James Cook and his voyages

Our James Cook collection showcases the Library’s most famous item - Cook’s HMS Endeavour journal. It covers Cook’s 3 voyages in the Pacific and Indian Oceans from 1768 to 1779. The collection includes firsthand records of his travels, such as logbooks, drawings, artefacts, and letters from Sir Joseph Banks and other crew members.

Collection highlights

An antique world map titled 'General Chart' showing the discoveries made by Captain James Cook during his voyages.

Lieut Henry Roberts, A general chart exhibiting the discoveries made by Capt. James Cook in this and his two preceding voyages, 1789, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-230604992

A vintage map of the Southern Hemisphere, titled "Tabula Hemisphaerii Australis." The map displays the continents surrounding the South Pole, including parts of South America, Africa, and Australia, with regions like New Guinea and New Zealand also visible. The map includes lines of latitude, longitude, and the Antarctic Circle, with some coastal areas marked by detailed geographic notations. The map is hand-colored and styled with cartographic elements typical of the 18th century.

I. C. Rhode, Tabula geographica hemisphaerii Australis ad emendatiora quae adhuc prodierunt exempla jussu, 1740, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-232531068

A detailed map of New South Wales, Australia, highlighting the state's geographic features, towns, districts, and boundaries as they were in the late 19th or early 20th century. The map is color-coded to differentiate between counties and regions, with major towns and cities marked. The eastern coastal areas, adjacent to the Pacific Ocean, display more densely populated regions, while the western areas show large, sparsely populated districts.

Edward Stanford Ltd, New South Wales, 1893, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-232641720

Key items in the collection

This collection hosts a range of formats, including:

The Endeavour journal of James Cook

Acquired in 1923, it has been featured in many exhibitions. In 2001, it was the first Australian item added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. While other first voyage journals are partly in Cook's hand, MS 1 is the only one entirely written by Cook, covering the entire Endeavour voyage. Early entries from 1768, as the ship crossed the Atlantic, are brief, but detailed passages describe Cook's experiences in Tahiti, New Zealand, and New South Wales in 1769-70. The journal is 753 pages long and was originally a series of paper volumes and loose sheets, later bound into a single volume in the late 19th century. Its current oak and pigskin binding dates from 1976.

The Endeavour letterbook 1768-71

The Endeavour letterbook, in the hand of Cook's clerk, Richard Orton, contains copies of Cook's correspondence with the Admiralty and the various branches of the Navy Board. Of particular importance are the original and additional secret instructions that he received from the Lords of the Admiralty in July 1768.

Log of H.M.S. Endeavour, 1768-1770

The other item is a log of the voyage, ending with the arrival in Batavia. The writer is not known, although it may have been Charles Green, the astronomer.

Papers of Joseph Banks 1745-1923

Other documents concerning the voyage are among the papers of Joseph Banks including his letters to the Viceroy of Brazil in 1768 and the 'Hints' of the Earl of Morton, the president of the Royal Society.

Journal of H.M.S. Resolution, 1772-1775

The Library holds a facsimile copy of the journal of HMS Resolution on the second voyage, the original of which is in the National Maritime Museum in London. It is in the hand of Cook's clerk, William Dawson.

James Burney journal 1772-177

We also hold the journal James Burney, a midshipman on HMS Adventure, covering the first part of the voyage in 1772–73. It includes a map of eastern Van Diemen's Land and Burney's transcription of Tongan music.

Letterbook of the Resolution 1771-1778

We hold the letterbook for both the second and third voyages.

Documents of the third voyage and death of Cook 1779

Documents of the third voyage include an account of the death of Cook, probably dictated by Burney.

Alexander Home Journals, 1777-1779

Two manuscripts of Alexander Home. They contain descriptions of Tahiti and Kamtschatka and another account of Cook's death.

Description of the sea coast of Nova Scotia, 1762

The earliest manuscript of Cook in the collection is his description of the coast of Nova Scotia, with two maps of Harbour Grace and Carbonere, dating from 1762.

Original family letters of Cook 1776-1926

The Library holds original letters of Cook written to John Harrison, George Perry, Sir Philip Stephens and the Commissioners of Victualling. There is also in the Nan Kivell Collection a group of papers and letters of the Cook family, 1776–1926.

Manuscript maps

The only manuscript maps drawn by Cook held in the Library are the 2 maps of Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia, contained in MS 5. The map by James Burney of Van Diemen’s Land, contained in his 1773–74 journal, is the only manuscript map in the Library emanating from Cook’s three Pacific voyages.

