Who is Captain Cook?
Captain James Cook was an accomplished British navigator, cartographer, explorer, and captain who sailed the South Pacific extensively during his lifetime. In the course of his journeys, Captain Cook discovered a number of new sites, drew an astounding number of maps, and made interesting observations about the people, plants, and animals of the South Pacific. Cook’s enduring legacy is still recognized in many of the places he visited, with statues, commemorative festivals, and other events which honor him. James Cook was born in 1728 into a family of Scottish laborers. At 16, he was apprenticed to a grocer, and it was quickly realized that this job would not be suitable for him, so he was apprenticed again to a seafaring firm. During his apprenticeship, he learned a number of skills which would be useful later in his career, ultimately joining the Royal Navy in 1755 in the hopes of advancing his career. By 1759, Cook had become a ship’s master, commanding the Mercury and taking extens
