James Cook held the rank and position of Commander of the sloop Resolution, and Tobias Furneaux was Commander of the sloop Adventure.  However, both people were called by everyone Captain, as was usual for those in charge of ships. 

On 1 January, 1773, the ships were being blown by strong gales as they sailed far southeast of the Cape of Good Hope in search of the Southern Continent.  At 60° 21' South, Cook was the farthest south he had been since 30 January, 1769.  Robert Palliser Cooper, First Lieutenant in Resolution wrote “The Rigging covered with Ice that makes it very difficult to render [cables] thro’ the Blocks”.

Two days later, “the Weather cleared up”, wrote Cook, “and we were favoured with a Sight of the Moon, which we had seen but once before sence we left the Cape [of Good Hope] by which a judgment may be formed of the kind of weather we have had since we have been at sea”. 

The next day, Cooper wrote, “very hard Frost, the Rigging all glaz’d over with transparent Ice from the Mast head to the Deck & exceeding Cold”.  Joseph Gilbert, Master of Resolution, “fired a gun every half hour as a sig[na]l to the Adventure all the time the fogg continues”.  Furneaux noted the “thick fog”, and “fired swivels [guns] as signals to the Resolution which were answered at noon”.

On 5 January Cooper wrote, “Set the [distillation] Still to work which has been constantly done every day when the Weathr would permit”.  The next day, according to the memoirs of John Elliott, a midshipman in Resolution, “Mr [Charles] Loggie Midshipman was Discharged from that Station for having had some Dispute with the Boatswain”, James Gray. 

A break in the weather on 7 January gave Cook “an oppertunity to take some altitudes of the Sun to rectify our Longitude by the Watch [chronometer] and also to assertain the Latitude”, which was calculated to be 60° 41' S.

On 9 January, Johann Reinhold Forster in Resolution “saw several Islands of Ice & a Procellaria antarctica”, which he named the Antarctic Petrel (nowadays Thalassoica antarctica). 

Forster continued, “We altered our Course in order to come up again with a large Island of Ice, off of which we saw a good deal of small Ice, which we intended to take up, after having hoisted out all boats”.  According to Cooper, they “hoisted out the Pinnace & 2 Cutters to take up the Small Ice”.  The men in the boats obtained “about 15 Tons of Fresh Water”, wrote Cook, “the Adventure at the same time got about 8 or 9 and all this done in 5 or 6 hours.  Some pieces of ice were so large “that we were obliged to break them with our Ice Axes before they could be taken into the Boats... part of the Ice we packed in Casks and the rest we Melted in the Copper and filled the Casks up with the Water; the Melting of the Ice is a little tedious and takes up some time, otherwise this is the most expeditious way of Watering I ever met with”.

The next day, Cooper “Punish’d Robt Goulding Carp[enter]s Crew for disobeying orders, 1 dozen”.  So much ice was collected and melted, that on 11 January, Gilbert exclaimed, “Left off distilling from the sea water which were usually done at all opportunities since we left the Cape” of Good Hope.

On 13 January, Forster wrote, “We had Capt Fourneaux to breakfast & dinner”.  Also that day, he commented, “A carpenter called Jackson had been taken with some Symptoms of the Scurvy before we reached the Cape, & them he lost after he had been refreshed with Greens... we had scarcely been out 10 days, when he got quite ulcerated Gums & the Teeth were so loose that they quite sideways.  M^r Patten our Surgeon gave him nothing but Wort or the Infu­sion of Malt & he recovered gradually, so that in about 4 weeks he was perfectly cured, all teeth fast, & the gums as sound as possible”.  George Jackson was a Carpenter’s mate.  James Patten was the surgeon.

Two days later, Forster recorded “very gentle breezes of Wind with tolerable Clear and Serene Weather.  We have now had five tolerable good Days succeeding one another, which have been usefull to us in more ways than one; having on board plenty of Fresh Water as Ice which is the same thing, the People have had an oppertunity to Wash and Dry their Linnen &c^a a thing that was not a little wanting”.

