Introduction:

“At nightfall rocks and shoals were seen ahead… at supper she (HMB Endeavour) went over a bank of 7 or 8 fathom water which she came upon very suddenly: this we concluded to be the tail of the Shoals we had seen at sunset and therefore went to bed in perfect security, but scarce were we warm in our beds when we were called up with the alarming news of the ship being fast ashore upon a rock, which she in a few moments convinced us of by beating very violently against the rocks.” Joseph Banks, HMB Endeavour, 11 June, 1770.

A study of historical journals reveals much about the discoveries made by early explorers. Discoveries are recorded in detail, observations of the flora and fauna are accompanied by sketches and drawings. They lend much to creating a picture of what life was like at the time.

Banks also writes, “In gathering plants today I myself had the good fortune to see the beast so much talked of; he was not only like a grey hound in size and running but had a long tail, as long as any grey hounds; what to liken him to I could not tell, nothing certainly that I have seen at all resembles him.”

Journals are a valuable tool in recreating the past. They are a primary resource we can use to gain insight into the life and times of the early day explorer.

Vocabulary: On Land and Sea with Captain Cook

• Terra Australis Incognita
• Flora
• Fauna
• Journaling
• Charted
• Inhabitants

Materials:

• Journals
• sketches/clip art
• Copies of maps
• pencils, sketching materials
• glue/glue sticks
• Selection of papersglue/glue sticks

Preparation:

• Investigate historical excerpts from expedition journals.
• Brainstorm ideas as to what effectively creates and describes an event/situation for your readers.
• Create a journal to record observations and ideas.

Procedure:

• With a partner, read excerpts from Captain Cook’s and Joseph Banks’ journals documenting their time at the Endeavour River, Australia.
• Discuss the (5) W’s of effective reporting and writing strategies (who, what, when, where, why, how)
• Create a ‘look’ to your journal by using sketches, clip art, copies of old/new maps, which create an interesting visual of what your journal may contain.
• Analyze the writing strategies used in historical diaries/journals to document an event. (note the difference in spellings from today’s usage)
• Pretend you are one of the individuals participating in the historical event of Captain Cook’s landing at the Endeavour River, i.e., sailor on the HMS Endeavour, scientific crew member sent to record newly discovered flora/fauna of recently discovered lands, Aboriginal tribe member encountering Cook’s landing party, etc.
• Create a journal entry describing your experiences. Supplement your journal with sketches or examples of items that help to create the experience you are describing.

Analyze and Conclude:

• What were the most interesting things that were observed/recorded in the historical journals that you studied?
• What were the big ideas that were relevant to you?
• What skills do you need to create journal entries that inform and entertain?
• Which of your observations and comments would you most like to share as a learning tool for others?

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