Thursday September 23rd, 2010
For the past 12 days, the wind remained very calm and all conditions were favouring our journey. But today the crew and I could sense the rain was going to come eventually, and we prepared for the worst as a precautionary measure.
Friday September 24th, 2010
Today, our fears became reality, as frequent showers of rain prevented any major progress in our journey.
Friday October 22nd, 2010
Rain remained constant for the next week and we were forced to take an alternative route on our way to Rio which involved circling the border of South America and heading north from the southern most part of the continent. However, today the crew realised we had made a bad decision. As we approached the Le Maire Strait alongside Cape St. Diego (a route which Cook had used on the way from Rio to Tahiti), the tide became very rough. As the tide turned numerous times, it made it very difficult to control the direction of the boat.
Sunday October 24th, 2010
As we travelled through the Cape Horn (Chilian Island) we noticed the place where James Cook and his men stopped for a day to meet the natives. Known as Success Bay, I particularly remember what Captain Cook wrote in his journal as he arrived on the island. "The Women Wear a Piece of Skin over their Privy Parts, but the Men observe no such decency", but we realised that we were running late on our schedule, and we had to skip this part of re-living history.
The track taken by our crew through the Le Maire Strait.
Monday October 25th, 2010
As we went through the Strait le Mair, we remembered in February 1769, Cook was advised "all Ships are not to go through this Strait but to go to the Eastward of Staten Land.", but because Cook knew the importance of not losing time, he ignored the advice to go around Staten Island, and progressed along the fastest route. However both Cook and I, knew the dangers of the Strait le Mair, and just like Cook the heavy winds tormented our ship, causing damage to the side of the boat, as we were pushed sideways into a large rock.
The routes of Captain James Cook's voyages.
The first voyage is shown in red (1768 - 1771), second voyage in green (1772 - 1775), and third voyage in blue (1776 - 1779).
The first voyage is shown in red (1768 - 1771), second voyage in green (1772 - 1775), and third voyage in blue (1776 - 1779).
Tuesday October 26th, 2010
Despite the damage to our boat we continued through the journey and today we saw our first sight of Rio De Janeiro. The crew quietly celebrated, and I knew we were going to make it.
Wednesday November 3rd, 2010
We finally made it! The whole crew celebrates, as thousands of Brazilian people awaited to welcome us. It was so overwhelming and it took me at least half an hour to make my way through the crowd.
Thursday November 4th, 2010
Today, my crew and many other helpers, set to work to mend damage to the rear of our ship. Whilst we worked hard, i remembered the first thing Captain James Cook did at this same location, so many years ago. "The few days delay we met with in getting out of Rio de Janeiro gave me an opportunity of Drawing a Plan or Sketch of great part of the Bay".
View of Rio De Janeiro from boat. From a Collection of Drawings made in the Countries visited by Captain Cook in his First Voyage. 1768-1771
