Captain James Cook

1728-1779

Captain James Cook was born Marton, Yorkshire October 27, 1728; he was one of seven children born to an agricultural labourer. His wife, Elizabeth Betts or Batts, was born in Wapping and lived at 88 Mile End Rd in a comfortable small house. They married soon after his return to England in 1762.

The area still retained its rusticity when he set sail for his last voyage in 1776 to discover a passage round the north coast of America from the Pacific. Betts Street is named for his wife. His son was baptised at St Paul's, Shadwell in 1763. All of their six children died before her. His wife continued to live in the Mile End house for many years after his death.

A mile or so away is the riverside tavern called "The Prospect of Whitby". In 1755 Captain Cook was the mate of a Whitby boat that was lying off Wapping when he joined the Royal Navy as a seaman on the Eagle.

Cook was an active parishioner of St. Paul's Shadwell, traditionally known as the Church of Sea Captains. James Cook, the eldest son of the Captain, was baptised at this church in 1763. There is a board outside which includes Cook's name.

Nearby Swedenborg Square and its church was the centre of the Swedish community in London. In 1782, Daniel Solander, who went on Cook's first voyage and later became Joseph Bank's secretary was buried. His remains were removed to Stockholm by the Swedish Government in 1908.

In Deptford, across the Thames, ws the great shipyard where Cook's ships were fitted out.

Link to Captain Cook Website