Captain James Cook was an 18th century British explorer and navigator, who is best known for his three voyages to the Pacific Ocean, where he explored and mapped much of the region, including New Zealand, Australia, and the Hawaiian Islands. He was born in 1728 in Marton, Middlesbrough, England and joined the British Navy at the age of 18. He quickly rose through the ranks and was appointed to lead his first voyage to the Pacific in 1768. Cook’s voyages made significant contributions to the field of cartography and helped to fill in many gaps in European knowledge of the Pacific region. He also made detailed observations of the natural world and the cultures of the peoples he encountered. Cook was killed in Hawaii in 1779 during his third voyage. He is considered one of the greatest navigators in history and his voyages had a lasting impact on the world’s knowledge of the Pacific.
The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum dedicated to the life and legacy of the famous explorer and navigator, Captain James Cook. When visiting the museum, you can expect to see the following: