Celebrated Travels and Travellers Vol 2 First part chapter III - Captain Cook’s first voyage part 2

Jules Verne (0:25)

CHAPTER III. PART II. CAPTAIN COOK'S FIRST VOYAGE, II.

Reconnoitering the Eastern Coast of Australia, remarks on the natives and the productions of the country, the Endeavour stranded, perpetual dangers of navigation, crossing Torres Straits, the natives of New Guinea return to England.

On the 31st of March, Cook left Cape Farewell and New Zealand steering westward. On the 19th of April, he perceived land which extended from north east to west in 37 degrees 58 minutes south latitude, and 210 degrees 39 minutes west longitude. In his opinion, judging by Tasman's chart, this was the country called Van Diemen's Land. In any case, he was unable to ascertain whether the portion of the coast before him belonged to Tasmania. He named all the points on his northern voyage, Hicks Point, Ramhead, Cape Howe, Dromedary Mount, Upright Point, Pigeon House, etc.

This part of Australia is mountainous and covered with various kinds of trees. Smoke announced it to be inhabited, but the sparse population ran away as soon as the English prepared to land. The first natives were seen armed with long lances and a piece of wood shaped like a scimitar. This was the famous boomerang, so effective a weapon in the hands of the natives, so useless in that of the Europeans. The faces of the natives were covered with white powder and their bodies were striped with lines of the same color, which, passing obliquely across the chest, resembled the shoulder belts of soldiers. On their thighs and legs they had circles of the same kind, which would have appeared like gators, had not the natives been entirely naked. A little further on the English once more attempted to land, but two natives whom they had previously endeavored to propitiate by throwing them nails, glassware and other trifles, made such menacing demonstrations that they were obliged to fire over their heads. At first they seemed stunned by the detonation, but as they found that they were not wounded they commenced hostilities by throwing stones and javelins. A volley of bullets struck the oldest in his legs. The unfortunate native rushed at once to one of the cabins, but returned with a shield to continue the fight, which was shortly ended when he was convinced of his powerlessness. The English seized the opportunity to land and reached the houses where they found several spears. In the same bay they landed some casks for water, but communication with the natives was hopeless. They fled immediately on the advance of the English.

During an excursion on land, Cook, Banks and Solander found traces of various animals. The birds were plentiful and remarkably beautiful. The great number of plants discovered by the naturalists in this part induce Cook to give it the name of Botany Bay. This bay is, he says, large, safe and convenient. It is situated in 34 degrees south latitude and 208 degrees 37 minutes west longitude. Wood and water were easily procurable there. The trees, according to Cook, were at least as large as the oaks of England, and I saw one which somewhat resembled them. It is that one which distills a red gum, like dragon's blood.

No doubt this was a species of eucalyptus. Among the various kinds of fishes which abounded in these latitudes is the thorn-backed scake, one of which, even after cleaning, weighed 336 pounds.

On the 6th of May Cook left Botany Bay and continued to coast to the north at two or three miles distance from the shore. The navigation along this coast was sufficiently monotonous. The only incidents which imparted a slight animation were the sudden and unexpected differences in the depth of the sea caused by the line of breakers which was necessary to avoid.

Landing a little further on, the navigators ascertained that the country was inferior to that surrounding Botany Bay. The soil was dry and sandy. The sides of the hills were sparsely covered with isolated trees and free from brushwood. The sailors killed a bustard, which was pronounced to be the best game eaten since leaving England. Hence, this point was named Bustard Bay. Numbers of bivalves were found there, especially small pearl oysters. On the 25th of May, the Endeavour, being a mile from land, was opposite a point which exactly crossed the Tropic of Capricorn. The following day it was ascertained that the sea rose and fell seven feet. The flow was westward and the ebb eastward, just the reverse of the case in Botany Bay.

In this spot islands were numerous, the channel narrow and very shallow.

On the 29th Cook landed with Banks and Solaner in a large bay in search of a spot where he could have the keel and bottom of his vessel repaired, but they were scarcely on terra firma when they found their progress impeded by a thick shrub, prickly and studded with sharp seeds, no doubt a species of spinifex, which clung to the clothes, pierced them and penetrated the flesh. At the same time, myriads of gnats and mosquitoes attacked them and covered them with painful bites. A suitable spot for repairs was found, but a watering place was sought in vain. Gum trees growing here and there were covered with enormous ants' nests, and soon deprived of gum by those insects. Numerous brilliantly colored butterflies hovered over the explorers. These were curious facts, interesting from more than one point of view, but they failed to satisfy the captain, who was eager to replenish his water supply.