A Chart of the Southern Hemisphere; Shewing the Tracks of Some of the most Distinguished Navigators: by Captain James Cook; of his Majesty’s Navy.

Cook’s famous and rare large c.18th map of the southern hemisphere, made on his second voyage of discovery and exploration (1773-1775). It was the most important and up-to-date chart of the southern hemisphere for its day, dispelling the myth of the landmass known as, Terra Australia Incognita. From the official British Admiralty sanctioned edition of the accounts of Cook’s second voyage.

The map includes the tracks from Cook’s first and second voyages, including those of numerous other explorers: Bougainville, Le Maire, Mendana, Quiros, Schouten and Tasman. It also records the first known crossing of the Antarctic Circle by Cook on 17 January 1773.

From Cook’s, A Voyage Towards the South Pole, and Round the World, performed in His Majesty’s Ships the ‘Resolution’ and ‘Adventure’, In the Years 1772, 1773, 1774, and 1775.

Second Voyage: 1772-1775 Ships: Resolution & Adventure Rank: Commander

Cook was promoted commander and given charge of a second expedition, in the two ships, Resolution and Adventure which was under the command of Captain Tobias Furneaux. On this second voyage Cook was to circumnavigate the world in high southern latitudes and produce a chart of the Southern Hemisphere which extended the knowledge of Antarctica.

In February and March 1773, the Adventure, parted from the Resolution by fog and gales, and made for the south coast of Van Diemen’s Land. Here Furneaux renamed Adventure Bay on Bruny Island, sailed round Tasman Peninsula and sailed up the east coast to Flinders Island, but through bad weather failed to reach Point Hicks before proceeding to the agreed rendezvous with the Resolution in New Zealand.

The ships met as agreed in New Zealand (February-May 1773) and from there set off to explore the central Pacific, visiting Tahiti (August), where, from the island of Raiatea, they took aboard Omai who returned with the Adventure to England (7 September). Omai was taken to England, arriving at London in October 1774 where he was introduced into society by the naturalist Sir Joseph Banks. During his two-year stay in England, Omai became much admired within London high society.

After visiting Amsterdam and Middelburg, two islands that Cook called the Friendly Islands (Tongan group) in October, the ships became separated and never met again.

Cook attempted another search for the Great Southern Continent (November 1773), with the Resolution crossing the Antarctic Circle on 20th December 1773. However, the ice and cold soon forced him to turn north again and he made another search in the central Pacific for the Great Southern Continent. On 17 January 1774 he turned south again, crossing the Antarctic Circle for the second time and then again for a third time 26 January 1774.

Cook sailed north, arriving at Easter Island in March 1774, followed by visits to the Marquesas (March); Tahiti (April) and Raiatea (June); past the Cook Islands and Niue, or Savage Islands as Cook called them; Tonga (June); Vatoa, the only Fijian Island visited by Cook (July); New Hebrides (Vanuatu) (17 July-August); New Caledonia (September) and Norfolk Island (October); before returning to New Zealand (October 1774). He departed for Britain via the Southern Ocean in November 1774 and arrived at Portsmouth on 30th July 1775.

 On his return he was made a member of the Royal Society, received its Copley Medal for achievement and was promoted to post-captain of Greenwich Hospital.

From: Cook, J. A Voyage Towards the South Pole, and Round the World Performed in His Majesty?s Ship the Resolution and Adventure in the Years 1772, 1773, 1774, and 1775.