Page 82 - Hawaii: Diving, Surfing, Pearl Harbor, Volcanoes and More

he esteem which the islanders never- friendly, benevolent and humane. His per- Cook’s contributions to knowledge were
T theless held for Cook caused them to son was above six feet high: and, though internationally recognized during his life-
retain his body. Following their practice a good looking man, he was plain both in time. In 1779, while the American colonies
of the time, they prepared his body with dress and appearance. His face was full of were fighting Britain for their independ-
funerary rituals usually reserved for the expression: his nose extremely well shaped: ence, Benjamin Franklin wrote to captains
chiefs and highest elders of the society. The his eyes which were small and of a brown of colonial warships at sea, recommending
body was disembowelled, baked to facili- cast, were quick and piercing; his eyebrows that if they came into contact with Cook’s
tate removal of the flesh, and the bones prominent, which gave his countenance vessel, they were to “not consider her an
were carefully cleaned for preservation as altogether an air of austerity.” enemy, nor suffer any plunder to be made
religious icons in a fashion somewhat remi- of the effects contained in her, nor ob-
niscent of the treatment of European saints everal officers who served under Cook struct her immediate return to England by
in the Middle Ages. Some of Cook’s remains, S went on to distinctive accomplish- detaining her or sending her into any other
thus preserved, were eventually returned to ments. William Bligh, Cook’s sailing master, part of Europe or to America; but that you
his crew for a formal burial at sea. was given command of HMS Bounty in 1787 treat the said Captain Cook and his people
to sail to Tahiti and return with breadfruit. with all civility and kindness, as common
avid Samwell, who sailed with Cook Bligh is most known for the mutiny of his friends to mankind.” Unknown to Franklin,
D on the Resolution, wrote of him: “He crew which resulted in his being set adrift Cook had met his death a month before this
was a modest man, and rather bashful; of in 1789. He later became governor of New “passport” was written.
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.