Geographer and Historical Consultant Vanessa Collingridge travels in Captain James Cook’s footsteps to Canada, Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia to find the real man behind the legend. Was Cook a ruthless conqueror, as some believed, or a hero?
Step back into the 18th Century to experience navigating unchartered and unknown waters in search of a legendary Great Southern Continent and a North West Passage through the Arctic ice. See the first Europeans visiting exotic Pacific Islands like Tahiti and Cook’s discovery of Hawaii. Sail New Zealand’s uncharted coasts and claims Australia for king and country at Botany Bay.
Discover what life was like for sailors and scientists, including Sir Joseph Banks (who paid £10,000 for the privilege!) and a naval officer, William Bligh.
Collingridge interviews descendants of indigenous people of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii whom Cook encountered during his travels. We hear both sides of the story.
“I would like people to look again at James Cook and realize that the story of this flawed genius is much deeper and richer than being just hero to some and villain to others.”
Cook’s life began as a Yorkshire farm boy who commands his own ship on a great scientific voyage of discovery, and an international celebrity.
Influential patrons find Cook an apprenticeship in the merchant navy where he becomes a ships’ master. Collingridge visits the Cooks’ family church at Great Ayton where his sister was married and three brothers are buried.
Cook transfers to the Royal Navy where his career really took off.
He is sent to Canada during the Seven Years’ War. He revolutionizes the accuracy of mapping and the way the world is recorded. His precision mapping helped Britain win the war against France and control North America.
The Royal Navy sent Cook to Tahiti to record the 1769 Transit of Venus, and a secret mission to search and chart Terra Australis Nonam Cognito (Unknown Great Southern Continent).
Approximately one-third of the world, especially the Pacific Ocean, was still unchartered territory.
Cook’s maps of Newfoundland and New Zealand were so accurate they were still used 200 years later.
Collingridge reminds us of Cook’s perfectionist nature, passion for accuracy and obsession. Cook dealt with facts, not fantasy.
Like everyone else, Cook was a flawed human being despite his refusal to participate in “sexual activities” with native Tahitian women. (Historians regard Cook’s stance as odd because it was regarded as “normal” behaviour for 18th Century sailors.)
His marriage to Elizabeth Batt lasted sixteen years until his death. Cook was a devoted husband and father. However Elizabeth was left to cope alone when all six children died during his absence. He was away from home for most of their marriage.
Cook’s belief he was in control of everything, including the world, proved his downfall. He was killed in Hawaii. Cook’s obsession with diet prevented scurvy outbreaks.
She says, “History doesn’t tell the whole story.”
The documentary is adapted from Collingridge’s book, Captain Cook: Obsession and Betrayal in the New World.
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