Cook and Endeavour- journeys through time seminar

by Shirani Aththas on 17 May 2007 Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour on Sunday 10 June, 10 am to 4 pm.

The Australian National Maritime Museum has arranged a special single-day seminar for Sunday, 10 June, to throw new light on the life and voyages of the great 18th century navigator Captain James Cook.

Everyone with an interest in this towering figure is invited to attend the seminar Cook and Endeavour: journeys through time.

The program will include four eminent speakers:

Emeritus Professor Greg Dening, of the Centre for Cross-Cultural Research at the Australian National University, will introduce Tupaia… the Tahitian priest, architect, artist and map-maker who travelled with Cook on Endeavour.
Professor Fred Watson, Astronomer-in-Charge of the Siding Spring Observatory near Coonabarabran NSW, will discuss navigation by the stars, and outline some of its difficulties… in his own easy-to-understand style.

Dr Nigel Erskine, Curator of Exploration at the Australian National Maritime Museum, will examine the extraordinary coincidence that two of Cook’s ships of exploration – Endeavour and Resolution – ended up on the floor of Newport Harbour, Rhode Island USA.

Martin Terry, Curator of Exhibitions at the National Library of Australia, will suggest that the continuing fascination with Cook as an historical figure results from his ‘floating’ between known facts and an object-rich fantasy world.

The seminar coincides with the publication of Cook, the Discoverer, a new title in the Australian National Maritime Museum – Hordern House series of facsimile printings of rare books on maritime subjects. The 1787 original was written by Georg Forster, a German naturalist who voyaged with Cook on Resolution.

This first edition with an English translation includes an introductory essay by curator Dr Nigel Erskine. Copies will be available at the symposium. The museum’s magnificent replica of Cook’s Endeavour will be open for inspection.

Tickets to Cook and Endeavour: journeys through time, at $60, include morning and afternoon tea, a light lunch and concluding refreshments of wine and cheese. Bookings essential, on (02) 9298 3644, or email members(at)anmm.gov.au