First voyage maps (1773 and 1774)

On the first voyage most of the surveys were carried out by Cook himself, assisted by Robert Molyneux, the master, and Richard Pickersgill, the master’s mate. Cook produced some of the fair charts, but it seems that most were drawn by Isaac Smith, one of the midshipmen. After the voyage the larger charts were engraved by William Whitchurch and a number of engravers worked on the smaller maps. The Library holds nine maps (six sheets) and five coastal views (one sheet) published in 1773, as well as two French maps of New Zealand and New South Wales based on Cook’s discoveries (1774).

Second voyage maps (1777)

Cook and Pickersgill, who had been promoted to lieutenant, carried out most of the surveys on the second voyage. Others were performed by Joseph Gilbert, master of the Resolution, Peter Fannin, master of the Adventure, the astronomer William Wales and James Burney. Isaac Smith, the master’s mate, again drew most of the fair charts of the voyage and William Whitchurch again did most of the engravings. The Library holds 15 maps (10 sheets) published in 1777.

Third voyage maps (1784 – 1786)

On the third voyage, Cook seems to have produced very few charts. Most of the surveys were carried out by William Bligh, master of the Resolution, and Thomas Edgar, master of the Discovery. Henry Roberts, the master’s mate and a competent artist, made the fair charts and after the voyage he drew the compilation charts from which the engraved plates were produced. Alexander Dalrymple supervised the engravings. The Library holds five maps and five coastal views published in 1784–86.

Many records relating to the voyages of Cook have been microfilmed at the National Archives (formerly the Public Record Office) in London and other archives and libraries in Britain. They include the official log of HMS Endeavour and the private journals kept by Cook on his second and third voyages. The reels with the prefixes PRO or M were filmed by the Australian Joint Copying Project.

Letters

Logbooks

Admiralty and Secretariat logbooks, 1737-1971

HMS Adventure, 1772–74
HMS Resolution, 1772–75
HMS Discovery, 1776–79
HMS Resolution, 1779
HMS Resolution, 1771–80
HMS Discovery, 1776–79
HMS Endeavour, 1768–71
HMS Resolution, 1771–79
Log of Lieut. Charles Clerke on HMS Resolution, 1772–75

Observations

Discovery of methods of measuring longitude at sea

HMS Adventure, 1772–74
HMS Resolution, 1772–75
Journal of Capt. J. Cook: observations on variations in compass and chronometer rates, 1776
Astronomical observations, HMS Resolution, 1778–80

Ship’s musters

Royal Navy Ships’ musters series

HMS Endeavour, 1768–71
HMS Adventure, 1769–74
HMS Resolution, 1771–75
HMS Discovery, 1776–80
HMS Resolution, 1776–80

Journals

Pacific journals and logbooks

Journal of Capt. Tobias Furneaux on HMS Adventure, 1772–74 (British Library)
Journal of Lieut. James Burney on HMS Discovery, 1776–79 (British Library)
Journal of Thomas Edgar on HMS Discovery, 1776–79
Drawings of William Hodges on voyage of HMS Resolution, 1772–74 (British Library)

Journals of Capt. James Cook on HMS Resolution

HMS Resolution, 1771–74 (British Library)
HMS Resolution, 1776–79 (British Library)

Journals of Capt. James Cook on HMS Resolution

HMS Resolution, 1771–74 (British Library)
HMS Resolution, 1776–79 (British Library)

Journal of David Samwell

HMS Resolution and Discovery, 1776–79 (British Library)

Not-digitised

Charts and drawings

Charts and tracings of Australian and New Zealand coastlines by R. Pickersgill and Capt. James Cook, 1769–70 (Hydrographic Department)

Personal items

The Library holds a number of objects that allegedly belonged to Cook, including his walking stick and a mahogany and rosewood fall-front desk that was believed to have been used by Cook on one of his voyages. A spirit level owned by Alexander Hood, the master’s mate on HMS Resolution in 1772–75.

Cook’s walking stick
Cook’s clothes brush
Fork used by Cook
Mahogany fall-front bureau owned by Cook
Compass, protractor, ruler and spirit level owned by Alexander Hood

Medals

Three of the medals issued by the Royal Society in 1784 to commemorate the achievements of Cook are held in the Library. Another medal issued in 1823 to commemorate his voyages is also held.

Tapa cloth

The Library has several collections of tapa cloth, including a piece of cloth and two reed maps brought back by Alexander Hood in 1774 and a catalogue of 56 specimens of cloth collected on Cook’s three voyages (1787).

James Cook Portraits

We hold a vast collection of engraved portraits of Captain James Cook, many inspired by artists like Nathaniel Dance, William Hodges, and John Webber. There are also two oil portraits by unknown artists, including a copy of Dance’s work held at the National Maritime Museum in London. A highlight is a large oil painting by John Mortimer, possibly from 1771, showing Cook alongside Daniel Solander, Joseph Banks, John Hawkesworth, and Lord Sandwich.

