Halifax in Halifax Region, Nova Scotia — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
Captain / Capitaine James Cook
(1728-1779)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 15, 2014
1. Captain / Capitaine James Cook Marker
Before the voyages that brought him world fame as Captain Cook, this British Royal Navy officier complied navigational charts for the coasts of Quebec and Nova Scotia. While based in Halifax from 1758 to 1762, he learned triangulation and other valuable skills, which later enabled him to produce the first scientific, large-scale hydrographic survey of the dangerous coast of Newfoundland. His charts were to remain standard for a century. Cook’s masterful work prompted the Admiralty to choose him to lead three voyages to the Pacific, where his superior skills yielded a rich legacy of scientific and geographical knowledge.
French
Avant les expéditions qui firent sa renommée, cet officier de la marine royale britannique dressa de cartes de navigation pour les côtes du Québec et de la Nouvelle-Écosse. En poste à Halifax de 1758 à 1762, il apprit la triangulation et d’autres habiletés qui l’aidèrent à réaliser la premier levé hydrographique scientifique à grand échelle des côtes périlleuses de Terre-Neuve. Ses cartes firent autorité durant un siècle. Ce travail remarquable incita l’Amirauté à le nommer à la tête de trois voyages d’exploration dans la Pacifique, où ses talents exceptionnels permirent de réaliser de grands avancées pour la science.
Erected by
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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1758.
Location. 44° 39.939′ N, 63° 36.053′ W. Marker is in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in Halifax Region. Marker can be reached from Union Street close to Kenny Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3276 Union Street, Halifax NS B3K, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Fort Needham Memorial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Izaak Walton & Dorothy Johnston Killam (approx. 1.8 kilometers away); Halifax Explosion Unidentified Dead (approx. 1.8 kilometers away); Fairview Lawn Cemetery (approx. 1.9 kilometers away); Halifax and RMS Titanic (approx. 1.9 kilometers away); Vera B. Stone (approx. 2.4 kilometers away); Canadian Military Engineers/Génie militaire canadien (approx. 2.4 kilometers away); "Bridges for Canada"/« Ponts pour le Canada » (approx. 2.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Halifax.
More about this marker. The marker is near the Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 15, 2014
2. Captain / Capitaine James Cook Marker
The Halifax Exploration Memorial Bell Tower is in the background.
Also see . . . James Cook, Sailing Master in Halifax, Nova Scotia. James Cook had the distinction of spending at least thirty three months in Halifax, Nova Scotia during his service on the North American station of the Royal Navy from 1758-62.1 No one, not even Cook would know how crucial this sojourn would be as preparation for his subsequent and justly famous voyages of exploration in the Pacific. (Submitted on October 13, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 548 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 13, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
