Q:
How Did Captain James Cook Die?
A:
Quick Answer
Royal Navy Captain James Cook died on February 14, 1779, after he was stabbed in a scuffle with Hawaiian islanders when he attempted to take the local leader hostage. His death occurred during his third exploratory voyage on the HMS Endeavour.
Continue Reading
Credit:
Hulton Archive
Hulton Archive
Getty Images
Full Answer
Cook's third voyage was a failed attempt to find the fabled North-West Passage believed to link the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. When he could not find the route, he took his two ships and explored the island of Hawaii.
Cook and his crew were the first Europeans to ever see Australia, which Cook named New South Wales and claimed for Great Britain in 1769. He was hoping to locate the southernmost continent, Antarctica, which had not yet been discovered.
Learn more about Modern HistoryRelated Questions
-
Q:
What Ship Did Captain Cook Sail to Australia?
A: Captain James Cook sailed the HM Bark Endeavour to Australia, marking the first contact between Australia and the European world. The Endeavour was not cla... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Where Did James Cook Go on His Voyage?
A: The English explorer Captain James Cook made three voyages between 1768 and 1779. On the first, he mapped New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia. O... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What Are Some Interesting Facts About James Cook?
A: Captain James Cook was a British explorer who visited six of the seven continents in three voyages occurring between 1768 and 1779. He was the first Europe... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How Did James Cook Die?
A: James Cook died on Feb. 14, 1779, after he was clubbed on the head and speared by a native Hawaiian. His death occurred in a battle on the beach at Kealake... Full Answer >Filed Under:
