On 1 October, 1776, James Cook held the rank of Post-captain, so should have been in command of a third rate ship.  However, he had been appointed to Resolution, a sloop.  Charles Clerke was Com­mander of the companion sloop Discovery.  Both men were called Captain by everyone, as was usual for those in charge of ships. 

Resolution had left Plymouth on 12 July for a voyage to the North Pacific Ocean to find a passage to the North Atlantic Ocean.  Discovery had been delayed at Plymouth, departing only on 1 August.  The ships were due to rendezvous at the Cape of Good Hope.

Resolution is Alone in October and November

On 3 October, Resolution was in the South Atlantic.  Lieutenant James King wrote, “Got some of y^e Sails & Slops [clothing] which were wet upon the Deck to Air.  Carpenters caulking ye Main Deck”. 

Resolution was sailing towards Cape Town, a Dutch colony, so steps were taken in case of un­expected enemy action.  The next day, King “Exercis’d y^e Boats Crews at small Arms”.  William Anderson, the Surgeon, saw, “some Fulmars (Procellaria glacialis Linmfi), a Port Egmont hen (Larus cattaractes Linnaei), and a large Chocolate colour’d or brown Petrel with a whitish bill...  We also saw a very large flock of the blue petrels which I have (in former voyages) observ’d to be the case on approaching land or ice”.

On 5 October, William Harvey, master’s mate, wrote, “Brot too and hoisted the small Cutter out to take up a Canvas buckett that was dropt overboard, when return’d hoisted in & made sail”.  The next day, “Hoistd the small Cutter out to shoot Birds”.  Anderson saw “a small species of Penguin with a red face and white spot on the upper part of the head.  The breast is white & the upper part black.  Caught two Pintado birds with a hook & line, and a boat being hoisted out shot an Aequinoctial Petrel, two blue petrels and a Mother Care s chicken (ocellaria plagia Linnæi)”.  Boats were used to shoot birds on the following two days.

Caulking also continued.  On 8 October, King wrote, “Carpenters caulking ye Main Deck”.  The next day, “caulking y^e Fore-Castle”.  Two days later, “caulking y^e Quarter Deck”.

On 17 October, King wrote, “½ past 5 [AM] Saw a Sail in ye SE...  [At 2 PM] Saw y^e Land bearing SEbE...  Squally with Rain & a great NW Sea, standing off for y^e Night”.  According to Anderson, “About two in the afternoon saw the land about the Cape of good hope, & when it cleard a little knew it to be the hills at Table bay.  We stood on till six in the evening when we were within a mile or less of Penguin island and then tack’d and stood to the westward.  The wind blowing fresh into the Bay was the reason that we did not run in especially as there was scarcely sufficient day light for our purpose”.

The next day, King wrote, “Standing in for Table Bay...  The Ship’s Company have been during this Passage [from England] in general very healthy, a Quarter Master [Thomas Roberts] excepted, who has been ill ever since Our leaving England.  We must attribute this Healtiness of y^e Crew to Our having had weekly y^e Ship between Decks smoak’d with Gun Powder, to their having as much sour Krout as they choose, & a good Beer which is not yet expended; & not a little must be attributed to y^e Surgeon who gave Punch & Work to those of Scorbutic Habits & was always very attentive to those ailing &ca...  Hoisted y^e Cutter out & sent her ashore with ye 3rd Lieut^t [John Williamson], when return’d saluted y^e Garrison w^th 11 Guns, was returned y^e same Numbers”.

On 19 October, Cook wrote in his journal, “I obtained leave to set up our observatory wherever I thought proper, tents for the Sailmakers and Coopers and to bring the Cattle on shore to graze near our tents and… order’d soft bread, fresh meat and Greens to be provided every day for the ships company”. 

King wrote, “Hoisted y^e Boats out; Recd 287 lbs Fresh Mutton for y^e Use of y^e Ship’s Company which We serve as well as Bread & Greens during our Stay here; We likewise fire y^e Morning & Evening Gun”.  Anderson “Went on shore in the afternoon to live while the ship remaind at this place”.  William Crotch joined Resolution as an able seaman (AB).

