[Captain Cook’s Journal During the First Voyage Round the World by James Cook]@TWC D-Link bookCaptain Cook’s Journal During the First Voyage Round the World PREFACE 8/83
There is, however, nothing to be got out of them, as they are mainly copies one of the other, founded on the ship's log. The portion of Mr.Molineux's, the Master's, Log that exists (at the Admiralty) is a most beautifully kept and written document, enriched with charts and sketches that attest the accuracy of Cook's remark, that he was a "young man of good parts." The log kept by Mr.Green, however, does contain a few original remarks, some of which have been made use of.
This book contains a mass of astronomical observations, and witnesses to the zeal of this gentleman in his especial duty. He records in one place, when far away from land, his disgust that the officers were unwilling to aid him in lunar observations.
No doubt they saw no particular use in them when there was no coast to fix; but there is ample proof that he received every aid when Cook thought it necessary. Sufficient charts have been placed in this book to enable the reader to follow the more interesting parts of the voyage; some being reproductions of Cook's own charts, others modern publications.
In the case of the coast of East Australia, the coast-line as laid down by Cook, and as now known, are given side by side for comparison. It must be understood, that although this book is styled CAPTAIN COOK'S JOURNAL, he was on this voyage only a Lieutenant in Command, and therefore only Captain by courtesy. W.J.L.
WHARTON. FLORYS, WIMBLEDON PARK, April 7th, 1893. CONTENTS. SKETCH OF CAPTAIN COOK'S LIFE. LIST OF PERSONS WHO LEFT ENGLAND IN H.M.S.ENDEAVOUR, 26TH AUGUST, 1768. CHAPTER 1.
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