A New and Complete Chart of the World Displaying the Tracks of Captain Cook and other Modern Navigators

Engraver Thomas Bowen (-1790)

Subject or historical figure Captain James Cook (English, 1728 - 1779)

Datec 1784

Object number00000842

NameMap

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 293 x 480 mm

ClassificationsMaps, charts and plans

Credit LineANMM Collection

Collections

Navigators and Explorers

Terms

DescriptionThis map of the world shows the route of James Cook's three voyages of exploration (1768-80), as well as the ships RACEHORSE and CARCASS which in 1773 under Constantine Phipps became trapped in ice whilst journeying toward the north pole. HistoryThis world map shows the 'tracks' of the ENDEAVOUR in 1768-1771, RESOLUTION and ADVENTURE in 1772-1775, RESOLUTION and DISCOVERY in 1776-1780, and the RACEHORSE and CARCASS in 1773. The map was produced in the 1780s, at the height of interest in voyages of exploration. Cook's voyages are well known, but at the time of publication around 1780, interest in exploration of the Arctic was high. On 4 June 1773 Constantine Phipps commanding HMS RACEHORSE and Skeffington Lutwidge with the CARCASS, set off from Deptford on a voyage towards the North Pole. Both ships were specially strengthened against ice. On board the CARCASS was a young midshipmen, Horatio Nelson. They sailed beyond Svalbard to the Seven Islands, but after becoming stuck fast in ice, were prepared to abandon ship, when the ice retreated. During the voyage Phipps was the first European to describe the Polar Bear. He published an account of the voyage in 1774. Thomas Bowen worked on several engravinging from Cook's voyages and specialised in producing cartographic material including detailed 'views' of islands and maps for the general public. SignificanceThis is an excellent example of the popular interest in maps that showed the 'tracks' of voyages of exploration, particularly James Cook's.