Cook’s voyage into history

Press, 9 June 1980, Page 17

Cook’s voyage into history

A newly-commissioned Lieutenant James Cook set sail from Deptford in a converted coal carrier called Endeavour in 1768.

It was the beginning of an historic voyage, one which covered nearly 42.000 miles over a period of three years. Cook’s voyage is retraced in episode eight of “Explorers” screening on Television Two tonight. Cook’s published orders were to get to the Pacific to make scientific observations for the Royal Society. But few knew he also carried sealed and secret orders from the British Admiralty. They urged him to search for a southern continent that was thought to exist and claim it for Britain at once. What he found was the east coast of Australia where he promptly planted the British flag. But afterwards Endeavour ripped into the Great Barrier Reef, and for 23 hours the course of history tilted in the balance as Cook fought to save his ship, the lives of his crew, and the news that Britain had a new colony. Hammond Innes, famous author of many best-selling adventure stories made his television debut as the writer of one of the most difficult productions in the “Explorers” series. A ship was constructed by 8.8. C. designers to portray conditions at sea in the middle of the 18th century. Men, animals, stores, and equipment were packed into every conceivable space, just as they had been on the original journey. What has emerged is not simply a film about a remarkable exploration and discovery: by the end of it those watching will know what it was like to sail as a member of Cook’s crew.

The living conditions were appalling. The food was disgusting. The dangers were terrible. At times disease was rampant-and dozens of men died. There were floggings for minor offences. Yet in his day Cook was thought to be a modern-thinking, unusually humane man — for a sea commander. John Irvin directed this film, in which the British actor, Dennis Burgess, plays the part of Captain James Cook.