VIEWS COOK VOYAGES 1 2 & 3

From Bankes New System of Geography.]

Hula, the Hawaiian word for dance, was a sacred component of Hawaiian culture. It is said to have been introduced to Hawai'i from Tahiti, along with the pahu hula, a large, sharkskin-covered drum, and long bamboo tapping sticks called ka'eke'eke. These provided rhythmic accompaniment to the chants recited from memory that provided the hula with its often-poetic story line.

The hula was performed as part of sacred temple ceremonials, to honor the genealogies of high-ranking chiefs, as well as in popular performances that attracted commoners and royalty alike. Both men and women performed hula, with numerous stylistic differences that evolved over centuries. Dancers might perform individually or in large, carefully choreographed groups.

The solo dancer pictured in this image is seen holding an uli'uli, a feather-covered gourd rattle. On his calves are leggings made of loose-hanging dog's teeth. Called kupe'e niho 'ilio, they weighed up to ten pounds and included as many as 1,356 teeth, adding rhythmic accompaniment to the dancer's leg movements. The tattoos on the dancer's arms and legs are an example of the elaborate decoration in Hawaii

On 1st July, 1778 Captain James Cook in the Resolution and Captain Charles Clerke in the Discovery were in English Bay, Unalaska, on the West coast of America.
"It is called by the Natives Samgoonoodha", wrote Cook, "here is great plenty of good Water but not a single Stick of Wood great or small."

"several of the larger Canoes saluted us, by making a Circuit round the ships and giving 3 Halloos at their departure. they paddle in most excellent time, the foremost man every 3d or 4th Stroke making flourishes with his paddle. the halloo is a single note in which they all join, swelling it out in the middle and letting the Sound die away."

Cook named the area on 16th "Norton Sound, in honour of Sr Fletcher, speaker of the House of Commons.

Cook's Journal;

"a family of the Natives came near to the place where we were taking off wood; I know not how many there were at first, I saw no more than a Man, his wife and child".

The sea horse, also known as the morse, is now called the walrus. Ledyard described them as "between a quadrupede and a fish, their heads are somewhat like those of a dog, without ears, except two large white tusks that project downward from the upper jaw… they have a thick skin like that of a horse". Gilbert considered the name sea horse. "Why they are so called I can't imagine, for they bear not the smallest resemblance to that animal."

Captain James Cook's (Cat. no. 18) third voyage of exploration, begun in 1776, eventually took him to Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island where he arrived in March 1778. The expedition stopped for almost a month taking on supplies fo water and wood and making repairs to the two ships. Here Cook and his crew were greeted by the native people with whom they traded and socialized. John Webber, the expediton artist, made several drawings during the expedition recording the activities and artifacts of the native people, as well as making some portrait sketches which are among the first European portraits done of native peoples of the Canadian west coast.

"After having made a general view of their habitations, I sought for an inside, which might furnish me with sufficient matter to convey a perfect idea of the mode in which these people live. Such was soon found. While I was employed, a man approached me wi th a large knife in his hand, seemingly displeased, when he observed that my eyes were fixed on two representations of human figures, which were placed at one end of the apartment, carved on planks, of a gigantic proportion, and painted after their custom . However, I took as little notice of him as possible, and proceeded; to prevent which, he soon provided himself with a mat, and placed it in such a manner as to hinder my having any longer a sight of them. Being pretty certain that I could have no futur e opportunity to finish my drawing, and the object being too interesting to be omitted, I considered that a little bribery might probably have some effect. Accordingly, I made an offer of a button from my coat, which, being of metal, I thought they would be pleased with. This, instantly, produced the desired effect. For the mat was removed, and I was left at liberty to proceed as before. Scarcely had I seated myself, and made a beginning, when he returned and renewed his former practice, continuing it til l I had parted with every single button; and when he saw that he had completely stripped me, I met with no farther obstruction".

Waimea on the island of Kauai, Hawaii.

In this image in the village of Waimea, two natives are shown rolling a wooden barrel filled with water toward the beach, while a crewman, centre foreground, rolls an empty barrel toward the inland pond. Several other crewmen, muskets in hand and swords at their side, are trading with the natives.

Cook's journal:

"We no sooner landed than a trade was set on foot for hogs and potatoes, which the people gave us in exchange for nails and pieces of iron formed into something like chisels. We met with no obstructions in watering, on the contrary the Natives assisted our people to roll the casks to and from the pond."

In general, this idyllic scene represents an image of serenity and prosperity consistent with Cook's observations about the native lifestyle that he found in his travels about the islands. It also is indicative of Webber's keen eye for detail.

Cook's Journal - January 21, 1778

Joppien Smith 3.167A
(But incorrectly? titled "An Island View if Atooi"

From the official account of Cook's 2nd voyage. A rarely found unfolded example, normally found with a centre fold.

They returned to the ship. "No boys could be more pleas'd than we were in being carryed down to the boat by Dogs. We had all a separate Carriage, & so polite were the Natives that one Sledge carried the boat hook. These sledges are so light, & their construction so well Contrived, that they went over places which it would have been impossible for us to Walk."