Unit/ Formation: His Majesty's Marine Forces
Location: Plymouth Sound
Period/ Conflict:
Year: 1772
Date/s: 13 July 1772
HMS Resolution Commanded by Captain Cook, and HMS Adventure Commanded by Lieutenant Furneaux, set sail from Plymouth Sound on Monday 13 July 1772 , via Madiera (July - August) and Cape Town, South Africa (October - November), towards the Antarctic in search of the Great Southern Continent.
Resolution began her career as the 462 ton North Seacollier Marquis of Granby, launched at Whitby in 1770, purchased by the Royal Navy in 1771 for £4,151, and converted to naval specifications for a cost of £6,565. She was 111 feet (34 m) long and 35 feet (11 m) abeam. She was originally registered as HMS Drake, but fearing this would upset the Spanish, she was renamed Resolution, on 25 December 1771.
She was fitted out at Deptford with the most advanced navigational aids of the day, including an azimuth compass made by Henry Gregory, ice anchors and the latest apparatus for distilling fresh water from sea water. Twelve light 6-pounder guns and twelve swivel guns were carried.
The second voyage of James Cook, from 1772 to 1775, commissioned by the British government with advice from the Royal Society, was designed to circumnavigate the globe as far south as possible to finally determine whether there was any great southern landmass, or Terra Australis.
The Marine detachment that joined HMS Resolution;
Mollineux. John Sergeant.
Mills. Alexander Corporal.
Lane. John Drummer. Private.
Lear. Daniel Private.
Stewart. Donald Private.
Allden. William Private.
Reed. Richard Private.
Thomas. John Private.
Kearney. William Private.
Sommerfield. Bonaventure Private.
Rosa. Alexander Private.
Scott. James 2/Lt. Promoted on the 11th June 1772, and Joined HMS Resolution on the 7th July.
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