The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
A View of Christmas Harbour, in Kerguelen’s Land.
THE
THREE
VOYAGES
OF
CAPTAIN JAMES COOK
ROUND THE WORLD.
COMPLETE
In Seven Volumes.
WITH MAP AND OTHER PLATES.
VOL. V.
BEING THE FIRST OF THE THIRD VOYAGE.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR
LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN,
PATERNOSTER-ROW.
1821.
London:
Printed by A. & R. Spottiswoode,
New-Street-Square.
CONTENTS
OF
THE FIFTH VOLUME.
| THIRD VOYAGE. | |
| Introduction to the Third Voyage | Page 3 |
| Inscription to the Memory of Captain James Cook. | 85 |
| [BOOK I.] | |
| Transactions from the Beginning of the Voyage till our Departure from New Zealand. | |
| [CHAP. I.] | |
| Various Preparations for the Voyage.—Omai’s Behaviour on embarking.—Observations for determining the Longitude of Sheerness and the North Foreland.—Passage of the Resolution from Deptford to Plymouth.—Employments there.—Complements of the Crews of both Ships, and Names of the Officers.—Observations to fix the Longitude of Plymouth.—Departure of the Resolution | 89 |
| [CHAP. II.] | |
| Passage of the Resolution to Teneriffe.—Reception there.—Description of Santa Cruz Road.—Refreshments to be met with.—Observations for fixing the Longitude of Teneriffe.—Some Account of the Island.—Botanical Observations.—Cities of Santa Cruz and Laguna.—Agriculture.—Air and Climate.—Commerce.—Inhabitants | 101 |
| [CHAP. III.] | |
| Departure from Teneriffe.—Danger of the Ship near Bonavista.—Isle of Mayo.—Port Praya.—Precautions against the Rain and sultry Weather in the Neighbourhood of the Equator.—Position of the Coast of Brazil.—Arrival at the Cape of Good Hope.—Transactions there.—Junction of the Discovery.—Mr. Anderson’s Journey up the Country.—Astronomical Observations.—Nautical Remarks on the Passage from England to the Cape, with regard to the Currents and the Variation | 115 |
| [CHAP. IV.] | |
| The two Ships leave the Cape of Good Hope.—Two Islands, named Prince Edward’s, seen, and their appearance described.—Kerguelen’s Land visited.—Arrival in Christmas Harbour.—Occurrences there.—Description of it | 135 |
| [CHAP. V.] | |
| Departure from Christmas Harbour.—Range along the Coast, to discover its Position and Extent.—Several Promontories and Bays, and a Peninsula, described and named.—Danger from Shoals.—Another Harbour and a Sound.—Mr. Anderson’s Observations on the natural Productions, Animals, Soil, &c. of Kerguelen’s Land | 153 |
| [CHAP. VI.] | |
| Passage from Kerguelen’s to Van Diemen’s Land.—Arrival in Adventure Bay.—Incidents there.—Interviews with the Natives.—Their Persons and Dress described.—Account of their Behaviour.—Table of the Longitude, Latitude, and Variation.—Mr. Anderson’s Observations on the natural Productions of the Country, on the Inhabitants, and their Language | 172 |
| [CHAP. VII.] | |
| The Passage from Van Diemen’s Land to New Zealand.—Employments in Queen Charlotte’s Sound.—Transactions with the Natives there.—Intelligence about the Massacre of the Adventure’s Boat’s Crew.—Account of the Chief who headed the Party on that Occasion.—Of the two young Men who embark to attend Omai.—Various Remarks on the Inhabitants.—Astronomical and Nautical Observations | 197 |
| [CHAP. VIII.] | |
| Mr. Anderson’s Remarks on the Country near Queen Charlotte’s Sound.—The Soil.—Climate.—Weather.—Winds.—Trees.—Plants.—Birds.—Fish.—Other Animals.—Of the Inhabitants.—Description of their Persons.—Their Dress.—Ornaments.—Habitations.—Boats.—Food and Cookery.—Arts.—Weapons.—Cruelty to Prisoners.—Various Customs.—Specimen of their Language | 221 |
| [BOOK II.] | |
| From leaving New Zealand, to our Arrival at Otaheite, or the Society Islands. | |
| [CHAP. I.] | |
