Cook's Early Royal Navy Voyages

James Cook joined the Navy in June 1755 as an ordinary seaman, and joined His Majesty's Ship Eagle.
He then joined His Majesty's Ship Solebay as Master.
In 1758 he sailed in His Majesty's Ship Pembroke as Master from Europe to Newfoundland.
Extracts from his log, with commentary, have been published in Cook's Log.
As well as biographies of the captains he sailed under.

Some of these articles are available to be read here.

Why Did James Cook Join the Royal Navy in 1755?
James Cook joined the Royal Navy at Wapping in East London on 17 June 1755.
Why he chose to join at all and why he chose that particular time have puzzled researchers.
It is interesting to speculate as to what might have caused Cook to take the step he did.

Joseph Hamar, James Cook's captain on Eagle from June 1755
Cook's First Naval Captain

Hugh Palliser, James Cook's captain On Eagle From October 1755
Cook's Second Naval Captain

Robert Craig, James Cook's Captain On Solebay In 1757
Cook's Third Naval Captain

June - December 1755
Cook joined the Royal Navy in June 1755 at Wapping in East London as an ordinary seaman.
He joined HMS Eagle at Spithead, and went on patrol off Ireland and in the English Channel.

Royal Navy Ships that Cook mentions in early 1756
Ships of the Royal Navy that Cook mentions in his log during his time on the Eagle and Triton in early 1756.

January - April 1756
Cook was in HMS Eagle, in port and on patrol.
He was given his first command: the Cruizer.

May - June 1756
Cook was sailing in HMS Eagle when she captured the French ship Triton,
which Cook then commanded to Plymouth and onto the River Thames.

July 1756 to June 1757
HMS Eagle captured of the French East Indiaman Duc D'Aquitaine.
Cook, as master's mate, received a small share of the prize money

July to September 1757
Cook was Master of HMS Solebay on patrol off Scotland.