James Cook

Captain James Cook was a British explorer, navigator, and cartographer who made detailed maps of Newfoundland prior to making three voyages to the Pacific Ocean. During these voyages, he achieved the first recorded European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands, and the first recorded circumnavigation of New Zealand. Cook's scientific approach to exploration, combined with his exceptional skills in hydrography and navigation, set a new standard for maritime expeditions. His charts were so accurate that they remained in use for over a century.