James Cook was appointed to command a ship called Endeavour, which left Plymouth on 26 August, 1768. Information about her and the men who sailed in her can be found below, with links to information found elsewhere on our website Ship Endeavour was built in Whitby, and originally named Earl of Pembroke. More information about her can be found in an article about Endeavour. Main events during this period A list of what Cook was up to preparing for this voyage and during the voyage can be found in Paul Capper's list of First Voyage dates. In each issue of Cook's Log an article appears saying what was happening to Captain Cook 250 years earlier. 1768 January - March At the beginning of January 1768, James Cook, Master of Grenville, was preparing to return to Newfoundland to undertake another season’s survey. In March, Endeavour was chosen. April - June Cook was appointed to Endeavour to prepare her for a voyage to observe the Transit of Venus from the Pacific. July - September Endeavour left Deptford on 21 July, arriving at Plymouth on 14 August. She sailed from there on 25 August, arriving at Madeira on 12 September. Meanwhile, at home a son, Joseph Cook, was born. October - December Endeavour sailed south along the Atlantic Ocean, arriving at Rio de Janeiro on 13 November. She left on 7 December, continuing her journey to Cape Horn. 1769 January - March Endeavour arrived off the coast of Tierra del Fuego, anchored at the Bay of Success, and headed for Tahiti. April - June Endeavour was at Tahiti, where the Transit of Venus was observed. July - September Endeavour sailed from Tahiti, around the Society Islands, then headed south in search of the Southern Continent. A daily update of what was happening on that day 250 years ago can be found on our Daily Activities pages Crew A total of 95 persons sailed in Endeavour, 94 leaving England and one seaman being impressed at Madeira. Replacements for lost crew members were obtained at various ports later in the voyage. Fifty-six of the original 94 reached home 2 years and 11 months later. They are listed below with links to information about them. Note: A.B. is short for Able Bodied seaman Name Position (s) Biographical details Transcript of Will Family Tree ANDERSON, Robert A.B. BOOTIE, John Midshipman CHARLTON, John Captain's servant CHILDS, Joseph A.B. to ship's cook CLERKE, Charles Master's mate to 1st Lieutenant COLLETT, William A.B. COOK, James 1st Lieutenant COX, Matthew A.B. DAWSON, William A.B. DOZEY, John A.B. EVANS, Samuel Quartermaster FLOWER, Peter A.B. FORWOOD, Stephen Gunner GATHREY, John Boatswain GOLDSMITH, Thomas A.B. GOODJOHN, John A.B. GORE, John 3rd Lieutenant to 2nd Lieutenant GRAY, James A.B. to Quartermaster HAITE, Francis A.B. HARDMAN, Thomas Boatswain's mate HARVEY, William A.B. to midshipman HICKS, Zachary 2nd Lieutenant HILL, Richard Servant to the Ship's Master HOWSON, William A.B. and Captain's servant HUGHES, Richard A.B. HUTCHINS, Richard A.B. to boatswain JEFFS, Henry A.B. and Ship's butcher JOHNSON, Isaac A.B. JONES, Samuel A.B. JONES, Thomas Surgeon's servant JORDAN, Benjamin A.B. JORDAN, Thomas Boatswain's servant JOYCE, James A.B. KNIGHT, Thomas A.B. LINDSAY, Alexander A.B. LITTLEBOY, Michael A.B. LITTLEBOY, Richard A.B. MAGRA, James A.B. to Midshipman MANLEY, Isaac George Master's servant to Midshipman MARRA, John A.B. MATTHEWS, Thomas Servant to ship's cook MOLYNEUX, Robert Master MONKHOUSE, Jonathan Midshipman MONKHOUSE, William B. Surgeon MOODY, Samuel A.B. MOREY, Nathaniel Servant to 3rd LIeutenant NICHOLSON, James A.B. NOWELL, George A.B. ORTON, Richard Ship's clerk PARKER, Isaac A.B. PECKOVER, William A.B. PEREIRA, Manoel A.B. PERRY, William Surgeon's mate to Surgeon PICKERSGILL, Richard Master’s Mate PONTO, Antonio A.B. PRAVAL, Charles A.B. RAMSEY, John A.B. RAVENHILL, John Sailmaker READING, John Boatswain's mate REARDEN, Timothy A.B. ROBERTS, Daniel Gunner's servant SATTERLEY, John Carpenter SAUNDERS, Patrick Midshipman SIMMONDS, Thomas A.B. SIMPSON, Alexander A.B. SMITH, Isaac A.B. to Master's Mate STAINSBY, Robert A.B. STEPHENS, Henry A.B. SUTHERLAND, Forbes A.B. TAYLOR, Robert Armourer TERRELL, Edward Carpenter's mate THOMPSON, John Ship's cook THURMAN, John A.B. to Sailmaker's assistant TUNLEY, James A.B. WEIR, Alexander Quartermaster WILKINSON, Francis A.B. to Master's mate WILLIAMS, Charles A.B. WOLFE, Archibald A.B. WOODWORTH, John A.B. YOUNG, Nicholas Surgeon's servant Marines In addition to the ship's crew, Endeavour also carried a number of soldiers from the Marine Service. Their presence helped Captain Cook to maintain order on board. They also provided the Captain with protection whenever he went ashore. Name Position Biographical details Transcript of Will Family Tree BOWLES, John Private DUNSTER, Thomas Private EDGCUMBE, John Sergeant GIBSON, Samuel Private GREENSLADE, William Private JUDGE, William Private PAUL, Henry Private PRESTON, Daniel Private ROSSITER, Thomas Drummer TRUSLOVE, John Corporal WEBB, Clement Private WILSHIRE, William Private Mr. Banks' Party Also on board were a number of scientists who took various measurements during the course of the voyage, and collected natural history specimens from the lands which were visited. Name Position Biographical details Transcript of Will Family Tree ALEXANDER Mr Banks servant BANKS, Joseph Scientist BRISCOE, Peter Mr Banks servant BUCHAN, Alexander Artist DORLTON Mr Banks servant GREEN, Charles Astronomer PARKINSON, Sydney Natural history artist REYNOLDS, John Astronomer's servant RICHMOND Mr Banks servant ROBERTS, James Mr Banks servant SOLANDER, Daniel Naturalist SPORING, Herman Naturalist's assistant TARHETO Tupia's servant TUPIA Tahitian
James Cook was appointed to command a ship called Endeavour, which left Plymouth on 26 August, 1768. Information about her and the men who sailed in her can be found below, with links to information found elsewhere on our website
Ship Endeavour was built in Whitby, and originally named Earl of Pembroke. More information about her can be found in an article about Endeavour.
Main events during this period A list of what Cook was up to preparing for this voyage and during the voyage can be found in Paul Capper's list of First Voyage dates. In each issue of Cook's Log an article appears saying what was happening to Captain Cook 250 years earlier.
A daily update of what was happening on that day 250 years ago can be found on our Daily Activities pages
Crew A total of 95 persons sailed in Endeavour, 94 leaving England and one seaman being impressed at Madeira. Replacements for lost crew members were obtained at various ports later in the voyage. Fifty-six of the original 94 reached home 2 years and 11 months later.
They are listed below with links to information about them. Note: A.B. is short for Able Bodied seaman
Name
Position (s)
Biographical details
Transcript of Will
Family Tree
Marines In addition to the ship's crew, Endeavour also carried a number of soldiers from the Marine Service. Their presence helped Captain Cook to maintain order on board. They also provided the Captain with protection whenever he went ashore.
Position
Mr. Banks' Party Also on board were a number of scientists who took various measurements during the course of the voyage, and collected natural history specimens from the lands which were visited.
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