A Rare Manuscript from Cook’s Second Voyage
Among the many extraordinary historical documents associated with Captain James Cook, few are as compelling as this rare letter, written in Cook’s own hand, aboard HMS Resolution. Dated 9 March 1772, this letter was penned while the ship was docked at Deptford, finalising preparations before setting sail on what would become Cook’s arduous second voyage.
In this remarkable correspondence, addressed to an official of the English East India Company, Cook pleads for the release of one of his men, James Keaton, who had been forcibly conscripted into the company’s service through the notorious practice of press-ganging.
The Challenge of Press-Gangs in 18th-Century Naval Life
At the time, press-gangs were a constant threat to captains assembling their crews, and Cook’s situation in 1772 was particularly difficult. His voyage had already faced prolonged delays, causing frustration and attrition among his men. Many sailors had abandoned the Resolution during the extended refit period, with fifty-eight crew members recorded as having deserted and another thirty-nine discharged for various reasons (as documented in John Robson’s extensive database on Cook’s expeditions).
The historical significance of this document is heightened by the fact that James Keaton is otherwise unknown in Cook’s records, making this letter a unique piece of insight into the challenges faced by the legendary navigator. Interestingly, Cook states that Keaton had been taken “as a soldier,” despite the official detachment of marines only coming aboard on 29 April 1772. This suggests that even in the chaos of Deptford’s bustling port, Cook remained acutely aware of the fate of his crew.
The East India Company Connection
The letter is addressed to “Mr Coggin”, almost certainly a reference to Charles Thomas Coggan, a director of the East India Company and Comptroller of Shipping at the time. Coggan later enjoyed a distinguished career, eventually becoming the company’s paymaster by 1811.
It is likely that Cook was aware that the 499-ton East Indiaman Devonshire, commanded by Captain Robert Morgan, was in port, as this vessel later set sail from Portsmouth on 12 April 1772 (as recorded in Charles Hardy’s Register of Ships Employed in the Service of the Honourable the United East India Company).
A Fascinating Glimpse into Naval History
This manuscript not only sheds light on the hardships of assembling a voyage but also highlights the constant battle for manpower that captains like Cook had to endure. For collectors and historians alike, it represents a unique and invaluable glimpse into the personal and logistical challenges of one of the greatest explorers in history.
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