On 22 August 1770, Cook claimed for Great Britain the section of the eastern coast of New Holland which had not been charted by the Dutch. Cook did not believe that he had been successful in finding the southern continent of 'Terres Australes' or 'lands in the south'.

On Cook's second Pacific voyage (1772-1775), he sailed further south than any other European, and circled what is now known as Antarctica. However, ice surrounding the continent prevented the sighting of land, and the existence of the Antarctica was not verified until 1840.

In July 1776 Cook set sail on his third voyage, searching for a possible northwest sea route between the Atlantic and Pacific. He became the first known European to reach the Hawaiian Islands. Cook then sailed up the northwest coast of North America, through the Bering Strait, and entered the Arctic Ocean. Ice blocked the expedition, so Cook returned to the Hawaiian Islands where, on 14 February 1779, he was killed by islanders while investigating the theft of a boat.

Cook's voyages provided factual knowledge of the southern hemisphere seas and led to the establishment of colonies throughout the Pacific by several European countries.

Cook, James, 1728-1779