| Cook was also asked to confirm or disprove the existance of a great southern continent. Cook's voyage on the Endeavour took three years and Cook claimed much territory for Britain and produced many detailed maps and charts. However, he found no southern continent. Second Expedition
Cook's second expedition saw the man in command of two ships - the Resolution and the Adventure which set sail from Plymouth on July 11, 1772. He planned to circumnavigate the globe as far south as possible which would force contact with any large southern continent. TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE | Are you ready for the challenge now?
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Cook succeeded in making the first recorded crossing of the Antarctic Circle on January 17, 1773. He created extensive maps and landed on what are now called the Cook Islands and Tonga. He also discovered South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Cook returned to Britain in July 1775 - his three year expedition had proved that no Asia-sized southern continent existed. Cook's insistance on proper hygiene and a decent diet for the crew had greatly reduced the number of cases of scurvy.  Find out about Cook's third expedition and his legacy >>
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Born in Marton on October 27, 1728. Died February 14, 1779.
