Third Voyage Brings Disaster

Expedition number three was to reconnoiter the Pacific coast of Canada and make a search for the supposed Northwest Passage linking the Pacific and Atlantic via the Arctic Ocean. It proved to be Captain Cook’s final voyage. He set out from England on July 12, 1776, on the refitted Resolution, taking also the ship Discovery. On January 18, 1778, he came upon what are now known as the Hawaiian Islands, where he and his men were received hospitably. They reprovisioned in those beautiful islands, then spent the northern summer of that year in a vain attempt to find a passage to the Atlantic. They then returned to winter in Hawaii.

Historians are undecided as to what caused a seeming change in behavior on Cook’s part at this point. There are question marks as to his treatment of the Hawaiians on his return. Some suggest that he now began cruelly to exploit them. Others question whether he violated their cycles of worship. Whatever the real truth of the matter, it was here that he met his death on February 14, 1779.

How did he die? On their return to Kealakekua Bay on January 17, the explorers had been greeted by 10,000 Hawaiians. The islanders were celebrating the festival of makahiki to their god Lono, the god of the land. It seems that Cook was feted as the god Lono, and he and his men were extended extraordinary kindness and hospitality once again. Three weeks later, on February 4, they weighed anchor and set sail. But just four days out, they struck a severe hurricane, and the Resolution lost a mast. Cook returned to Hawaii.

To Cook’s surprise, this time the reception was hostile. Some believe that the Hawaiians may have now thought things out more rationally and concluded they were being exploited by Cook and his men. Others suggest that Cook’s return was inconsistent with his being a “god.” Whatever the reason, Cook’s perplexed men unfortunately reacted violently. This led to the theft of a boat from the Discovery. Cook attempted to retrieve the vessel by trying to take the chief, Kalaniopu’u, as hostage. Confrontation followed, and Cook was stabbed and then beaten to death on the beach.

The journal of a Resolution crew member, midshipman George Gilbert, describes in graphic detail the last few minutes of Cook’s life. (Notice the unusual Old English spelling.) “Capt Cook had not sooner got to the water side and waved to the boats to give over fireing, when one of the Cheifs more daring than the rest steeped behind and stabed him betwixt the shoulders with an Iron Dagger. Another at that Instant gave him a blow with a club on the head by which he fell into the water; they immediately leaped in after and keeped Him under for a few minuits, then hauled him out upon the rocks and beat his head against them several times; so that there is no doubt but that he quickly expired.”

[Pictures on page 15]

Cook’s violent death in Hawaii