Identity area
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Authorized form of name
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Description area
Dates of existence
History
Born in Marton, Cleveland, 1728; became an apprentice to shipowners in Whitby; became master of his own ship, HMS Northumberland, 1759; the following winter, while laid up in Halifax, studied mathematics and attained a sound knowledge of astronomical navigation; went on to become an eminent circumnavigator and made many geographical discoveries, including establishing knowledge of the Southern Pacific; kept a crew at sea without serious losses from sickness and death, which was unusual at that time; killed by natives of Hawaii, 1779.
From c1750 Masters of HM Ships were required by the Admiralty to keep Remark Books of details of coasts and ports they visited. James Cook followed this practice when serving in HMS Pembroke and HMS Northumberland on the North American Station from 1758 to 1762.