Captain Cook’s Journal During His First Voyage Round the World

Persons Who Left England in H.M.S. Endeavour, 26th August, 1768

A Journal of the Proceedings of His Majesty’s Bark Endeavour, on a Voyage Round the World, by Lieutenant James Cook, Commander, Commencing the 25th of May, 1768

Explanation (From Journal)

It is necessary to premise by way of explanation, that in this Journal (except while we lay at George’s Island) the day is supposed to begin and end at noon, as for instance, Friday the 27th May, began at noon on Thursday 26th, and ended the following noon according to the natural day, and all the courses and bearings are the true courses and bearings according to the Globe, and not by Compass. The longitude is counted West from the meridian of Greenwich where no other place is particularly mentioned. The proportional length of the log-line to the half minute glass, by which the ships run was measured, is as thirty seconds is to thirty feet.

While the ship lay in port or was coasting in sight of land, or sailing in narrow seas, this Journal is not kept in the usual form, but the degrees of Latitude and Longitude the ship passes over are put down at the top of each page, by which together with the notes in the margin1 an easy reference will be had to the Chart.

Notes

1 These notes in the margin have not been printed. ED.