| Prosecution of the Voyage.—Behaviour of the Two New Zealanders on board.—Unfavourable Winds.—An Island called Mangeea discovered.—The Coast of it examined.—Transactions with the Natives.—An Account of their Persons, Dress, and Canoe.—Description of the Island.—A Specimen of the Language.—Disposition of the Inhabitants | 240 |
| [CHAP. II.] | |
| The Discovery of an Island called Wateeoo.—Its Coasts examined.—Visits from the Natives on board the Ships.—Messrs. Gore, Burney, and Anderson, with Omai sent on Shore.—Mr. Anderson’s Narrative of their Reception.—Omai’s expedient to prevent their being detained.—His meeting with some of his Countrymen, and their distressful Voyage.—Further Account of Wateeoo, and of its Inhabitants | 251 |
| [CHAP. III.] | |
| Wenooa-ette, or Otakootaia, visited.—Account of that Island, and of its Produce.—Hervey’s Island, or Terougge mou Attooa, found to be inhabited.—Transactions with the Natives, Their Persons, Dress, Language, Canoes.—Fruitless Attempt to land there.—Reasons for bearing away for the Friendly Islands.—Palmerston’s Island touched at.—Description of the two Places where the Boats landed.—Refreshments obtained there.—Conjectures on the formation of such low Islands.—Arrival at the Friendly Island | 274 |
| [CHAP. IV.] | |
| Intercourse with the Natives of Komango, and other Islands.—Arrival at Annamooka.—Transactions there.—Feenou, a principal Chief from Tongataboo, comes on a Visit.—The Manner of his Reception in the Island, and on board.—Instances of the pilfering Disposition of the Natives.—Some Account of Annamooka.—The Passage from it to Hapaee | 292 |
| [CHAP. V.] | |
| Arrival of the Ships at Hapaee, and friendly Reception there.—Presents and Solemnities on the Occasion.—Single Combats with Clubs.—Wrestling and Boxing Matches.—Female Combatants.—Marines exercised.—A Dance performed by Men.—Fireworks exhibited.—The Night-entertainments of Singing and Dancing particularly described | 307 |
| [CHAP. VI.] | |
| Description of Lefooga.—Its cultivated State.—Its Extent.—Transactions there.—A Female Oculist.—Singular Expedients for shaving off the Hair.—The Ships change their Station.—A remarkable Mount and Stone.—Description of Hoolaiva.—Account of Poulaho, King of the Friendly Islands.—Respectful Manner in which he is treated by his People.—Departure from the Hapaee Islands.—Some Account of Kotoo.—Return of the Ships to Annamooka.—Poulaho and Feenou meet.—Arrival at Tongataboo | 320 |
| [CHAP. VII.] | |
| Friendly Reception at Tongataboo.—Manner of distributing a baked Hog and Kava to Poulaho’s Attendants.—The Observatory, &c. erected.—The Village where the Chiefs reside, and the adjoining Country described.—Interviews with Mareewagee, and Toobou, and the King’s Son—A grand Haiva, or Entertainment of Songs and Dances, given by Mareewagee.—Exhibition of Fireworks.—Manner of Wrestling and Boxing.—Distribution of the Cattle.—Thefts committed by the Natives. Poulaho, and the other Chiefs, confined on that Account.—Poulaho’s Present, and Haiva | 340 |
| [CHAP. VIII.] | |
| Some of the Officers plundered by the Natives.—A Fishing Party.—A Visit to Poulaho.—A Fiatooka described.—Observations on the Country Entertainment at Poulaho’s House.—His Mourning Ceremony.—Of the Kava Plant, and the Manner of preparing the Liquor.—Account of Onevy, a little Island.—One of the Natives wounded by a Sentinel.—Messrs. King and Anderson visit the King’s Brother.—Their Entertainment.—Another Mourning Ceremony.—Manner of passing the Night.—Remarks on the Country they passed through.—Preparations made for sailing.—An Eclipse of the Sun, imperfectly observed.—Mr. Anderson’s Account of the Island, and its Productions | 368 |
| [CHAP. IX.] | |
| A grand Solemnity called Natche, in Honour of the King’s Son, performed.—The Processions and other Ceremonies, during the first day, described.—The Manner of passing the Night at the King’s House.—Continuation of the Solemnity, the next Day.—Conjectures about the Nature of it.—Departure from Tongataboo, and Arrival at Eooa.—Account of that Island, and Transactions there | 393 |
