Captain Cook: Obsession and Discovery

TAKING COMMAND

PROGRAMME LENGTH1 hour

SCREENING DETAILSMonday 5 September at 9.30am EST/ NZ

This program gives an account of the voyage of the Endeavour, captained by Lt James Cook, to Tahiti and beyond in 1768 -1771. The program is narrated by geographer and historian Vanessa Collingridge who also engages in discussion of controversial elements of the history of Cook and his voyage.

There are significant references to Cook’s journal and other accounts from the time. There are accounts of, and from, the Indigenous peoples of the islands visited by Cook. The character of Cook and the significance of his achievements are a recurring focus of the narrative also.

This program could be used in a study of Contact history in the Pacific, particularly in New Zealand and Australia. The impact of European exploration is a significant theme of the narrative. It could be useful to highlight the challenges faced by Cook on his voyages of discovery and to build a picture of the navigational icon that he became as a result.

Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Australians should be made aware that this program contains images and voices of people who are dead.

Dr Denis Mootz NBB: Previewing necessary.

Program includes frank but non-explicit discussion of sexual behaviour.

DATA CAPTURE.

Stop the video programs at the end of each section. Allow students to share and discuss answers to the questions below.

Introduction.

Note the different perspectives that can be had of James Cook and his achievements.Note the evolution of Cook’s life and career.Note the various terms in which Cook and his achievements are described.What can we expect from this program? Implications?

Part 1.

Note events in Tahiti in 1769.What did Europeans know of Tahiti? Result?Why was Cook’s observing the Sun from Tahiti? Result?Why did Cook want good relations with the Tahitians?How did his crew respond to the freedom offered on the islands? Result?Why was Cook offended by the behaviour of his crew?Note Cook’s part in the worldwide scientific activities of Saturday 3 June 1769. Result?Note the description of Cook’s various abilities. Implications?Why was Cook frustrated by the results of his observations? Implications?Why were the scientific observations “doomed” anyway? Implications?How did Cook react to this “failure”?What “secret orders” did Cook have from the Admiralty? Implications?What was the enduring “mystery” of the world in 1769? Result?What was imagined about the Southern Hemisphere? Result? Implications?Note the Dutch map of Terra Australis from 1759. Result?Note the description of the Pacific. Implications? Result?Why were the English interested in a base in the southern continent? Implications?How had Cook’s voyage changed after leaving Tahiti?Note the description of the ambitions of Joseph Banks. Implications? Result?Note details of the Tahitian “priest” Tupaia.What was Bank’s reason for “collecting” Tupaia?Note Cook’s attitude to Tupaia. Implications? Result?Why was Tupaia’s knowledge invaluable? Result? What did Tupaia know about a southern continent? Implications?What company did Cook keep on the Endeavour? Result? Implications?Why was Cook different from other English naval commanders? Result?What did a “speculative geographer” do? Result? Implications?Why was Banks a great believer in a southern continent? Implications? Result?What signs suggested to Banks that they were nearing land?Why did Cook disagree?How did Cook’s expectations and beliefs differ from Banks? Why?Note how far south Cook sailed. Result? Implications?What had Tasman discovered in 1642? Implications? Result?

Part 2.

When was land sighted? Where?How did Cook find out where they were? Result?Who was Timaru?Note how the story of Cook’s arrival is repeated today by the Maori. Result? Implications?How did Cook react to the death of Timaru?Why did The Maori leave Timaru’s body on the beach? Implications?How did Cook react when confronted by a Maori haka? Result? Implications?What is a hongi? Implications? Result?What went wrong in this meeting? Result?Note Cook’s reconciliatory gesture. Implications?Note Cook’s justification for firing on the Maori. Implications?Note discussion of the two perspectives on these events. Implications?How do we know Cook was concerned about the indigenous peoples of the Pacific?

Part 3.

Why did Cook now sail north?What had Cook learned from the encounters at Poverty Bay? Result?How did Cook ensure proper treatment of the Maori at the next encounter? Result?What is Tupaia’s cave? Implications? Result?Note how Cook was described by the Maori boy. Implications?What had Cook begun to suspect about the land? Result?In what sense was Cook a pioneer in this mapping exercise? Result? Implications?What was Cook’s intention at this stage? Result?Why did he sail west towards Africa? Implications?

Part 4.

