Corner Brook in Humber Valley, Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
Captain James Cook, R.N.
Le capitaine James Cook
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2014
1. Captain James Cook, R.N. Marker
English: From 1763 to 1767 Captain Cook. R.N directed a survey embracing the greater part of the coast of Newfoundland. The charting of this coastline was the first scientific, large scale, hydrographic survey to use precise triangulation to establish land outlines. It produced a collection of charts which remained standard for a century. The choice of Cook to carry out Pacific exploration was a result of his success in Newfoundland. Cook’s visit to this area on his ascent of the Humber as far as Deer Lake was part of the fist serious attempt to delineate the inland topography of Newfoundland.
French:
De 1763 à 1767, Le capitaine James Cook, de la Marine royale, procéda au levé topographique de la plus grande partie du littoral de Terre-Neuve. La cartographie du relief cótier de cette grande région constitua le premier levé scientifique de grande envergure par triangulation. On en tira une série de cartes qui firent autorité pendant un siècle. Au cours de ses travaux, Cook remonta la rivière Humber jusqu’au lac Deer, A cause de son succès à Terre-Neuve, il fu chargé de sa premier expédition dans le Pacifique.
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Erected by Historic Sites and Monument Board of Canada/Commission de lieux et monuments historique du Canada.
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 1763.
Location. 48° 57.273′ N, 57° 57.784′ W. Marker is in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, in Humber Valley, Newfoundland. Marker can be reached from Mayfair Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Corner Brook NL A2H, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within walking distance of this marker. Cook comes to Canada (a few steps from this marker).
More about this marker. The Captain James Cook, R.N. Monument is located at the Crow Hill overlook at the north (top) end of Mayfair Avenue. The marker is a short walk from the parking lot.
Regarding Captain James Cook, R.N.. This marker appears to be a replacement for an earlier marker which read:
"Surveyor and Pacific explorer. As Master of H.M.S. " Pembroke" he participated in capture of Louisbourg in 1758 and of Quebec in 1759. During and after these operations he conducted surveys in River and Gulf of St. Lawrence. In 1762, took part in expedition to recapture St. John's, Newfoundland, from the French. In 1761-1766 carried out a thorough survey of the Newfoundland coastal waters, his charts winning highest praise. Observed eclipse of sun 14th
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2014
2. Captain James Cook, R.N. Marker
Also see . . . James Cook - Dictionary of Canadian Biography. On 21 Dec. 1762 he married Elizabeth Batts of Barking (London), though his spell of domesticity was short-lived, for in April 1763 the Admiralty, finding him “a Person well skilled in making Surveys,” instructed him to chart the coasts of Newfoundland. Despite the island’s importance to the North Atlantic cod fishery, and indirectly to Britain’s maritime strength, no detailed and reliable maps of its coastline existed; this deficiency Cook was now to remedy in five seasons of painstaking and conscientious survey work. (Submitted on December 15, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2014
3. A Chart of the West Coast of Newfoundland
This panel exhibits some of the work of Captain Cook's work in Newfoundland.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2014
4. Statue of Captain James Cook
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 1, 2014
5. Statue of Captain James Cook
Photographed By National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, circa 1775
6. Captain James Cook, portrait by Nathaniel Dance-Holland, c. 1775
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 401 times since then and 10 times this year. Last updated on December 15, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 15, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
