James Cook · 1771 · global

The journals of James Cook's first great voyage, 1768 to 1771, aboard the Endeavour. Sent to the Pacific to observe the transit of Venus from Tahiti and to search for the rumored southern continent, Cook went on to chart the whole coastline of New Zealand, proving it two islands, and to map the unknown eastern coast of Australia, nearly losing his ship on the Great Barrier Reef before bringing her home around the world.

1. 1
   Plymouth

   Cook sails from England on the Endeavour to observe the transit of Venus and seek the great southern continent.

2. 2
   Rio de Janeiro

   Across the Atlantic to Brazil.

3. 3
   Cape Horn

   Around the stormy tip of South America into the Pacific.

4. 4
   Tahiti

   To Tahiti, to watch Venus cross the face of the sun.

5. 5
   New Zealand

   South and west to New Zealand, whose entire coast Cook charts, proving it is two islands.

6. 6
   Botany Bay

   On to the unknown eastern coast of Australia, landing at Botany Bay.

7. 7
   Batavia

   Up the coast and through the perilous Great Barrier Reef and the Torres Strait to Batavia.

8. 8
   Cape of Good Hope

   Across the Indian Ocean and around the Cape of Good Hope.

9. 9
   Plymouth

   And home to England, very nearly a full circumnavigation of the globe.