Navegación e Historia de la Ciencia: 1768-2018. 250 años del primer viaje de James Cook

Abstract

On August 26, 1768, the British Lieutenant James Cook, commanding the ship HMS Endeavour, sailed from  Plymouth (England). On July 12, 1771, James Cook arrived at the port of Deal (England) after sailing  almost three years. It was his first great voyage, of which this year 2018 the 250th anniversary is  commemorated. James Cook carried out important hydrographic, cartographic and astronomical works.  Although he used cartographic material that Englishmen had seized from the Spaniards in Manila, this fact  does not diminish his merit as a great navigator. He was also the first who used a watch derived from the  Harrison's chronometer, he has been considered the "global father of hydrography" and he was the first  navigator who managed to return from a great voyage with the least number of scurvy cases up to date.