Crossing the Antarctic Circle

On 17 January, Forster “saw great flights of the Antarctic Petrels, sometimes 20 or 30 came at once.  We killed several, but none fell into the Ship...  The Latitude was observed at noon 66° 36' South, & therefore 4 miles South of the Antarctic Circle.  A place where no Navigator ever penetrated before the British nation”.  Cooper wrote, “About ¼ of an hour past 11 we Cross’d the Antarctic Circle, the first Circumnavigators that ever did”.

The next day, Furneaux wrote, “23 large Islands of Ice in sight and the Sea constantly covered with smaller ones so that we could proceed no further to the Southward, tack’d and stood to the Northward being at this hour in Lat^d 67°14' S”.  Forster observed “the Master & the Captain went up the Masthead & saw to the South & South West by South, a solid Field of Ice, so that it would be impossible to proceed”. 

According to Cook, “From the mast head I could see nothing to the Southward but Ice, in the Whole extent from East to WSW without the least appearence of any partition, this immence Feild was composed of different kinds of Ice, such as high Hills or Islands, smaller pieces packed close together and what Greenland men properly call field Ice...  I did not think it was consistent with the Safety of the Sloops or any ways prudent for me to persevere in going farther to the South as the summer was already half spent”.

ording to Charles Clerke, Second Lieutenant in Resolution, “A Vast Number of the Ice Islands in sight ahead of Various sizes—we counted 37—on standing on a little way farther they increased to such a degree that I believe it was totally impossible to determine their number—Been thro’ a great deal of pack’d & loose Ice towards a field which we found to extend from ESE to WSW reaching Southerly beyond the limit of our sight from the Mast Head—it effectively stopt our proceeding to the S[outh]ward by Rendering it impracticable so at ¾ past 6 put about and stood to the N[orth]ward—Our Latitude when we tack’d was 67 11 S”.  Cooper commented, “At ½ past 4 this Morning we Cross’d the Antarctic Circle—the 2^d time”.

On 23 January, Furneaux wrote, “the Resolution made our Signal to keep 4 miles on his Larboard [port] beam, hauled into our station”.  According to Cook, he “spread the Sloops abreast of each other at 4 miles distant in order the better to discover any thing that might lay in our way”.  Four days later, “thick foggy weather” was observed by Furneaux.  “At 4 am the Resolution NBW 1 mile...  At 9 the Resolution made our Signal to keep 6 miles on her larboard beam, hauled into our station”.

On 26 January, Forster recorded “a calm & a great Sea, which rolled our Ship very much”.  The next day, “The calm & the most disagreeable rolling of the Sea continued, which hindered the free circulation of the smoak in the great Cabin, & obliged the Captain to let the Fire entirely go out...  It is a remark of Captain Cook, which I find to be perfectly true that though there be no wind, the Sea is commonly high during a fog...  It seems that the heaviness & weight of the foggy atmosphere keeps up the Swell of the Sea, or gives it a greater impulse”

The next day was clear.  “About 3 o’Clock in the PM”, wrote Cook, “the sun and moon appearing at intervals their Distances were observed”, enabling latitude and longitude to be calculated.  Cooper wrote, “Smoak’d the Ship between Decks with Gunpowder & Vinegar”.  In Adventure, midshipman William Hawkey “saw a Number of Stars, which are the First we have seen for near six Weeks”.

Gales arose the following day driving the ship forward.  Forster saw “several Porpesses swimming alongside of the Ship, with an amazing velocity in all directions.  We went on at the rate of 7½ knot an hour & they went at least at three times that rate”.

30 January proved a remarkable day for Cook as “This is the first and only day we have seen no Ice since we first discovered it”.   The following day, the wind first drove the ship “to the Eastward”, then “to the Westward”, and then she “stood North”.  Cook noted “Some Islands of Ice seen to day”.  As the ship passed one of them Forster saw it “was tumbling to pieces, which always caused an Explosion like that of a fourpounder” cannon firing.   Cook commented on having seen ice every “day sence we first fell in with them from the Latitude of 50°45' to 67°15' and from Longitude 9½°' to 56°48' E, and there can be no doubt of their extending a great way farther, not only to the South but to the East and West”.