On 21 October, King wrote, “Punish’d Tho^s Price, Evans Evans, Mich Spencer, & James King Seaman [not James King, lieutenant], with 6 Lashes each for Drunkenness & Neglect of Duty”.  The next day, punished “Mr [William] Hunt, Armourer, for making counterfeit Money & defrauding y^e Natives with it”.

Letters Home

On 27 October, King wrote, “At 6AM Came in here y^e Hampshire East Indiaman, Cap^t Timbrel, from Bencoolen [Sumatra], saluted with 13 Guns, return’d 11.  Sent our Boats to assist them”.  On 5 November, Cook wrote to his printer, William Strahan, “The Hampshire Indiaman being here on her turn home, affords me an oppertunity to write to my friends in England”.  The next day she sailed for England, and Cook wrote in his journal, “I sent home in her an invalided [William Herold] which Captain Trimble was so obliging as to receive on board, and I was afterwards sorry I did not send home two or three more who were trobled with different complaints [probably Alexander McIntosh, Thomas Roberts and William Watman], but at this time there was some hopes of their recovering”.  On 8 November, Mathew Dailey joined Resolution as an able seaman (AB).

Cook also used other ships as he wrote on 28 November to the Admiralty Secretary, Philip Stephens, “‘I did myself the Honour to write to you by a French Ship on the 23d of last month, and by the Hampshire Indiaman on the 5th Instant”.

We know from surviving letters that Cook also wrote to the First Lord of the Admiralty, the Earl of Sandwich, and to the artist during Cook’s Second Voyage, William Hodges.  Other people who wrote home were James King to the politician and family friend Edmund Burke, and David Samwell to a friend in Liverpool, Matthew Gregson,

On 8 November, Mathew Dailey joined Resolution as an able seaman (AB).  Two days later, King wrote, “Came in & anchor’d His Majesty’s Vessel Discovery, Our Consort.  We gave each other three Cheers”.

Discovery is Alone in October and November

On 2 October, Discovery was in the South Atlantic.  Clerke wrote, “aird some of the Warrant Officers Stores”.  The same day, and for the next three days, Tomas Edgar, her Master, wrote, “Carpenters repairing the Jolly boat”.  On 6 October, Clerke wrote, “This Forenoon punish’d Joseph Pool, Marine with a dozen Lashes for quarelling & fighting”.  The next day Edgar “Got the small Cutter upon Deck”, which the carpenters repaired for the next few days.  They then repaired the large cutter.

On 13 October, Clerke wrote, “Reevd a New Tiller Rope, the old one being worn unserviceable...  The People at their leisure it being a Sunday”.  Eight days later, “This Forenoon serv’d Vinegar to the Ships Company, all of whom, thanks to Divine Provi­dence, are in a most perfect State of Health.  Exercis’d Small Arms, and air’d some of the spare Sails”.

On 24 October, Clerke wrote, we are “anxious for the sight of our Consort the Resolution & our fellow Travellers on board her.  We are now but 250 Leagues from the Cape [of Good Hope]”.  Two days later, “Read the Articles of War to the Ships Company & muster’d them”.  The next day, “Hither­to my people have been at three Watches which I think has a very happy effect upon their Health &c, but this Evening I thought it necessary to put them to two Watches, as we are very liable to heavy Squalls, which we cannot be too well prepar’d to receive, & I carry all possible Sail being exceedingly anxious for a Sight of the Resolution.  Thanks to Providence we have not a single man in the Doctors List”.

On 5 November, Clerke wrote, “Two or three of the People are complaining of Colds &c, through this bad Weather”.  Three days later, “Punish’d Wm Passmore with 12 lashes for contempt to his superior Officer”.  He was an able seaman (AB).  The next day, “At 4 [AM] saw the Table Hill bearing EbS...  Making all Sail for the Land...  Variable light airs...  hoisted out the Boats & towed...  At 11 [PM] having had it some time calm and being able to make not the least way, let go the best Bower [anchor]... but it had not been gone 5 Minutes before a hard Squall from the S^oward drove both it & the Ship towards Penguin Islands, so got up the Anchor & made sail again”.

