James Cook was a courageous explorer. He was most well known for his discovery of the Sandwich Islands, although he also found Hawaii. He was the Commander of three voyages to the west. He also sailed around the world twice.

James Cook was born on October 27, 1728 in Marton, now known as Middlesbourgh, England. He was an assistant at a shipping company at the age of 18. In 1775 at the age of 27 he had joined the Navy. By the time it was 1768, he was voted leader of the expedition to New Zealand. One year later in 1769 he was the first European explorer to go to New Zealand.

When Cook was assigned leader, he was the commander of the journey to Tahiti to inspect the solar eclipses made by Venus. The trip was successful. On his first voyage around the world he sailed in a ship called “Endeavour”. At that time he was also searching for the lands of the south. That voyage was not a success. However, Cook’s ships were the first British ship to return to England with out the outbreak of the sickness scurvy. By serving his crew fresh fruit and saurkraut Cook prevented the illness.

On another one of Cook’s expeditions, he was said to be the European that went the furthest south. He traveled around Antarctica in one of his ships called “Resolution”. But all the ice around the continent prevented them from seeing any land. Until 1840, the land of Antarctica had not yet been sighted. In 1775, he went back to England and was assigned captain. In 1776, he went off again on his third voyage on the same ship “Resolution”. His goal was to find land further west. During that time, he also discovered the Hawaiian Islands.

On a dreadful day in 1779, Captain Cook was stabbed to death by some native Hawaiians while he was examining a robbery on a local ship. His crew decided to leave and continue the voyage in 1780. To the Europeans, Cook was one of the greatest explorers in his time. He being the one who discovered Hawaii, New Zealand, and part of North America. He should be remembered as a great explorer!

Letter to The King and Queen of England

Dear King and Queen of England,

Thank you so much for sponsoring my trip. I send you my deepest gratitude. unfortunately I could not make it back... I have discovered more than I ever dreamed of and I ow it all to you. I was the first European to travel so far south I discovered New Zealand. I found Hawaii and some of North America. I have sailed around the world twice something know one in my time has done. So once again my heart will always be with you make shore that my crew is well treated for I did not do all the work they deserve all of my glory.

Captain James Cook