The next day, according to the memoirs of Elliott, “M^r Coglan Midshipman was Disc[h]arged from that Station for haveing had a dispute with the Capt^s Servant; and was ordred to do his duty as a Foremastman”.  John Coghlan and William Dawson were the people involved.

On 2 February, Furneaux wrote, “saw a large quantity of Sea weed... Made the Signal to speak with the Resolution, and acquainted them of it”.  Cook considered it “was certainly a great sign of the vicinity of land, but whether it laid to the East or West was not possible for us to know”.  The next day, according to Elliott, “M^r Coglan was Ordred by the Cap^t to his former Duty as Midshipman”.  Four days later, “M^r Loggie was ordred by the Cap^t to his former Duty, as Midshipman”.

Resolution and Adventure Part Company

On 8 February, Cooper wrote, “Thick Foggy weathr.  Fir’d a Gun but the Adventure did not answer it, tho’ we saw her at 8 o’Clock.  Fir’d a Gun every hour till Noon, but did not hear them answered”.  Furneaux wrote, “at 8 the Resolution was about 3 miles distant, very thick fog, at 9 fired a Gun in answer to one from her, the report [i.e. sound of the gun] bore distant from what we expected... soon after we fired another Gun but heard no answer, fired every half hour – at noon thick fog, could see nor hear nothing of the Resolution”.  The next day, Furneaux wrote “at times we thought we saw her... but [at others] we can see nothing of her”.

On 9 and 10 February, the men in Resolution fired a gun every half an hour, and then every hour.  Finally, a false fire was burnt from the mast head. 

On 11 February, Furneaux in Adventure “at noon can see nothing of the Resolution, bore away for our Rendezvous in New Zeland”.  Cook in Resolution, “gave over all hopes of joining her till we arrive at New Zealand which I had appointed to Winter at”, so he “made sail”.

Sloop Adventure Alone

Captain Cook’s instructions to Furneaux in the event of their ships separating were for them to rendezvous at Queen Charlotte Sound, New Zealand.  According to James Burney, second Lieutenant in Adventure, “As Captain Cook intended running to the Southward as far as 55° S[outh], Captain Furneaux thought it most adviseable to Slant to the Southward to 52° 30 S & then haul again to the Nward by degrees till we should be in the Latitude of Van Diemen’s Land.  This was keeping nearly in the middle of Captⁿ Cook and Tasman, & by Sailing in 2 different routs we should be less liable to miss anything in our way”.

The Dutchman Abel Tasman had discovered what is now called Tasmania in 1642.  He had drawn a chart, a copy of which was aboard Adventure. 

On 21 February, 1773, Furneaux “saw a large Island of Ice... hoisted out the Boats and sent them towards the Ice to pick up some, but could get none”.  Five days later, at night we saw a Meteor of an uncommon brightness in the NNW, it directed its’ course to the SW. with a very great light in the southern sky, such as is known to the Northward by the name Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights:  We saw the Lights for several nights running; and what is remarkable we have seen but one Island of Ice since we parted company with the Resolution... tho’ we were most of the time two or three degrees to the Southward of the Latitude we first saw it in”. 

On 1 March, Furneaux “thought we saw the Land on the Larboard bow... hauled the wind towards it... bore away being mistaken in the Sight of the Land”

Adventure at Tasmania

Eight days later, Furneaux “at 9 saw the Land bearing NNE... at ½ past the Southernmost part NEbE, and a Rock about 5 Miles without it, ENE.  Unstowed the Anchor and bent [i.e. attached] the sheet cable.  At noon the Normost land in sight NBW, standing in NNE½E for a Bluff point of Land, seeing several Islands & broken Land to the ESE... At 1 PM hoisted out the Cutter and sent her in shore; at ½ past fired a Gun as a signal for her to return and at 2 she returned”.

Unfortunately, Tasman’s inaccuracies in laying down longitude led to Furneaux misunderstanding where he was, and misidentifying places.  Furneaux continually located his position further east than the places shown on Tasman’s chart.