On 10 November, Clerke wrote, “at 1 AM we let go the Best Bower [anchor] again...  At 6, having light variable winds... weighed & made sail, with the Boats ahead towing.  Run by & saluted the Resolution with three Cheers, which they returned.  At 9 came too with the Best Bower, in Table Bay.  Saluted the Garrison with 13 Guns, to which they  returned an equal Number...  Receivd on board fresh Meat for the Ships Company...  In the morning whilst we were working into the Bay, some officers of the Police came on board, as is customary here, to enquire the state of Health of the People and see that there was no contagious distemper among them; they likewise give a Paper containing an Account of the best Method of mooring here, and the Signals which in case of bad Weather will be made by the Dutch Commodore for the Security of their own Fleet”.

Resolution and Discovery Together Again

On 12 November, Robert Armstrong joined Discovery as an able seaman (AB)

Cook wrote to William Ewen, Boatswain in Resolution, “Whereas Captain Clerke has represent­ed to me by letter of this date that His Majesty’s Sloop the Discovery under his Command is in want of NO 1 Canvas, he having expended nearly all he was at first supplied with in enlarging his Courses which he found deficient in size to answer their intended purpose; You are therefore hereby required & directed to supply the Boatswain of the said Sloop with seventy two Yards”. 

On 14 November, King wrote, “Sent y^e Caulkers to assist in caulking y^e Discovery.  Harvey noted, “Punish’d Jn^o Perkins Marine with 12 lashes & [Richard] Young, Seaman with 6 lashes for neglect of Duty”.

On 16 November, Anderson wrote, “In the forenoon at ten o clock set out in a waggon with five more to take a view of some part of the country.  We cross’d the large plain that lyes to the eastward of the town…  Between six and seven we arriv’d at Stellen­bosh the colony next to the Cape for its importance.  The village does not consist of more than thirty houses”.  The next day, “Employ’d in searching for Plants and insects about Stellenbosh but had little success as few plants are in flower at this season and insects but scarce”.  The following day, “In the afternoon we cross’d the country and pass’d a few plantations…  In the evening we arriv’d at a farm house [from where we had] a view of Drakenstein, the third Colony of this country, which lyes along by the foot of the lofty hills”. 

On 19 November, Anderson wrote, “In the forenoon went in quest of plants and Insects which I found almost as scarce as at Stellenbosh...  In the afternoon went to see a stone of a remarkable size call’d by the Inhabitants the Tower of Babel or the Pearl [Paarl] Diamond”.  The next day, “In the morning we set out from the Pearl and going a different road from that by which we came pass’d through a country wholly uncultivated till we got near the Tyger hills, when some tolerable cornfields appear’d.  At noon we stopp’d in a hollow to refresh, but in walking about here were plagued with a vast number of Muskitoes or sand flies which were the first I saw in the country.  In the afternoon set out again & in the evening arriv’d at the Cape tir’d with the jolting Waggon”.

Final Preparations before Sailing Together

On 20 November, Cook ordered Richard Collett, an able seaman in Discovery, “Whereas Captain Clerke of His Majesty’s Sloop the Discovery has represented to me by letter of this date, that no Master at Arms have been appointed to the sloop under his Command; and as he is satisfied with your abilities to act in that station, You are hereby required and directed forthwith to take upon you the duty of Master at Arms in her accordingly”.

On 22 November, Clerke wrote, “Got on board our Powder & Fireworks gain”.  Harvey in Resolution, “Rec’d onboard the Bull, 2 Cows, 6 Calves”.  The next day, “Carp[enters] fixing stalls for the Cattle... Rec’d onboard 4 Horses”.

On 26 November, Harvey wrote “Punish’d W^m Bradley, Seaman with 12 Lashes for Drunkenness & absenting himself without leave”.  William Brown, a marine in Discovery deserted.  The next day, Daniel Bowles, another able seaman in Discovery deserted.  What happened to them is not recorded.

