Cook's second Pacific voyage
In July 1772, Cook left England on the Resolution in another attempt to find the southern continent. This expedition included a second ship, the Adventure.
Cook sailed farther south than any European had ever gone. He faced many hazards in the cold Antarctic waters. Jagged mountains of ice as high as 60 feet (18 meters) often blocked the way. Powerful winds blew icebergs toward the ships, and blinding fog increased the danger, especially at night. Cook circled Antarctica, but ice surrounded it and prevented him from sighting land. The existence of the continent remained unproven until 1840.
In 1773 and 1774, Cook became the first European to visit a number of Pacific islands, including the Cook Islands and New Caledonia. He arrived back in England in July 1775 and was promoted to captain.
Excerpt adapted from the "James Cook" article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999