On 10 March, Furneaux wrote that Adventure was “Standing between the Mewstone (a rock which resembles the Mewstone at Plymouth) and the mainland”.  Mewstone, UK, is the largest offshore island for several miles along the South Devon coast.  It got its name from the old English name for the Herring Gull.  Mewstone, Australia, is an island close to the south coast of Tasmania, not far from Maatsuyker Island. 

d out the Boat and sent her inshore with the 2nd Lieut^t to sound & look for Fresh Water”.  They were at the entrance to Louisa Bay.  James Burney was the officer.  He wrote, “The large Cutter was hoisted out & I was sent in her to see if I could find any fresh Water... by 11 we got into a Small Bay where we saw a Sandy beach but could not land for the Surf—however we soon found a good Landing place on some Rocks.  The first thing we saw when we climbed up was a heap of wood ashes, he remains of a fire which had been kindled there & a great number of Pearl Scollop Shells.  We saw no inhabitants, there was a very good path leading into the woods which would probably have led us some of their Huts, but we could not stay to walk up, the Wind coming too fresh obligd us to think of getting on board again”.

According to Able Seaman John Wilby, the party comprised “our 2nd Lieut^t, a Mate and Midshipman, with 7 hands arm’d...  [at] ½ past 12 got Safe on Board to the great joy of our Shipmates: They hav^g Fired Serv^l Guns as Sig^ls for us, which we heard nothing off”.  That evening, wrote Furneaux, “At 7 came to with the Small Bower [anchor] under a high Cliff, in 24 fathoms fine sand and mudd distant off shore ⅔ of a mile”.

The next day, on 11 March, Furneaux wrote, “At 4 AM hoisted out our boats and sent them inshore to sound.  At 9 they returned having found a good bay — at 10 I weighed, employed working into the Bay.  This I named Adventure Bay”.  It is on the east side of Bruny Island (which was known as Bruni Island until 1918, when the spelling was changed).  “At 6 PM came to with the small bower in 11 fathoms water fine sand: Moored Ship a Cable each way”.  The following morning, wrote Burney, “we sent our Boats on shore to the South Side of the Bay for Wood & Water with a party of marines to guard them, found the Water very brackish... in the Afternoon we found another Watering place, the Water Something better, at Night we hauld the Sean [Seine nets] on shore and caught some fish”.

Furneaux’s entries for the next two days were brief.  “Employ’d wooding & watering”.  According to Burney, on 14 March, “found a Small River with a fine run of excellent fresh water on the West side of the Bay—it lays WBS from a Small Island off the South point of the Bay, this Island we calld Penguin Island from our catching one of those birds there”.  The island is still known by this name. 

On 15 March, Furneaux wrote, “Hoisted in the Launch, unmoor’d & hove Short, at ½ past 9 weighed & made sail out of the Bay, at 11 hoisted in the Boats”.  He wrote a description of the place.  “We found the country very pleasant, the soil of a black rich, tho’ thin one; the sides of the hills covered with large trees and very thick... Out of the trees we cut down for Fire wood there issued some Gum...  The trees are mostly burnt or scorched near the ground, occasioned by the natives setting fire to the underwood, by these means have rendered it easily walking...  While we lay here we saw several smokes and large Fires about Eight or ten miles inshore to the Northward, but did not see any of the Natives, tho’ they frequently come into this bay as there were several Wigwams or hutts, in which we found some bags and netts made of Grass...  We found in one of their huts one of their spears...  Those things we brought away, and left in the room of them, Medals, Gun flints and a few Nails; and an old empty barrel with Iron hoops on it”.

Adventure sailed east, and then north along the east coast of Tasmania.  On 17 March, Wilby, wrote “at Noon gave name to a Bluff Point Call’d it St Patrick’s Head in honour to the Day, have a great number of his Country on Board”.  The next ay, “we were abreast a point which we namd S^t Helens”, wrote Burney.  “From here the Land falls off into a deep Bay which we named the Bay of Fires, as we saw a great many all along the Coast.  Northward of this Bay are Rocks which we called the Eddystone”.  Burney continued, “The Country here affords a very fine prospect, it is low level ground & much better inhabited than any part yet seen by us”.

