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First Voyage

 

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      

 

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Congratulations for the 250th anniversary
By Ignacio Jáuregui-Lobera (Spain) on 3/11/2018 12:26:54 PM Like:0 DisLike:0
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Judith, the above tables include all of the men who sailed around the world on Endeavour. Some of the 19 who joined Endeavour at Batavia have been listed, as they provided a significant contribution to the voyage home. None of the 10 who joined the ship at Cape of Good Hope have been included. Please let me know if you feel that there are other names that merit inclusion.
By Cliff Thornton on 2/19/2018 2:07:17 PM Like:1 DisLike:0
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Not all members of the crew are listed. Am I correct?
All the best, Judith
By Judith Bowker Gristina on 2/15/2018 2:37:44 PM Like:1 DisLike:0
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