Page 47 - French Polynesia

he esteem which the islanders never- friendly, benevolent and humane. His per- Cook’s contributions to knowledge were
son was above six feet high: and, though internationally recognized during his life-
T theless held for Cook caused them to time. In 1779, while the American colonies
retain his body. Following their practice a good looking man, he was plain both in were fighting Britain for their independ-
ence, Benjamin Franklin wrote to captains
of the time, they prepared his body with dress and appearance. His face was full of of colonial warships at sea, recommending
that if they came into contact with Cook’s
funerary rituals usually reserved for the expression: his nose extremely well shaped: vessel, they were to “not consider her an
enemy, nor suffer any plunder to be made
chiefs and highest elders of the society. The his eyes which were small and of a brown of the effects contained in her, nor ob-
struct her immediate return to England by
body was disembowelled, baked to facili- cast, were quick and piercing; his eyebrows detaining her or sending her into any other
part of Europe or to America; but that you
tate removal of the flesh, and the bones prominent, which gave his countenance treat the said Captain Cook and his people
with all civility and kindness, as common
were carefully cleaned for preservation as altogether an air of austerity.” friends to mankind.” Unknown to Franklin,
Cook had met his death a month before this
religious icons in a fashion somewhat remi- “passport” was written.
niscent of the treatment of European saints
everal officers who served under Cook
Sin the Middle Ages. Some of Cook’s remains, went on to distinctive accomplish-

thus preserved, were eventually returned to ments. William Bligh, Cook’s sailing master,

his crew for a formal burial at sea. was given command of HMS Bounty in 1787

D avid Samwell, who sailed with Cook to sail to Tahiti and return with breadfruit.
on the Resolution, wrote of him: “He Bligh is most known for the mutiny of his
crew which resulted in his being set adrift

was a modest man, and rather bashful; of in 1789. He later became governor of New

an agreeable lively conversation, sensible South Wales, where he was subject of

and intelligent. In temper he was some- another mutiny—the only successful armed

what hasty, but of a disposition the most takeover of an Australian government.