84 NORTHMOST AUSTRALIA 



above-named, except Banks and Solander, died on the voyage. 

 As Banks was merely a passenger, and therefore practically inde- 

 pendent of Captain Cook, it would not have been surprising if 

 friction had arisen. But he was plentifully endowed with judg- 

 ment as well as with initiative and technical knowledge, and was 

 able to render signal services during the voyage, and afterwards 

 to help the Government with sage advice regarding the conduct 

 of the newly acquired colony of New South Wales. Considering 

 that the observations of Cook and Banks sometimes overlapped, and 

 that their journals were written simultaneously, but independently, 

 and that Cook, although self-taught, possessed no mean scientific 

 knowledge, it is, indeed, much to the credit of both men that their 

 intercourse was never marred by jealousy. The obvious explana- 

 tion is that both were gentlemen in the finest sense of the word. 

 It is, nevertheless, a fact that, reading between the lines of both of 

 their journals, one can find here and there a trace of human weak- 

 ness. The one can enjoy a joke which tells against the other. 



The transit of Venus was duly and successfully observed at 

 Tahiti, the locality selected for the purpose. Intimate relations 

 were established with the natives of the islands during a residence 

 of three months, and showed that an unsophisticated race had 

 attained a measure of civilisation along ethical lines differing widely 

 from those of Europe. New Zealand was next visited, and the 

 information given by Tasman was greatly added to, the essential 

 division of the land into two large islands being established. 



Early in the year 1770, Cook set sail from New Zealand and 

 struck the east coast of Australia near Cape Howe. Following the 

 coast to the north, he made his first landing on 2%th A'pril at 

 BOTANY BAY, where he stayed till 6th May. Fresh water was 

 taken on board and Banks and Solander revelled in new realms of 

 natural history. Daily attempts were made to cultivate the 

 friendship of the natives, who, unfortunately, proved hostile and 

 suspicious, and on several occasions threw spears. It was observed 

 that they used wimmeras. 



Leaving Botany Bay, Cook followed the coast north and north- 

 west, giving to the majority of the capes and bays the names which 

 they now bear. His landings were few and brief, and were made 

 chiefly in search of fresh water. His first landing at the base of 

 Cape York Peninsula was at TRINITY BAY, on loth June. (SEE 

 MAP G.) It was at CAPE TRIBULATION that his troubles began, 

 on the night of that same day. In fine weather and clear moon- 

 light, the ship stuck fast on a coral reef, and began to leak in an 

 alarming manner. Ballast, six guns, and other material over 

 50 tons were jettisoned, and at length, by throwing out anchors, 

 the " Endeavour " was warped into deep water. The leak was 

 temporarily overcome by the process known as " fothering," i.e., 

 a sail was passed below the keel and secured at both bulwarks and 