However, the next day, “to the NW of us are Islands.  At 11 were abrest the SE End of them.  This for its unfruitfull & dreary appearance we called Cape Barren”.  The whole island is now called Cape Barren Island.  It is one of the Furneaux Group of islands that are separated from the northeast point of the island of Tasmania by Banks Strait.  The Group lies at the eastern end of Bass Strait. 

Departure for New Zealand

On 19 March, Furneaux “haul’d up for New Zealand”.  He wrote, “it is my opinion that there is no Streights between New Holland and Van Dieman’s Land, but a very deep bay.  I should have stood further to the Northward, but the wind blowing strong at SSE and looking likely to haul round to the Eastward, which would have blown right on the Land, I therefore thought it more prudent to leave the Coast and steer for New Zealand”. 

Not everyone in the ship was certain that a strait south of Cape Barren did not exist.  Burney wrote on one of his charts, “Suposed Streights or Passage”.  Midshipman Richard Hergest thought “Cape Barren...  Appeared to be an Island and Formed the North head of the Supposed Streight”.

Gales drove Adventure east across the Tasman Sea on most remaining days in March.  On 24 March, Furneaux wrote in his log, “Shipp’d a Sea which stove both Cutters”.  He wrote slightly more in his journal.  “Ship’d a Sea that stove the large Cutter and washed the small one out of her into the waist”.

Sloop Resolution Alone

After failing to find Adventure, Captain Cook on 10 February “gave over all hopes of joining her till we arrive at New Zealand which I had appointed to Winter at and made sail to the SE”.

On 13 February, Cooper wrote, “Smoak’d the Ship between Desks with Gunpowder...  All this after­noon a great number of Penguins about the Ship, which are very diff^t from those seen on the Coast of Newfoundland, being much smaller & no white Ring about the Neck or Eyes.  These spring out of the Water like SkipJacks & has kept way with the Ship.  They have also something Red about the head”.  The birds he saw in Newfoundland in 1766-1770 were not penguins.  Forster described the penguins as “black above, white below, with red bills & a red line extending towards the Eye... they all outstripped the Ship & went a head, but each Flock was soon replaced by a new numerous body coming up from astern & soon going a head, & this continued for more than a hour & a half”.  He later named the penguin Aptenodytes Papua.  It is nowadays known as the Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua). 

Cook considered Resolution’s course, writing “we were only about 160 Leagues to the South of Tasmans track in 1642” and, “this space I expect Captain Furneaux will explore, who I expect is to the North of me”, which he was.

On 15 February, Cooper wrote, “Punish’d Wm Atkinson Seaman, Wm Briscoe Taylor, & Frans Taylor Marine 1 dozn each, also John Buttall Marine & Philip Brotherson Drummer ½ a dozen each for theft”.  His description is a little confusing as William Briscoe was the ship’s tailor.  Francis Taylor and John Buttall were privates in the Marines.  Philip Brotherson was the drummer in the Marines.  William Atkinson was an Able Seaman (AB).  According to Gilbert, Atkinson was given only six lashes, not twelve.

Two days later, Cooper wrote, “Saw an Island of Ice to the NW.  Bore away & stood for it...  Hoisted out the large Cutter & Pinnace & employ’d them bringing on board the Small Ice about the Island”.  Forster was impressed as “it was a most amazing high & bulky piece of Ice, full of cracks & crevices, which looked as blue as Ultramarine, the shades were all blueish, even to the very sumits”.  Cooper added, “Served wine to the Ships Company instead of Grog”.

According to Cook, “Lights were seen in the Heavens similar to those seen in the Northern Hemisphere commonly known by name Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, but I never head of the Aurora Australis being seen before; the officer of the Watch [Clerke] observed that it sometimes broke out in spiral rays and in a circular form, then its light was very strong and its appearance beautifull”.  The Southern Lights were seen again the following night.

On 21 February, Gilbert wrote, “Land suppos’d to be seen to the west...  The supposed land prov’d to be nothing but clouds above the Horizon...  Steer’d for an Island of Ice in order to get water...  Brought too, hoisted out the Boats and sent them to take up Ice to Compleat our water from the small pieces which break off from the Islands”. 

