The old legend of Juan de Fuca's great bay still misled geographers as to this coast.

Cook not alone settled this problem, but, by advancing through Behring Strait and examining both sides of it, determined that the two continents of Asia and America approached one another as near as thirty-six miles.

On his return voyage he landed at Owhyee (Hawaii), where he was slain in 1777, and his ships returned to England without adding anything further to geographical knowledge.
Cook's voyages had aroused the generous emulation of the French, who, to their eternal honour, had given directions to their fleet to respect his vessels wherever found, though France was at that time at war with England.

In 1783 an expedition was sent, under Francois de la Perouse, to complete Cook's work.

He explored the north-east coast of Asia, examined the island of Saghalien, and passed through the strait between it and Japan, often called by his name.