Plymouth (GB), August 27th 1768: Lieutenant James Cook, commanding the British Royal Navy research vessel HM Bark Endeavour, raised anchor for his first journey of exploration of Terra Australis Incognita.
The Endeavour, 30 metres long, brought the crew to Tahiti, 1769, to observe the transit of Venus across the Sun, and after to explore the unknown area of south Pacific Islands and New Zeland. In April 1770 the vessel with her crew was the first ship to reach the east coast of Australia.
On August 27th Captain Cook’s wrote on his journal: “First part fresh Breezes and Cloudy, remainder little wind and Clear. At 2 p.m. got under Sail and put to Sea, having on board 94 Persons, including Officers, Seamen, Gentlemen, and their Servants; near 18 Months’ Provisions, 10 Carriage Guns, 12 Swivels, with good Store of Ammunition and Stores of all kinds”
We will follow the Endeavour’s wake on some of her most important steps. No historical or geographical presumption in our journey, just the pleasure to observe special places across the world and to link them to their discovering, the first maps and the first words over them.
The pleasure to remember how big and unknown our world was less than 250 years ago, how difficult it was to traveling all around it and the will, the years and the courage necessary to discover it.
Copernicus Sentinels satellites will be our eyes on this journey, Lieutenant James Cook our words and drawings.
So, let’s raise the anchor. Plymouth, ESA Sentinel 2, March 26th, 2017.
Products from: https://scihub.copernicus.eu
Copyright: ESA