The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook

In October 1776, Captain Cook and the Resolution arrived at Cape Town, a crucial resupply stop. The crew was relieved to land after a difficult journey marred by leaks and poor weather. Cape Town offered fresh provisions, and the Dutch colony, run by the East India Company, provided a mix of hospitality and high prices. Cook dealt with theft and disciplinary issues, including stolen sheep and counterfeit coins among his crew. Mai, the Polynesian traveler, enjoyed the stop, exploring the local fauna and mingling with the residents. Meanwhile, the Discovery finally arrived, allowing both ships to prepare for their next leg of the voyage. As they departed, Cook noted the numerous animals on board, likening the Resolution to Noah’s Ark.

In December 1776, Cook’s expedition reached the Kerguelen Islands, a desolate and harsh environment in the southern Indian Ocean. The journey from Cape Town had been grueling, as the Resolution had encountered severe cold, powerful winds, and dense fog. Many animals on board were injured or died due to the harsh conditions. Upon arrival, the crew found the island barren, with no trees and scant vegetation, though there was plenty of fresh water. Despite its bleakness, the island teemed with marine life and birds. Cook officially claimed the land for Britain, renaming it the Isle of Desolation. The crew carried out necessary repairs and refilled water supplies before continuing their voyage, and Cook grew increasingly impatient and fatigued.

In January 1777, Cook navigated the Resolution and the Discovery from the Kerguelen Islands toward New Zealand, eventually reaching Van Diemen’s Land (modern-day Tasmania). Struggling with relentless fog and rough seas, Cook’s crew worked tirelessly to repair damages and tend to the suffering livestock. They found respite in Adventure Bay, a haven with abundant fresh water and lush forests. Cook encountered the Palawa, the Aboriginal people of Tasmania, noting their contentment and (in his colonialist view) simple way of life. Despite some initial misunderstandings, the interactions were mostly peaceful. Cook admired the Palawa’s self-sufficiency but decided to leave before any harm could come to him and his crew. The expedition continued into the Pacific Ocean, marking the next phase of their journey.

In February 1777, Cook’s ships endured harsh conditions en route to New Zealand, culminating in the tragic loss of marine George Moody. Cook aimed for New Zealand’s Queen Charlotte Sound to investigate a grisly incident from his previous voyage, in which 10 of Furneaux’s men were killed and cannibalized by Māori. In 1773, Furneaux’s men encountered hostility and theft, leading to the fateful trip to Grass Cove, where the Māori ambushed and killed them. The rear-admiral James Burney’s search party found the mutilated remains, leading Furneaux to abandon the cove and head home. Arriving at Ship Cove, Cook sought to understand the cause of the violence. Determined to uncover the truth, he aimed to prevent further violence and understand the cultural context behind the massacre.

On February 10, 1777, Cook’s ships sighted New Zealand’s South Island, navigating through its stunning landscape of fjords, beaches, and glacial rivers. Known to the Māori as Aotearoa, this land was the last significant habitable place settled by humans, with Māori culture tracing back to Polynesian navigators. As Cook’s crew anchored in Queen Charlotte Sound, tensions arose from the previous massacre involving Captain Furneaux’s men. The Māori initially distrusted Cook, fearing retribution. Cook observed, “[n]either professions of friendship nor presents would induce [them] to come into the ship: It appeared to me they were apprehensive we were come to revenge the death of Captain Furneaux’s people” (102). However, through cautious diplomacy, both sides eventually engaged in trade and cultural exchange. The Māori’s remarkable craftsmanship and the Englishmen’s fascination with their customs, particularly tattooing, were evident. Despite underlying tensions and the eerie atmosphere of Ship Cove, the interaction remained largely peaceful.

On February 16, 1777, Cook and a well-armed party, including Mai as a translator, visited Grass Cove to investigate the massacre of Furneaux’s men. They met Matahua and other Māori, who recounted the events leading to the killings, emphasizing the escalating conflict triggered by a theft and the subsequent overreaction by the English crew. Cook concluded that the massacre was not premeditated and that Jack Rowe, an ill-tempered sailor, was largely to blame. Despite evidence of cannibalism, Cook decided not to seek vengeance, valuing cultural understanding over retribution. This leniency caused friction among his crew and emboldened the Māori. Even as tensions remained high, Cook chose not to execute the main perpetrator, Chief Kahura, leading to further discontent among his men.