James Cook, English Explorer

by Photo Researchers

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James Cook, English Explorer

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Photo Researchers

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Captain James Cook (1728-1779) was an English explorer, navigator and cartographer who ultimately rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Navy. Cook made detailed maps of Newfoundland prior to making three voyages to the Pacific Ocean, during which he achieved the first European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands, as well as the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand. Cook was attacked and killed by the natives, on the beach at Kealakekua Bay in Hawaii, February 14th, 1779. Because he had originally been regarded as a god by the natives, his heart was divided between tribal chiefs and eaten. His hands were stuffed with salt to preserve them and many of his bones were placed around the island, given to other significant tribal chiefs. His remains were then returned to his crew in dignified fashion, with a cloak of white and black feathers, where they were placed in a small coffin and buried at sea.

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March 7th, 2013

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