More letters home were written including one from Cook to Sandwich saying, “we are at length ready to put to sea and proceed on the Voyage, having on board Provisions for two years and upwards.  Nothing is wanting but a few females of our own species to make the Resolution a Compleate ark, for I have taken the liberty to add considerably to the number of animals your Lordship was pleased to order to be put on board in England : as my intention for so doing is for the good of posterity... The takeing on board some horses has made Omai compleatly happy, he consented with raptures to give up his Cabbin to make room for them”.

On 28 November, Harvey in Resolution, “Hoisted the Launch in... stowd the Anchor”.  In Discovery, Clerke “Employ’d making all compleat for Sea... Got the Sheet Anchor upon the Gunwale.  Hoisted in the Launch and Cutter”.  William Williams joined Discovery as Carpenter’s crew.

Cook formally wrote to Clerke, “In case of separation by bad weather or any other unavoidable accident, you are first to look for me where you last saw me, not finding me in twenty four hours, You are to proceed to Queen Charlotte’s Sound in New Zealand...  and there wait fourteen days, and if not joined by me before the expiration of that time you are to proceed to the island of Otaheite”. 

On 30 November, Anderson wrote, “Having com­pleted our stock of provisions &c we saild from Table bay in the afternoon with our Consort the Discovery, and were going out by the eastward passage but falling calm we both anchor’d near Penguin Island soon after dark...  We carried from this place (besides a Bull, two Cows and some calves which were brought from England) two stone horses, two mares, three young Bulls, three heifers, twenty goats & a good number of sheep to leave at the different places we might touch at where those animals are not to be found”.  Clerke, “At 2 [PM} unmoord took up the Small [anchor] and hove short upon our best Bower [anchor].  At ½ past 5 weigh’d and made sail in company with his Majesties Sloop Resolution who saluted the Fort with 9 Guns to which they return’d an equal Number”.

At some time during this stay at the Cape of Good Hope, John Webber, the artist in Resolution, painted his first portrait of Cook.  Cook is depicted wearing a dark blue captain’s uniform.  From the pose and attitude, it appears to have been used as the model for the later full-length paintings made after the ships returned to London.

Another Search for the Southern Continent

On 1 December, Anderson wrote, “At three in the morning both Ships weigh’d and... steerd wbs after clearing the [Penguin] Island”.  Harvey, “Punish’d Tho^s Harford Marine with 6 Lashes for selling his Cloathes”.  Edgar in Discovery, “Put the Ship’s Company to ²/₃ of allowance of Bread”.  The next day, Harvey in Resolution “Served Slops to the Ship’s Comp^y”, and Clerke in Discovery serv’d Slops to the People”.  Slops were clothes, or material from which to make clothes.

On 3 December, King wrote, “The moderate Weather We have had hitherto has been very favourable to y^e Stock, by getting them conveniently disposed & accustoming them to y^e Ship.  The Captⁿ takes great pains in ordering & seeing all things disposed to their Preservation”.  The next day in Discovery, Clerke “Serv’d Brandy to the People, our Wine being out”.  William Bayly, astronomer in the ship, wrote, “Strong gales & Squally with an exceeding heavy Sea...  The sea frequently broke over the Ship with great Violence, running down the hatches so that the Water between decks was Ankle deep”.

On 5 December, King wrote, “The Ship labouring a good deal, very leaky between Decks...  Three Sheep died last Night from y^e bad Weather”.  The next day, “I was sent on board y^e Discovery by Captⁿ Cook to Captⁿ Clerke... compared the Time Keepers [chronometers]”.

On 7 December, Clerke wrote, “We have a very singular appearance in the Water; in various places there are red Streaks (as deep colour’d as blood) some yards wide extending beyond our vision.  I believe them a kind of Prawn or Shrimp”.  They were Lobster Krill (Munida gregaria).  The next day, “We have a heavy Southerly Sea running to day which tumbles us about most confoundedly”.  Three days later, “Punish’d Fulke Lowe, Seaman, with a dozen Lashes for drunkenness and neglect”.