Two days later, Cook “passed this 24 hours 70 or 80 Islands of Ice many of them as large as any we have seen”.  The next day “stood to the South till 8 pm at which time we were in the Latitude of 61° 52' S, the Ice Islands were now so numerous that we had passed upwards of Sixty or Seventy sence noon many of them a mile or a mile and a half in circuit...  These obstacles together with dark nights and the advanced season of the year, discouraged me from carrying into execution a resolution I had taken of crossing the Antarctick Circle once more, accord­ing[ly] at 4 o’Clock in the AM we Tacked and Stood to the North”.

On 24 February, Cooper wrote, “Serv’d Grog to the Ship’s Company instead of wine”.

Four days later, on the last day of February, Forster wrote, “Some time ago our Goat had miscarried by a blow or fall she got in rolling weather & we lost two fine kids.  Our Sow got the day before yesterday 9 pigs all of which perished the same day with cold, for we had not a handfull of Straw on board”. 

On 3 March, “about noon” Cook “saw the Sun which we have not done for these 3 days past”.  The next day, Forster noted “several white & brown Porpesses were about the Ship; one was struck but came off the Harpoon.   The following day, Cook “passed only one Ice Island this 24 hours”.

On 6 March, Clerke wrote, “Captain Cook having Observ’d many of the People in rather a ragged condition, this forenoon he gave them some Needles thread and Buttons, that they may have no excuse for their tatter’d [condition] — they also have every Saturday to themselves to wash &c - that they may likewise have no excuse for a dirty, or improper appearance”.  Midshipman Bowles Mitchel noted that the captain “examined their hands — those who had dirty, suffered the usual punishment (the daily allowance of grog stopped)”. 

Fifteen Weeks at Sea Without Seeing Land

The following day, Mitchel noted “served the people (stopped yesterday) their usual allowance”.  Forster realised “To morrow we are fifteen weeks out at Sea, without ever seeing Land; without other food than what we have on board, consisting in a few lean staring Sheep & Geese, the rest all salt-meat, & our best comfort a preservative Sour-Crout, never a Landbird, never a fresh fish comes to our table”.   The next day, Cooper wrote, “Had the People’s Bedding up to Air & Clean’d between Decks”.

On 9 March, a gale caused Cook to consider the sailing qualities of Resolution.  “By keeping about two or three points from the Wind she went at a great rate and altho we went in the through of the Sea, which as I have just observd run very high, we ship’d no Water to speake of, nor indeed has she done it at any other time.  Upon the whole she goes as dry over the Sea as any ship I ever met with”.  Forster’s comments in his journal were quite different.  “Several Seas broke over the Quarterdeck, came down the Lather & between halfdecks, & as my Cabbin is just opposite I got water in it on more than one place”. 

The next day, according to Clerke, “Fenton one of the Armourers Assistants fell from the Fore Cat-Harpens into the weather Fore Chains and wou’d have been overboard, but was caught with great presence of mind by Solomon Rarden one of the Boatswains Mates who happen’d to be walking the Fore Castle and saw him falling.  He luckily reciev’d no material Hurt”.  Thomas Fenton was saved by Solomon Reading.  Cat harpins were used to tighten the shrouds (large ropes) of the lower masts behind their yards. 

At noon on 14 March, Resolution was at latitude 58° 22' South.  “The Weather became clear and pleasant”, wrote Cook, “and afforded us an opper­tunity to make several observations of the Sun and Moon, the result of those made by M^r Wales (for I did not observe my self) reduced to Noon gave the Longitude 136° 32' E[ast]... [far south of Australia] M^r Kendalls Watch at the same time gave 134° 42' and that of M^r Arnolds gave the same, this is the first and only time they have pointed out the same Longitude sence we left England.  The moderate and I might add pleasant weather we have had at times for these two or three days past made me wish I had been a few degrees of Latitude farther South... but we soon had Weather which convinced me that we were full far enough and that the time was approach­ing when these Seas were not to be navigated without induring intense cold”.  William Wales, the astronomer, was responsible for the chronometers made by Larcum Kendall and John Arnold. 

