Narrative of the Voyages Round the World, Performed by Captain James Cook | Page 4

eighty-five
years of age when he died.]
Before he was thirteen years of age, he was bound an apprentice to Mr.
William Sanderson, a haberdasher, or shopkeeper, at Straiths, a
considerable fishing town, about ten miles north of Whitby. This
employment, however, was very unsuitable to young Cook's disposition.
The sea was the object of his inclination; and his passion for it could
not avoid being strengthened by the situation of the town in which he
was placed, and the manner of life of the persons with whom he must
frequently converse. Some disagreement having happened between him
and his master, he obtained his discharge, and soon after bound himself
for seven years to Messrs. John and Henry Walker, of Whitby, Quakers
by religious profession, and principal owners of the ship Freelove, and
of another vessel, both of which were constantly employed in the coal
trade. The greatest part of his apprenticeship was spent on board the
Freelove. After he was out of his time, he continued to serve in the coal
and other branches of trade (though chiefly in the former) in the
capacity of a common sailor; till, at length, he was raised to be mate of
one of Mr. John Walker's ships. During this period it is not recollected
that he exhibited anything very peculiar, either in his abilities or his
conduct; though there can be no doubt but that he had gained a
considerable degree of knowledge in the practical part of navigation,
and that his attentive and sagacious mind was laying up a store of
observations, which would be useful to him in future life.
In the spring of the year 1755, when hostilities broke out between
England and France, and there was a hot press for seamen, Mr. Cook
happened to be in the river Thames with the ship to which he belonged.
At first he concealed himself, to avoid being pressed; but reflecting,
that it might be difficult, notwithstanding all his vigilance, to elude

discovery or escape pursuit, he determined, upon farther consideration,
to enter voluntarily into his majesty's service, and to take his future
fortune in the royal navy. Perhaps he had some presage in his own
mind, that by his activity and exertions he might rise considerably
above his present situation. Accordingly, he went to a rendezvous at
Wapping, and entered with an officer of the Eagle man of war, a ship of
sixty guns, at that time commanded by Captain Hamer. To this ship
Captain (afterward Sir Hugh) Palliser was appointed, in the month of
October, 1755; and when he took the command, found in her James
Cook, whom he soon distinguished to be an able, active, and diligent
seaman. All the officers spoke highly in his favour, and the Captain
was so well pleased with his behaviour, that he gave him every
encouragement which lay in his power.
In the course of some time, Captain Palliser received a letter from Mr.
Osbaldeston, then member of Parliament for Scarborough, acquainting
him that several neighbours of his had solicited him to write in favour
of one Cook, on board the captain's ship. They had heard that Captain
Palliser had taken notice of him, and they requested, if he thought Cook
deserving of it, that he would point out in what manner Mr.
Osbaldeston might best contribute his assistance towards forwarding
the young man's promotion. The captain, in his reply, did justice to
Cook's merit; but, as he had been only a short time in the navy,
informed Mr. Osbaldeston that he could not be promoted as a
commission officer. A master's warrant, Captain Palliser added, might
perhaps be procured for Mr. Cook, by which he would be raised to a
station that he was well qualified to discharge with ability and credit.
Such a warrant he obtained on the 10th of May, 1759, for the Grampus
sloop; but the proper master having unexpectedly returned to her, the
appointment did not take place. Four days after he was made master of
the Garland; when, upon inquiry, it was found, that he could not join
her, as the ship had already sailed. On the next day, the 15th of May, he
was appointed to the Mercury. These quick and successive
appointments shew that his interest was strong, and that the intention to
serve him was real and effectual.

The destination of the Mercury was to North America, where she
joined the fleet under the command of Sir Charles Saunders, which, in
conjunction with the land forces under General Wolfe, was engaged in
the famous siege of Quebec. During that siege, a difficult and
dangerous service was necessary to be performed. This was to take the
soundings in the channel of the river St. Lawrence, between the island
of Orleans and the north shore, directly in