On 12 December, King wrote, “At ½ past 4 [PM} Saw y^e Land bearing South, which We found to be an Island upon approaching it, & soon after saw another Island...  At 7 Sailing between y^e Islands...  At 9 Bore away”.  Anderson commented, “At first we were doubtful about its being land as the weather was cloudy, but soon after it was seen more distinctly and in a little time our suspicions were remov’d by our Consort also making a signal for seeing it [Marion Island].  At this time it appear’d of a moderate height (upon the weather Bow) and as if partly cover’d with snow.  About two o clock we saw some more land to Leeward & soon after as it clear’d a little could perceive it to be a small island of a moderate height [Prince Edward Island].  Between six and seven in the evening were passing betwixt the two islands the eastermost of which is only about six or eight miles in circumference...  We knew these to be the two first Islands discover’d by M Marion a french Navigator in 177[2] whose position of them agrees with ours”.  According to Bayly, “These Islands seem to be the habitation of Seals & Sea fowls only, for there did not appear to be any human being on them”.

Cook wrote in his journal, “As these islands have no name in the French Chart, I shall distinguish the two we have seen by the name of Prince Edwards Islands after His Majestys 4^th Son”.  Prince Edward Augustus, fourth son of George III, later had a daughter who became Queen Victoria.

On 15 December, King wrote, “The Captⁿ takes great Pains in preserving y^e Animals We have on board, nevertheless these Past 4 Days 4 Goats, & all ye young Kids are dead: indeed No one knowing y^e Purposes for which they are intended, but feels for any Accidents befalling them.  We also have serious Concerns on Our own Account, for our Cabbins, & all between Decks leak as bad as before we got to y^e Cape.  We did hope y^e caulking the Ship had there, would have remov’d that Evil which altho’ not a pressing One, leaves room for Anticipation”.

The next day, King wrote, “foggy Weather...  Fir’d a Swivel [gun as a] Signal for our Consort...  Discovery in Sight”.  Clerke wrote, “At 2 [PM] the Fog was so thick, that we lost sight of the Resolution; at 3 she fir’d a Gun which we answerd with another, frequent ringing the Bell &c.  Between 3 & 4 the Fog in some Measure was dispelld, and we again got sight of her”.

On 17 December, Anderson wrote, “at eight at night the man at the mast head thinking he saw land through the haze we tack’d and stood to the N^oward, making the signal for the Discovery to do the same”.  Clerke wrote, “I’ve seen some Albatrosses, many Petrel of various sorts & heard Penguins.  At 8 [PM] the Resolution fir’d a Gun & tack’d.  Tack’d Ship”.  The next day, Anderson added, “We found the appearance of land last night had only been a fog bank”.

On 19 December, Clerke wrote, “At ½ past 7 it became very hazy, foggy weather, the Resolution then bore SE½E, distant about ½ a Mile.  We soon after lost all appearance of her, by the fog becoming thicker.  As I heard no Signals I was much afraid we had lost here; however I continued under the same Sail, & at 10 fird a Gun, but heard no Answer.  At 11 the fog clearing away, we saw her bearing ESE, 1 mile distant”.  The following day, “At some Intervals the Fog so thick as wholly to obscure the Resolution from our Sight; in the Night burn’d false fires to be observ’d by her”.

On 21 December, Anderson wrote, “we now near the situation of some land discoverd in 1772 by M Kerguelin which we look’d for in vain in 1773, being then uncertain of its true situation”.  Clerke wrote, “This is a most importunate Fog; it intrudes itself upon us at present very inconveniently.  We are now nearly where Mons^r Kerguelen has laid down the Land he discoverd in 1772...  This we want to take a look at; but the confounded foggy Atmosphere renders exploring a miserable business”.

On 23 December, King wrote, “A thick Fog, fir’d a Gun Signal to our Consort...  Saw y^e Discovery... Punish’d John Jackson Marine to 6 Lashes for fighting”.  Clerke wrote, “At ½ past 1 the Resolution bore NE 2 Miles; very soon after the Weather became so thick, that we lost sight of her altogether.  At 3 she fir’d a Gun which we answered.  At 6 the Fog in some measure dispelling we again got sight of here, bearing NNE ½ a League”.

