Source 1a

Extract from the journal of Captain James Cook. ADM 55/113

Note: This transcript only includes the dates in Cook’s last entry, rather than the body of the text.

Transcript

COPY OF CAPT. J. COOK’S JOURNAL ON H.M.S. “RESOLUTION”

1776-1779

VOL. 3

 

[Last entry in book]

 

1779

January

 

Tues 5

 

Wed 6

 

 

« Return to Captain Cook in Hawaii

These are extracts from the journals of Captain James Cook and Captain John Gore.

Captain Cook was the leader of the whole expedition, which was trying to find a Northwest Passage. John Gore was first lieutenant on one of the two ships, the Resolution. After Cook died, he became Captain of the other ship, the Discovery.

  • What is the date in the last entry in Captain Cook’s logbook?
  • How many weeks before Cook’s death is this entry?
  • Look at source 1b. This is a note in Captain Gore’s logbook. Why do you think the Admiralty might have removed these journal passages?
  • How do these missing journal entries affect our investigation of what happened during Cook’s death?