The next day, Forster explained, “We have been obliged to prepare a better & warmer birth for two Ewes & a Ram, which we wished to bring safe to New Zeeland, no more convenient place could be devised than the space between my & the Masters Cabin.  I was now beset with cattle & stench on both Sides...  My poor Cabin was often penetrated by the wet, & all the many chinks in it admitted the air & the cold from all sides freely”.  He added, “the Cap^t throws hints out of staying all the winter in Queen Charlotte’s Sound”, New Zealand.

On 16 March, Cooper wrote, “Aurora Australis extremely bright & beautiful”.  According to Cook “We continued to steer to the East inclining a little to the South till 5 o’Clock in the AM [of the 17th] at which time we... bore away NE and at Noon steer’d North inclining to the East with a resolution of making the best of my way to New Holland or New Zealand, my sole montive for wishing to make the former is to inform my self whether or no Van Diemens Land makes a part of that continent”. 

Forster noted, “We have now several people that have some scorbutic symptoms, which prove a Scurvy that is gone pretty far, viz. bad Gums, livid Spots, Eruptions, difficult breathing, contracted limbs... but the Use of the Wort, to about 5 pints per day, & the bathing of the contracted limbs in wort & the Application of grains on them, has done very much towards mitigating & in some towards perfectly curing these Symptoms...  The sower-crout has likewise, I believe, done very much towards keeping the people healthy & preventing the Scurvy; we are now more than 16 weeks at Sea & consequently is it no wonder, that some Symptoms of the Scurvy should appear”.

Two days later Cook decided that “As the Wind continued between the North and the West, [it] would not permit me to touch at Van Diemens Land, I shaped my Course for New Zealand”.

On 24 March, Forster “Saw more than 12 or 15 large common Albatrosses from brown to white, & all the intermediate hues: which great number of these birds proves our approaching to land & especially to warmer latitudes”.

Arrival at Dusky Bay / Dusky Sound, NZ

On 25 March, Cooper wrote, “This afternoon pass’d a deal of Weeds...  Saw the Land ahead”.  Gilbert wrote “Pass’d a Quantity of sea weed... Saw the Land at a great dist a head”.

The next day, Cook explained, “Intending to put into Dusky Bay or any other Port I could find on the Southern part of Newzealand, we steered in for the land”.  Forster remarked, “We thought at first, that we were off dusky Bay... but upon a nearer Exam­ination we found that we were to the South of Cape West & Dusky Bay, & had land before us, which they had not seen, when they sailed along the coast three years ago in Endeavour”.  Resolution entered Dusky Bay, now called Dusky Sound, about noon, and anchored at the east end of Anchor Island.   According to Cook, they had been “117 Days at Sea... without once having sight of land...  As I did not like the place we had anchored in I sent Lieut^t Pickersgill over to the SE side of the Bay to look for a more convenient Harbour while I went my self to the other side”.  The next morning, Cook moved the ship, and “anchored in Mr Pickersgills Harbour... and moored her head and stern to the Trees”. 

On 28 March, Cook wrote, “some of the officers went up the Bay in a small Boat on a shooting party, but returned again before noon and reported that they had seen Inhabitants”.  Wales, having already found a place for an observatory, cleared “away the Ground; and I believe that before dinner I had cut down and destroyed more Trees & curious shrubs & Plants, than would in London have sold for one hundred Pounds”. 

The next day, wrote Cook, “one small double Canoe in which were Eight of the natives appeared again and came within musquet shott of the Ship where they [were] looking at us for about half an hour or more and then retired”.  In the afternoon, “Mr Forster with his party were out Botanizing”. 

On 30 March, Cook “cleared places in the Woods near the Brook and set up Tents for the Water[er]s, Coopers, Sailmakers &c^a”. 

On the last day of March, Wales was “Still employed cutting down Trees, and erecting the Observatory”.

Ian Boreham

Originally published in Cook's Log, page 23, volume 46, number 1 (2023).