Captain James Cook: The incredible true story of the World's Greatest Navigator and Cartographer

Heroes and Legends Documentary Channel
Heroes and Legends Documentary Channel
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Published 2021-07-09
Captain James Cook, a British Navigator, Cartographer and explorer was one of the pre-eminent sailors and innovators of his age. Now a controversial figure for indigenous cultures who see him as the instigator and symbol of European colonial expansion and genocide; the real James Cook was actually quite a different man to what has been imagined. Coming from abject poverty in rural Yorkshire England; raised among the pacifist and hard working Quakers, he dreamed of sailing to far off lands in the pacific since he was a boy. Working as an apprentice aboard a grubby Whitby Cat collier, he soon proved himself a hard working and competent sailor. He was later to join the Royal Navy and sail to Canada, taking part in the siege of Louisburg and Quebec, while learning the cartography and surveying skills that were to revolutionise the Navy from that time on. James Cook circumnavigated the globe three times, charted approximately a third of the unknown coastlines of the globe; beginning with his first voyage aboard the Endeavour, with Naturalists Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander. He was the first man to sail below, and above the 70th parallel, and his regime of hygiene and fresh food revolutionised the management of scurvy while at sea. For this, he was admitted as a fellow to the Royal Society, as well as raised from the rank of Master, to Lieutenant and then Post Captain -something that would otherwise have caused a scandal among the high society gentry, if it were not for his incredible reputation. In all three of his major voyages, spanning twenty years, he never lost one crew member to the disease, which was an astonishing achievement when compared to a 40% plus death rate that was typical of long range voyages in the time preceding his. His untimely murder in Hawaii robbed the world of a humble, humane and dedicated leader, whose legacy now risks being tarnished by historical revisionists more focused on political activism than historical reality.
#captaincook, #jamescook, #realhero, #aussiehero, #endeavour, #Australia, #navigator, #cartographer, #circumnavigation

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0.00
00:08:10 Whitby, the Walkers and his apprenticeship
00:09:42 The Quakers
00:20:00 Royal Navy career in Canada and charting development
00:31:15 Circumnavigation 1: The Venus Transit expedition
00:41:41 Tahiti
00:45:03 New Zealand and Tupaia's Maori mediation
00:48:43 The New Holland Coast
00:53:51 Shipwreck and Aboriginal interaction
00:56:29 Rounding the top end and claiming New Holland
00:58:27 Disaster in Batavia
01:01:00 Circumnavigation 2: the 60th Parallel and terra incognita
01:06:00 Honours back home
01:07:17 Circumnavigation 3: Hawaii, Alaska and the Northwest Passage
01:11:25 Conflict and death in Hawaii
01:17:26 The "Noble Savage"?
01:18:46 Legacy and conclusion

Searchable copies of both Cook's and Bank's journals are available :
nla.gov.au/nla.obj-228958465/view
webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20110315072757/http://so…

ERRATA / CORRIGENDA: Thanks to all the viewers who wrote in with corrections!

1. Linnaeus was incorrectly addressed as Swiss rather than Swedish. Sincere apologies to my Swedish viewers!
2. The opening sequences show Lenin's bust rather than Stalin- for which I had no acceptable statue image- apologies for any confusion.
3. The pronunciation of Staithes has the "e" remain silent. Apologies to my English friends
4. Elizabeth Batts Cook lived to be 93 and not 85 years old as was incorrectly stated in the film.

Closing music:
Long Road Ahead by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc…
Artist: incompetech.com/

Some viewers have complained about the music choice and volume - so I have uploaded another copy of this video minus the music tracks here:    • Captain James Cook: The incredible tr...  

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All Comments (21)
  • @swiftwindturning
    The fact that Cook came from a poor family, and excelled so high based purely on MERIT & good principles, despite the discrimination of him for not being a Gentleman, is absolutely astounding and shows what an individual can accomplish despite their position in life.
  • @theJasta
    Very well said. Here's to Captain Cook's memory.
  • @hilding2063
    Good God, how can anybody aspire to such greatness. What a man. Thank you for the enlightening history lesson.
  • @kevinferrin5695
    I hardly knew anything about Captain Cook before watching this video. To me, he was some kind of stereotype from ancient lore. I had no idea how important he was. What an amazing man!
  • @cedenullis5906
    This documentary was an excellent insight into the life of James Cook. I despair at the number of people who, through their ignorance and hatred, choose to rewrite history for the no other reason than it run counter to their perverse narrative. It is important to ensure that our children are educated without bias given the true facts. The current trend to re-write historical facts is corrosive, it MUST be resisted.
  • @johnkingsley9525
    Back in the year 1999 I was in Newport Harbor S. California when a replica of the James Cook sailing ship on a world tour was docked at the Newport Marine Museum and I had a opportunity to board her. By today’s standards it was small and the living space between the deck area set up for the soldiers on board for protection was no more than five feet high. To imagine leaving port headed out on the open sea and not knowing what is over the horizon or how long before you reached land and if your food and supply’s would last etc. really made me realize how brave Captain Cook and his sailors were. Truly exceptional and talented men who we owe a gratitude of thanks for expanding our knowledge of the world.😂
  • @SnackPack913
    I find it fascinating how cartographers were able to map and even just navigate the world back then. It’s very impressive
  • @dixieboy5689
    No matter your own perception of this man , it is not important. This man was beyond an absolute genius. He knew what he was capable of and he knew where to look for guidance, when needed. Astounding in all regards. Masterstrokes of untold types were common place in his world. His accomplishments live on. Thanks from. EASTPORT MAINE. USA.
  • @brahmburgers
    Good video, thanks. I reside on the Big Island, Hawaii, about 47 miles from where Cook was killed. He was a good man and phenomenal adventurer.
  • @adrianpoesiat
    He accurately mapped and did depth soundings for 1/3 of the world’s coastline using sail powered craft . I feel like such a slacker. Amazing
  • @kadachiman7234
    Very well presented and a tragic reflection of how many in today's society can twist the facts to suit what they want others to believe.
  • @dasbaniprasad
    As a merchant seafarer myself, I can only marvel at the debt my profession and indeed the world owes to this man.
  • @robinforrest7680
    A great man and apparently a good decent simple man who deserves none of the vilification he’s receiving from some quarters today. Thank you for this wonderful profile of him. May he Rest In Peace.
  • @DW_Kiwi
    A true hero. This man came up through from humble beginnings. Seriously proved himself as a great explorer. Cared for his men
  • @Davidsavage8008
    Capt James cook documented everything and deserves to be remembered as a great explorer that discovered many things and sacrificed many thing's in doing so. God bless his memorial.
  • @silvernova354
    This was one of the most well presented documentaries I have seen in quite a while. I was born in New Zealand and came to Australia at the age of 5, in 1980. While we did learn about James Cook in school, I really had no knowledge about his early life and how he worked his way up through hard work, kindness to his fellow man, and determination. My favorite part, however, is the point that was made at the end. Being the best person you can be, and helping others. I wonder how many of those dim witted vandals would follow that path, or even understand it for that matter. Thankyou.
  • @Iggywiggywoo
    Without him we may not be residing in Australia today.
  • @FutureSystem738
    Excellent coverage of this truly amazing man, thank you. It’s so sad that uneducated ignorant people today take such a stance.
  • @brianwilson4592
    Thanks for a well balanced documentary. Those that vilify him do from a position of ignorance and have not bothered to investigate his story. Many rush to find a scape goat for perceived injustices.