Kerguelen Island

On 24 December, Anderson wrote, “At six in the morning saw Land (we had tack’d in the first of the morning and were standing to the westward) bearing sbw three or four leagues distant [Îsle de Croy].  We steer’d to the southward and at seven were not far from the place first seen.  It is a high steep island rising in one uniform body (but sloping towards each end) not above three leagues in length and to all appearance perfectly barren.  At the same time we saw another nearly of the same figure and dimensions about three leagues to the eastward [Ile Roland], and between them two smaller flat islands [Îles de Ternay] with two large rocks between the last and the eastermost.  At a greater distance we saw another between the two flat islands and the westermost, of the same figure with the last [Île de Clugny], and there appear’d another flat island between the two others and the rocks whose size could not be seen for haze [Kerguelen Island].  We now steerd ENE towards [it]... about six [PM] we steer’d towards... a bay... but the wind being variable and gentle were oblig’d to anchor a little way off...  Our Consort being astern was near two hours later and then anchor’d with us”.

On 25 December, Anderson wrote, “Early in the morning we weigh’d and worked into the Bay... and at ten in the forenoon anchor’d within a quarter of a mile of the beach at its bottom...  The Discovery did not get up till three in the afternoon when she brought to without us, and we suppos’d her delay was owing to the ebb tide carrying her out as she was later than we, but found it had been occasion’d by the fluke of the anchor breaking and she driving a little before it was notic’d.  Several of our people were sent on shore to cut grass for the live stock and kill some seals for oil”.  Clerke wrote, “At 5 we weigh’d as did the Resolution, to work farther into the Bay...  We found the Palm of our small Bower [anchor] broke from the Arm when we took it up this Morning.  It has certainly been very badly welded, for we have bid no straining at all...  At ½ past 2 [PM] Anchor’d with the best Bower [anchor]”.

The next day, Anderson wrote, “The people employ’d in watering the Ship”.  The following day, “One of the people when walking on shore found a quart bottle fastend with a piece of wire to a projecting rock which containd a piece of parchment with this superscription, Ludovico XV galliarum rege et d de Boynes regi a secretis ad res maritimas anis 1772 & 1773, to which I gave the following interpretation, Under (i e this expedition made) Lewis the XV^th King of the Gauls and the Duke de Boynes secretary to the maritime affairs to the King in the years 1772 and 1773.  We celebrated our Christmas to day being otherwise employ’d on the 25th, and the night being clear invited some small birds to serenade us as if to convince us that chearfullness was the portion of the contented in the most desolate situation”.

Cook “display’d the British flag and named the harbour Christmas harbour as we entered it on that Festival”.  It is now known as Baie de l’Oiseau.

On 28 December, Anderson wrote, “the bottle found yesterday was put upon some stones rais’d on a little hill abreast of the ship, on the north side of the bay, and the following sentence wrote on the other side of the parchment, Naves Resolution & Discovery de Rege magnæ Brittanie Dec^r 1776.  At the same time a flag was hoisted as I believe to signify our taking po’session of this place for his Majesty”.  The next day, “At five in the morning weigh’d and saild out of the Bay being soon after follow’d by the Discovery…  anchor’d about five [PM] on the west side of a pretty large Bay”.  Cook named it “Port Palleser in honour of my worthy friend Admiral Sr Hugh Pallisser”. 

On 30 December, Anderson wrote, “At six in the morning we left the bay and... directed our course ESE along the coast”.  Cook wrote in his journal, “We had scarce finished takeing the bearing at noon, before we observed low land…  it proved to be the very eastern extremity of this land, and I named it Cape Sandwich in honour of my Noble Patron the Earl of Sandwich”.  Clerke added, “In the Evening we found we had run the length of this Isle and that we were off the S.Eastern extreme.  It now came on thick hazy Weather, and having pretty clearly determin’d the limits of this Discovery, we bore away and made all sail to the Eastward”.

On 31 December, Gilbert wrote “we lost sight of this land which we called the Island of Desolation.  It is about 40 or 50 Leagues in extent and uninhabited being too barren for any Human being to exist upon”.  Anderson noted, “Three of the heifers and some young goats have died since we arriv’d at Kerguelen land, which is perhaps owing partly to the severity of the weather and partly to the sudden change from dry food to grass”.

Ian Boreham

Originally published in Cook's Log, page 43, volume 49, number 4 (2026).