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Between the years 1768 and 1771 an epic voyage of discovery was sailed by James Cook and his crew on board HMB Endeavour Ninety-four men, a goat, and two dogs departed on a sea journey to visit unknown lands and people, to make scientific discoveries and to search for the mythical southern continent Terra Australis Incognita.

     Read an excerpt from Cook’s manuscript journal or from a transcript of that journal below. Just click the manuscript or transcript.

DISASTER!

While charting the coast of north-eastern Australia the Endeavour crashes onto the Great Barrier Reef. Read Cook’s words of worry at the terrible situation, and how the men on board managed to save the ship from imminent danger.

Go to Endeavour manuscript Go to Endeavour transcript