fuel was no object with me.  At this time the Victuals was dressed in the small Copper and the other applyed wholy to the Still and every method made use of to obtain from it the greatest quantity of fresh Water possible, as this was my sole Montive for seting it to work... for I am well convinced that nothing contributes more to the health of Seamen than having plenty of Water”.

On 25 June, Forster wrote, “About 11 o’clock A.M. saw an outward boun[d] Ship, which after­wards hoisted Dutch colours, going probably to Surinam.  She was very large”.   According to Cook, “We saw a Sail to Windward and steering down upon us, we Shortned Sail in order to speak her, but seeing she was Dutch by her Colours we made sail again and left [her] to persue her course which we supposed was to some of the Dutch Settlements in the west Indias”.

On 27 June, Forster wrote, “My Yerbua Capensis died”.  The Cape Jerboa (Dipus capensis).

On 30 June, Cook wrote, “at 2 0’Clock in the Morning... a Ship steering to the Westward passed us within hail, we judged her to be English as they Answered us in that Language, but we could not understand what they said and they were presently out of sight”.

Ian Boreham

Originally published in Cook's Log, page 25, volume 48, number 2 (2025).