15, Reed Gallery - Dunedin Public Libraries Official Website

William Ellis. An Authentic Narrative of a Voyage Performed by Captain Cook and Captain Clerke, in His Majesty's Ships Resolution and Discovery During the Years 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, and 1780. London: Printed for G. Robinson; H. Sewell, and J. Debrett, 1782.

This account of Cook’s third voyage is attributed to William Wade Ellis (1751-85), assistant surgeon to both vessels. It contains detailed descriptions of the north-west American coast and the Hawaiian Islands and is considered an important supplement to the official account.

Ellis, who was also a zoological artist, accepted an offer of 50 Guineas to write an account of the voyage. His narrative sold well, and a third edition was in print by 1784. However, he gained nothing further financially due to the terms of the publishing agreement, and upset the authorities by publishing without permission, ahead of the official account. He died as a result of a fall from a mast at Ostend, Belgium, in 1785.

William Ellis. An Authentic Narrative of a Voyage Performed by Captain Cook and Captain Clerke, in His Majesty's Ships Resolution and Discovery During the Years 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, and 1780. London: Printed for G. Robinson; H. Sewell, and J. Debrett, 1782.
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James Cook. A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean Undertaken … for Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere. Vol. I. London: Printed by W. and A. Strahan, 1784.

Cook’s final mission in the north and central Pacific, the lure of the North-West Passage, the charting of the west coast of North America, and the rediscovery of Hawaii limited his New Zealand stay to 14 days at Ship Cove in February 1777.

The official account of Cook’s third voyage includes his inquiry into the slaying of ten men from the Adventure, under the command of Furneaux, that had occurred in December 1773 during the second voyage. Having interviewed the rangatira responsible, Cook concluded that the Adventure crew were to blame and refused to take revenge for their deaths.

James Cook. A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean Undertaken … for Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere. Vol. I. London: Printed by W. and A. Strahan, 1784.
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Treasury of Pacific Exploration

Case 15 - Cook’s Third Voyage

William Ellis. An Authentic Narrative of a Voyage Performed by Captain Cook and Captain Clerke, in His Majesty's Ships Resolution and Discovery During the Years 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, and 1780. London: Printed for G. Robinson; H. Sewell, and J. Debrett, 1782.

James Cook. A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean Undertaken … for Making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere. Vol. I. London: Printed by W. and A. Strahan, 1784.

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