What had Cook “missed” at home while he was at sea?What was Cook planning for the future?When was land sighted? Result?Where did Cook take shelter? Result?Who was the first Englishman to step onto the East coast of New Holland?Why did New Holland astonish the European naturalists and scientists? Result?Why was Cook mystified? Implications? Result?Note John Maynard’s comments on the reaction of the Indigenous people.What did Cook name the bay? Implications? Result?Why was England in crisis in 1787? Result?How is Cook regarded by white Australians? Result?When did “Cook’s cottage” come to Australia? Implications? Result?What does the cult of Captain Cook suggest about how History is constructed? Implications?Why did George Collingridge cause “trouble” in the 1890s? Result?What proof is there that the Portuguese may have visited the east coast of Australia?Why did this claim stir up a “hornets nest” in the 1890s?How did Cook map the east coast of New Holland? Result? Implications?What was a “lead-line” used for? Implications? Result?Why was there tension on board Endeavour? Result? Implications?What problem did Cook encounter on the north coast of New Holland? Result? Implications?

EXTENSIONS.Useful, interesting, challenging, materials can be found at the websites below.These will supplement and complement the History presented in the video program.Both the data collected here and above should be used in the notemaking exercise that follows.

Age of Discovery: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Discoveryhttp://www.historyguide.org/earlymod/lecture2c.HTMLhttp://www.britannica.com/topic/European-exploration/The-Age-of-Discoveryhttp://exploration.marinersmuseum.org/type/age-of-discovery/http://www.the-map-as-history.com/maps/10-age_of_discovery.phphttp://study.com/academy/lesson/the-age-of-discovery-timeline-explorers-quiz.htmlAdvances in Navigation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_navigationhttp://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Mi-Oc/Navigation-at-Sea-History-of.htmlhttp://www.citylab.com/tech/2013/04/7-examples-how-we-used-navigate-world-around-us/5286/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_chronometerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SextantTerra Australis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terra_Australishttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terra_incognitahttp://www.theguardian.com/culture/australia-culture-blog/gallery/2014/jan/20/national-gallery-maps-collection-gallery#img-4https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_DalrympleBritish Empire: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empirehttp://www.atlasofbritempire.comhttp://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/British_Empirehttp://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?ParagraphID=hklhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/east_india_01.shtmlJames Cook: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Cookhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_voyage_of_James_Cookhttp://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cook-james-1917http://www.captaincooksociety.comTransit of Venus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transit_of_Venushttp://www.exploratorium.edu/venus/question4.htmlCook in Tahiti: https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/c/cook/james/c77j/chapter3.htmlCook in New Zealand: http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks/e00043.html#ch5Cook in New Holland: http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks/e00043.html#ch8Joseph Banks: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Bankshttp://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/banks-sir-joseph-1737http://www2.sl.nsw.gov.au/banks/http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks05/0501141h.htmlhttps://www.anbg.gov.au/biography/banks-joseph.htmlBotany Bay: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botany_Bayhttps://www.plantexplorers.com/explorers/biographies/banks/joseph-banks-01.htmhttps://www.anbg.gov.au/botanical-history/botanical-discovery.htmlGeorge Collingridge: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Collingridgehttp://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/collingridge-de-tourcey-george-alphonse-5733http://gutenberg.net.au/pages/collingridge.html

NOTEMAKING.

This is the collation stage of the activity. Encourage students to compose the suggested summaries and to organise the field of information and begin to explore its context. This activity could be done in teams, groups, or by individuals, or as a class with teacher direction.

1. Draw up a timeline / chronological chart of the events described and discussed in this program.

2. Note details of the “Age of Discovery” or European exploration.

3. Note details of Terra Australis Incognita.

4. Note details of the British Empire in the 18th century.

5. Note details of advances in navigation in the 18th century.

6. Note details of the career of James Cook.

7. Note details of the voyages of James Cook.

8. Note details of the discovery of the east coast of New Holland.

9. Note details of the career of (Sir) Joseph Banks.

10. Note details of the controversy around George Collingridge.

ISSUES & INQUIRY.

Address and discuss the key issues and questions that have been raised by the video at this stage.Some are suggested below. Students will probably raise others.

1. Why were the English interested in exploring the Pacific Ocean? What other European “power” was present in this region? Implications?

2. Why was Cook’s mission to Tahiti a “failure”?

PROBLEMS of EVIDENCE.

It is necessary always to address questions of reliability and validity of the perspectives, evidence and sources presented in the documentary and other sources. These need to be considered, tested and researched. Some are suggested below. Students will probably raise others.

1. What were Cook’s “secret” orders?

2. What evidence did George Collingridge use in his alternative story of the discovery of the east coast of New Holland?

REPORTING.

Use the key issues and inquiry questions as topics for debate, essay writing, reports, historical recount and explanation.

Be imaginative. A report, or debate notes, could be a digital “essay” of slides and text…or any other IT application available.

1. Plot Cook’s 1769-1770 voyage on a map and write a REPORT on his discoveries.

2. Prepare a list of career achievements to illustrate why James Cook became a “super star” of his times?

3. Why did the British want to explore the South Pacific Ocean?