Captain James Cook

Hello readers.

Today I am going to share a story called Captain James Cook. The story is about Captain James and his crew voyages . Here is the story.

Captain James Cook

James Cook was born in Marton-in-Cleveland, England on

the 27th October 1728. His father was a farm worker. At the

age of 18, he became a merchant sailor. He soon changed

to the navy and began a successful career. 

First Voyage 

In 1768, Cook became the commander of a voyage to the

Pacific. Cook's ship was called the Endeavour. His first job

was to sail to Tahiti and observe the planet Venus pass in

front of the Sun. He was also given an envelope with secret

instructions. The instructions told him to find the ‘Great

Southern Continent.’ Those on board the ship included

astronomer Charles Green and botanist Joseph Banks. After

Tahiti, Cook first visited New Zealand and then New Holland

(Australia). 

Cook Arrives in New Zealand and Australia 

In September 1769 Cook reached New Zealand. He was the

second European to visit after Abel Tasman, 127 years

earlier. Cook charted the coast of New Zealand and then

went on to be the first European to reach the east coast of

Australia. In Australia, he first stopped at Botany Bay, where

he studied the animals, plants and local people. While

sailing up the coast his ship was damaged by the coral reef.

Once his ship was repaired, he sailed to Cape York. At Cape

York, he claimed New Holland to be part of the British

Empire. Cook and his crew returned to England in 1771. 

Later Voyages 

Cook went on two more voyages. In 1772, he sailed farther

south than any other human in history at that time. He also

visited Easter Island. In 1776, he tried to sail around the top

of North America to Asia. This was called the Northwest

Passage. He was unsuccessful. Instead, he sailed on to

Hawaii. In Hawaii, Cook and his men got along with the local

people at first. Then someone stole one of Cook’s boats. To

get it back, he kidnapped a chief. The local people attacked

and Cook was killed. 

Questions 

1. Where was Captain James Cook born? Highlight

one. 

Australia 

England 

New Zealand

2. How old was he when he became a merchant sailor? Highlight one. 

18 

19

20

3. What was the name of Cook’s ship? Highlight

one. 

Endeavour 

Adventure

Enterprise

4. Where was Cook killed? Highlight one. 

England

Easter Island

Hawaii

 5. Fill in the missing words in the sentence below. 

After Tahiti, Cook first visited New Zealand then

New Holland.

6. What island did Cook visit in 1772?

 Cook went on two more voyages. In 1772, he sailed farther

south than any other human in history at that time. He also

visited Easter Island.

7. Why was Cook killed? 

In Hawaii, Cook and his men got along with the local people

at first. Then someone stole one of Cook’s boats. To get it

back, he kidnapped a chief. The local people attacked and

Cook was killed.

Thank you for reading my blog post. I hope you enjoy reading it. Please leave a comment and have a wonderful weekend! :)