The ‘Resolution’ Journal of Johann Reinhold Forster, 1772-1775. Vol. I

1982

Journals G161 H2 Ser. 2 no. 152

London: The Hakluyt Society

Reverend and naturalist, Johann Forster (1729-98) and his son George (1754-94) were late additions to Captain Cook’s second voyage in 1772. Sir Joseph Banks had resigned in a huff after his required ship modifications were denied by the Admiralty; Forster was his replacement. After leaving Plymouth in July of 1772, Forster and his son, aboard Cook’s ship Resolution, sailed south. Michael Hoare’s introduction to this Hakluyt volume describes it as ‘probably the most important of the three great circumnavigations’ in terms of science. The three year voyage is on this map; the ship and crew completed the ‘first known crossing of the Antarctic Circle’, among other accomplishments.