| [CHAP. X.] | |
| Advantages derived from visiting the Friendly Islands.—Best Articles for Traffic.—Refreshments that may be procured.—The Number of the Islands, and their Names.—Keppel’s and Boscawen’s Islands belong to them.—Account of Vavaoo,—of Hamoa,—of Feejee.—Voyages of the Natives in their Canoes. Difficulty of procuring exact Information.—Persons of the Inhabitants of both Sexes.—Their Colour.—Diseases.—Their general Character.—Manner of wearing their Hair,—of puncturing their Bodies.—Their Clothing and Ornaments.—Personal Cleanliness | 418 |
| [CHAP. XI.] | |
| Employments of the Women at the Friendly Islands.—Of the Men.—Agriculture.—Construction of their Houses.—Their working Tools.—Cordage, and fishing Implements.—Musical Instruments.—Weapons.—Food, and Cookery.—Amusements.—Marriage.—Mourning Ceremonies for the Dead.—Their Divinities.—Notions about the Soul, and a future State.—Their Places of Worship.—Government.—Manner of paying Obeisance to the King.—Account of the Royal Family.—Remarks on their Language, and a Specimen of it.—Nautical, and other Observations | 443 |
A
VOYAGE
TO THE
PACIFIC OCEAN,
TO DETERMINE
THE POSITION AND EXTENT OF THE WEST SIDE OF NORTH AMERICA;
ITS DISTANCE FROM ASIA; AND THE PRACTICABILITY
OF A NORTHERN PASSAGE TO EUROPE.
PERFORMED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
CAPTAINS COOK, CLERKE, AND GORE,
IN HIS MAJESTY’S SHIPS THE RESOLUTION AND DISCOVERY,
IN THE YEARS 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, and 1780.
VOL. I.
WRITTEN BY CAPTAIN COOK.
INTRODUCTION
TO THE
VOYAGE TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN.
The spirit of discovery, which had long animated the European nations, having, after its arduous and successful exertions during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, gradually subsided, and for a considerable time lain dormant, began to revive in Great Britain in the late reign[[1]]; and recovered all its former activity, under the cherishing influence, and munificent encouragement, of his present Majesty.
Soon after his accession to the throne, having happily closed the destructive operations of war, he turned his thoughts to enterprizes more humane, but not less brilliant, adapted to the season of returning peace. While every liberal art, and useful study, flourished under his patronage at home, his superintending care was extended to such branches of knowledge as required distant examination and inquiry; and his ships, after bringing back victory and conquest from every quarter of the known world, were now employed in opening friendly communications with its hitherto unexplored recesses.
In the prosecution of an object so worthy of the Monarch of a great commercial people, one voyage followed another in close succession; and we may add, in regular gradation. What Byron[[2]] had begun, Wallis[[3]] and Carteret[[4]] soon improved. Their success gave birth to a far more extensive plan of discovery, carried into execution, in two subsequent voyages, conducted by Cook.[[5]] And that nothing might be left unattempted, though much had been already done, the same commander, whose professional skill could only be equalled by the persevering diligence with which he had exerted it, in the course of his former researches, was called upon, once more, to resume, or rather to complete, the survey of the globe. Accordingly, another voyage was undertaken in 1776; which, though last in the order of time, was far from being the least considerable, with respect to the extent and importance of its objects; yet, still, far less fortunate than any of the former, as those objects were not accomplished, but at the expence of the valuable life of its conductor.
