Re: [bolger] Cook and the Ship
In a message dated 10/24/02 2:10:31 PM Central Daylight Time,
pseudodion3@...writes:
has been pretty widely reviewed, and my local library system has several
copies. The author revisits some of Cook's landings and relates some of the
history of his voyages. Given the manifest incompetence of later British
polar explorations, one wonders how the corrupt, nepotism- and
patronage-ridden system of Georgian England ever lighted upon selection of
Cook to search for "Terra Australius" and the "Northwest Passage". Somehow,
the system chose a preternaturally competent explorer. An amazing captain, by
any measure.
Ciao for Niao,
Bill in MN
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
pseudodion3@...writes:
> Penguin Classics offers anTony Horwitz's "Blue Latitudes" is not a bad read. It's a recent publication,
> abridged edition of Cook's Journals from all 3 of the voyages to the
> pacific. It is an interesting read
has been pretty widely reviewed, and my local library system has several
copies. The author revisits some of Cook's landings and relates some of the
history of his voyages. Given the manifest incompetence of later British
polar explorations, one wonders how the corrupt, nepotism- and
patronage-ridden system of Georgian England ever lighted upon selection of
Cook to search for "Terra Australius" and the "Northwest Passage". Somehow,
the system chose a preternaturally competent explorer. An amazing captain, by
any measure.
Ciao for Niao,
Bill in MN
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
If you do not already have a copy, Penguin Classics offers an
abridged edition of Cook's Journals from all 3 of the voyages to the
pacific. It is an interesting read and will give you much insight
into the sailing capabilities of these vessels. Of course, as one
reads, one becomes more impressed with the Cap'n who is able to
utilize the limitations of his vessel to such great advantage. One
never gets the sense that Cook chafed much at his inability to get to
windward. He could, of course, but not in the sense that our rigs can
today. His sailing round the tip of South America (Magellan's
Straits) is a very instructive read.
Dennis
abridged edition of Cook's Journals from all 3 of the voyages to the
pacific. It is an interesting read and will give you much insight
into the sailing capabilities of these vessels. Of course, as one
reads, one becomes more impressed with the Cap'n who is able to
utilize the limitations of his vessel to such great advantage. One
never gets the sense that Cook chafed much at his inability to get to
windward. He could, of course, but not in the sense that our rigs can
today. His sailing round the tip of South America (Magellan's
Straits) is a very instructive read.
Dennis