Endeavour Voyage Artists

Two artists joined Cook on the Endeavour: Alexander Buchan, who passed away in Tahiti in 1769, and Sydney Parkinson, who died in Batavia in 1771. We have a few original works attributed to Parkinson, including a watercolour of breadfruit in the Nan Kivell Collection. Additionally, we hold prints from the 1773 publications of Hawkesworth and Parkinson, featuring scenes such as a Tahitian house interior, Point Venus, Matavai Bay, Māori warriors, New Zealand landscapes, and Endeavour River.

Resolution Voyage with William Hodges

William Hodges served as the artist on the Resolution from 1772 to 1775. Our collection includes 18 exceptional chalk drawings by Hodges, portraying Pacific Islanders from New Zealand, Tahiti, Tonga, and other islands. We also have an oil painting of a dodo and red parakeet, as well as watercolours of Tahiti and Point Venus. Two pen and wash drawings of the Resolution by midshipman John Elliott and various prints of Pacific Island scenes, including portraits of Omai, are also part of the collection.

John Webber and William Ellis on the Later Voyages

John Webber, the artist on Cook’s final voyage (1776–80), created landscapes of Tahiti, Alaska, and the Sandwich Islands. Our Library holds 19 of his watercolours and drawings, as well as oil portraits of John Gore and James King. Another talented artist, William Ellis, who was the surgeon’s mate on the Discovery, is represented by 23 watercolours and drawings of scenes in Kerguelen Island, New Zealand, and other locations. A special piece by Ellis, showing the Resolution and Discovery moored in Adventure Bay in 1777, is one of the earliest Australian artworks in our collection.

Omai: Polynesia’s First Visitor to London

Omai, the first Polynesian to visit London, was the subject of many portraits, including a pencil drawing by Sir Joshua Reynolds. A pantomime about Omai, titled Omai, or a Trip Round the World, was a hit in London in 1785–86. The Library holds 17 watercolour costume designs for this pantomime, created by Philippe de Loutherbourg and based on Webber’s drawings. The designs include depictions of Omai, Tahitian royalty, and figures from Kamchatka.

Biographical works and related studies

There are a huge number of books and pamphlets on the lives of Cook, Banks and their associates. The following are some of the more substantial works:

Michael Alexander, Omai, noble savage (1977)
J.C. Beaglehole, The life of Captain James Cook (1974)
Walter Besant, Captain Cook (1890)
Geoffrey Blainey, Sea of dangers: Captain Cook and his rivals (2008)
Hector Cameron, Sir Joseph Banks, K.B., P.R.S.: the autocrat of the philosophers (1952)
D.J. Carr, Sydney Parkinson, artist of Cook's Endeavour voyage (1983)
Harold B. Carter, Sir Joseph Banks, 1743–1820 (1988)
Vanessa Collingridge, Captain Cook: obsession and betrayal in the New World (2002)
Richard Connaughton, Omai, the Prince who never was (2005)
Martin Dugard, Farther than any man: the rise and fall of Captain James Cook (2001)
Edward Duyker, Nature's argonaut: Daniel Solander 1733–1782: naturalist and voyager with Cook and Banks (1998)
Rupert Furneaux, Tobias Furneaux, circumnavigator (1960)
John Gascoigne, Captain Cook: voyager between worlds (2007)
Michael E. Hoare, The tactless philosopher: Johann Reinhold Forster (1729–98) (1976)
Richard Hough, Captain James Cook: a biography (1994)
Andrew Kippis, The life of Captain James Cook (1788)
Arthur Kitson, Captain James Cook, RN, FRS, the circumnavigator (1907)
Charles Lyte, Sir Joseph Banks: 18th Century explorer, botanist and entrepreneur (1980)
John McAleer and Nigel Rigby, Captain Cook and the Pacific: art, exploration & empire (2017)
E.H. McCormick, Omai: Pacific envoy (1977)
Frank McLynn, Captain Cook: master of the seas (2011)
John N. Molony, Captain James Cook: claiming the Great South Land (2016)
Peter Moore, Endeavour: the ship and the attitude that changed the world (2018)
Rob Mundle, Cook (2013)
Maria Nugent, Captain Cook was here (2009)
Gananath Obeyesekere, The apotheosis of Captain Cook: European mythmaking in the Pacific (1992)
Patrick O'Brian, Joseph Banks, a life (1987)
Rex Rienits and Thea Rienits, The voyages of Captain Cook, 1968)
John Robson, Captain Cook's war and peace: the Royal Navy years 1755-1768 (2009)
Marshall Sahlins, How 'natives' think: about Captain Cook, for example (1995)
Thomas P. Saine, Georg Forster (1972)
Edward Smith, The life of Sir Joseph Banks, president of the Royal Society (1911)
Nicholas Thomas, Cook: The extraordinary voyages of Captain James Cook (2003)
Alan Villiers, Captain Cook, the seamen's seaman: a study of the great discoverer (1967)

About Cook’s voyages

First voyage (1768–1771)

Cook was promoted to lieutenant and given command of the Endeavour to observe the transit of Venus and search for a southern continent. The expedition included scientists and artists led by Joseph Banks. They sailed from Plymouth to Tahiti, then to New Zealand, and along the east coast of Australia. Cook charted the coast and collected botanical specimens at Botany Bay. The voyage concluded in Batavia (Jakarta), with many crew members dying of malaria and dysentery before returning to England in 1771.

Second voyage (1772–1775)

Cook, now a captain, led the Resolution and Adventure to confirm the existence of the Great Southern Continent. The ships explored the southern Indian Ocean, New Zealand, the Pacific islands, and the Antarctic Circle, reaching 71°10’S. The Adventure returned to England after a fatal encounter with Māori in New Zealand, while the Resolution continued exploring the southern Pacific, visiting various islands before returning to England in 1775.

Third voyage (1776–1780)

Cook's final voyage aimed to find the North-West Passage. The Resolution and Discovery visited Cape Town, Kerguelen Island, Van Diemen’s Land, and New Zealand, then sailed to the Hawaiian Islands and the North American coast. They reached the Bering Strait before ice forced them to turn back. Cook was killed in Hawaii in 1779, and the expedition, led by Clerke and later Gore and King, returned to England in 1780.

Background to the collection

The earliest acquisitions by the Library of original works concerning Cook’s voyages were the papers of Sir Joseph Banks and a painting of John Webber, which were acquired from E.A. Petherick in 1909. In 1923 the Australian Government purchased at a Sotheby’s sale in London the Endeavour journal of James Cook, together with four other Cook documents that had been in the possession of the Bolckow family in Yorkshire. The manuscripts of Alexander Home were purchased from the Museum Bookstore in London in 1925, while the journal of James Burney was received with the Ferguson Collection in 1970. A facsimile copy of the journal of the Resolution in 1772–75 was presented by Queen Elizabeth II in 1954.

The 18 crayon drawings of South Sea Islanders by William Hodges were presented to the Library by the British Admiralty in 1939. They had previously been in the possession of Greenwich Hospital. The view from Point Venus by Hodges was bought at a Christie’s sale in 1979. The paintings of William Ellis were part of the Nan Kivell Collection, with the exception of the view of Adventure Bay, which was bought from Hordern House in Sydney in 1993. The painting of the death of Cook by George Carter and most of the paintings of John Webber were also acquired from Rex Nan Kivell. The painting by John Mortimer was bequeathed to the Library by Dame Merlyn Myer and was received in 1987.

The manuscripts of Cook and his associates are held in the Manuscripts Collection at various locations. They have been catalogued individually. Some of them have been microfilmed, such as the Endeavour journal (mfm G27412), the Endeavour log and letterbook (mfm G3921) and the Resolution letterbook (mfm G3758). The Endeavour journal and letterbook and the papers of Sir Joseph Banks have been digitised and are accessible on the Library’s website. The microfilms have also been catalogued individually and are accessible in the Newspaper and Microcopy Reading Room.

The paintings, drawings, prints and objects are held in the Pictures Collection, while the maps and published coastal views are held in the Maps Collection. They have been catalogued individually and many of them have been digitised.

This guide was prepared using these references:

Biskup, Peter, Captain Cook’s Endeavour Journal and Australian Libraries: A Study in Institutional One-upmanship, Australian Academic and Research Libraries, vol. 18 (3), September 1987, pp. 137–49.
Cook & Omai: The Cult of the South Seas, National Library of Australia, Canberra, 2001.
Dening, Greg, MS 1 Cook, J. Holograph Journal, in Cochrane, Peter (ed.), Remarkable Occurrences: The National Library of Australia’s First 100 Years 1901–2001, National Library of Australia, Canberra, 2001.
Healy, Annette, The Endeavour Journal 1768–71, National Library of Australia, Canberra, 1997.
Healy, Annette, 'Charting the voyager of the Endeavour journal', National Library of Australia News, volume 7(3), December 1996, pp 9-12
Hetherington, Michelle, 'John Hamilton Mortimer and the discovery of Captain Cook', British Art Journal, volume 4 (1), 2003, pp. 69-77

Page published: 15 Nov 2019

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James Cook and his voyages

Collection highlights

Key items in the collection

Manuscripts

Maps