When plans, calculated to be of general utility, are carried into execution with partial views, and upon interested motives, it is natural to attempt to confine, within some narrow circle, the advantages which might have been derived to the world at large by an unreserved disclosure of all that had been effected. And, upon this principle, it has too frequently been considered as sound policy, perhaps, in this country, as well as amongst some of our neighbours, to affect to draw a veil of secrecy over the result of enterprizes to discover and explore unknown quarters of the globe. It is to the honour of the present reign, that more liberal views have been now adopted. Our late voyages, from the very extensive objects proposed by them, could not but convey useful information to every European nation; and, indeed, to every nation, however remote, which cultivates commerce, and is acquainted with navigation: and that information has most laudably been afforded. The same enlarged and benevolent spirit, which ordered these several expeditions to be undertaken, has also taken care that the result of their various discoveries should be authentically recorded. And the transactions of the five first voyages round the world having, in due time, been communicated[[6]], under the authority of his Majesty’s naval minister; those of the sixth, which, besides revisiting many of the former discoveries in the Southern, carried its operations into untrodden paths in the Northern hemisphere, are, under the same sanction, now submitted to the public in these volumes.
One great plan of nautical investigation having been pursued throughout, it is obvious, that the several voyages have a close connection, and that an exact recollection of what had been aimed at, and effected, in those that preceded, will throw considerable light on our period. With a view, therefore, to assist the reader in forming a just estimate of the additional information conveyed by this publication, it may not be improper to lay before him a short, though comprehensive, abstract of the principal objects that had been previously accomplished, arranged in such a manner, as may serve to unite, into one point of view, the various articles which lie scattered through the voluminous Journals already in the hands of the public; those compiled by Dr. Hawkesworth; and that which was written by Captain Cook himself. By thus shewing what had been formerly done, how much still remained for subsequent examination, will be more apparent; and it will be better understood on what grounds, though the ships of his Majesty had already circumnavigated the world five different times, in the course of about ten years, another voyage should still be thought expedient.
There will be a farther use in giving such an abstract a place in this Introduction. The plan of discovery, carried on in so many successive expeditions, being now, we may take upon us to say, in a great measure completed; by summing up the final result, we shall be better able to do justice to the benevolent purposes it was designed to answer; and a solid foundation will be laid, on which we may build a satisfactory answer to a question, sometimes asked by a peevish refinement and ignorant malevolence, What beneficial consequences, if any, have followed, or are likely to follow, to the discoverers, or to the discovered, to the common interests of humanity, or to the increase of useful knowledge, from all our boasted attempts to explore the distant recesses of the globe?
The general object of the several voyages round the world, undertaken by the command of his Majesty, prior to that related in this work, was to search for unknown tracts of land that might exist within the bosom of the immense expanse of ocean that occupies the whole southern hemisphere.
Within that space, so few researches had been made, before our time, and those few researches had been made so imperfectly, that the result of them, as communicated to the world in any narration, had rather served to create uncertainty, than to convey information; to deceive the credulous, rather than to satisfy the judicious inquirer; by blending the true geography of above half the superficies of the earth, with an endless variety of plausible conjectures, suggested by ingenious speculation; of idle tales, handed down by obscure tradition; or of bold fictions, invented by deliberate falsehood.
It would have been very unfortunate, indeed, if five different circumnavigators of the globe, some of them at least, if not all, in tracks little known, and less frequented, had produced no discoveries, to reward the difficulties and perils unavoidably encountered. But the following review will furnish the most satisfactory proofs, that his Majesty’s instructions have been executed with ability; and that the repeated visits of his ships to the southern hemisphere have very considerably added to our stock of geographical knowledge.