In 2018, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of this, one of the greatest voyages of discovery ever made, Penguin Books released a new edition of Anthony Hill's 2008 novel, Captain Cook's Apprentice
Synopsis (From the back cover)
The enthralling story of Captain Cook's voyage to Australia, as seen through the eager eyes of a cabin
boy.
When young Isaac Manley sailed on the Endeavour from England in 1768, no one on board knew if a mysterious southern continent existed in the vast Pacific Ocean. It would be a voyage full of uncertainties and terrors.
During the course of the three-year journey, Isaac’s eyes are opened to all the brutal realities of life at sea – floggings, storms, press-gangs, the deaths of fellow crewmen, and violent clashes on distant shores.
Yet Isaac also experiences the tropical beauty of Tahiti, where he becomes enchanted with a beautiful Tahitian girl. He sees the wonders of New Zealand, and he is there when the men of Endeavour first glimpse the east coast of Australia, anchor in Botany Bay, and run aground on the Great Barrier Reef.
My Thoughts
Having lived for a number of years in a Melbourne suburb where the streets are named after Cook, his ship, crew and the supernumeraries on board, I was constantly reminded of this famous voyage and was surprised that I had not come across the story of Isaac Manley until I became aware of this book.
This is a very interesting read, not only for the scope of the voyage undertaken, which lasted three years, but the details of life on board an 18th century sailing ship; in this case, a modified coal collier.
Isaac Manley's story of his first sea voyage begins with the thirteen-year-old shooting the rapids of the Thames to prove to himself that he is brave enough for the voyage he is about to undertake. Hill portrays Isaac's emotions very well, from his initial sadness at being separated from his family and wondering whether he will ever see them again, to his excitement and trepidation at going to sea for the first time.
Hill also describes Isaac's great work ethic that sees him apply himself to his studies to rise from cabin boy to Admiral, a rank he held at his death in 1837. Another interesting fact about Isaac is that he outlived all those who sailed with him on the Endeavour.
The Age of Sail has always fascinated me, especially how large sailing ships were manoeuvred, the skills required to do so and how crews dealt with any crisis that arose while at sea. It was no wonder then that I found the passages describing the repairs made to the Endeavour when it was holed on a reef, and the methods used to re-float it, amazing as well as educational.
Another interesting snippet of information that I hadn't known was how Cook tackled scurvy. He ordered his crew to eat sauerkraut. Non compliance of this order resulted in a flogging.
Apart from observing the transit of Venus, Cook was commissioned to confirm the existence of a great southern land mass. While he was unsuccessful in this, he did map the east coast of Australia, naming features that still bear those names today. He also circumnavigated the islands of New Zealand.
I enjoyed this glimpse of history through the eyes of a boy unprepared for the reality of a life at sea, but who returned home a young man wiser in the ways of the world after a great adventure. I'm sure younger readers will enjoy Isaac's story too.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Australia for a complimentary copy of this book.
I’ve never heard of this book, it sounds interesting though. Thanks for sharing your thoughts
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
Delete