caught in a gale off the coast of Hawaii. February 4th, 1779
On February 4th, 1779, H.M.S. Resolution and H.M.S. Discovery departed from Kealakekua Bay and stood out to sea. The two ships were followed by large numbers of canoes as the Hawaiians gave their farewells. For Captain James Cook the sadness of departure must have been mixed with a certain amount of satisfaction, for his policy of fair treatment of the islanders had proven to be the best policy. And if matters could have been left as they were, history might have followed a different path. However, as the Resolution and Discovery sailed northward along the Kona Coast a violent storm conspired for a different and fatal outcome by forcing Cook and his ships to return to Kealakakua Bay for necessary repairs
This view from on board the Discovery shows the Discovery’s main T’gallant yard being passed down to the deck, carefully swung perpendicular to the wind and attached to and safely lowered along the back stay to the deck. Nearby plunging into the mountainous waves, the Resolution struggles with split fore and main topsails as wind and wave rise alarmingly under the flash of lightning.
Image Size: 28” x 24” ; unf... $900.00
