Endeavour

"In 1767, the Royal Society of London petitioned King George III for a ship to send to the South Seas. Here they wished to view the transit of the planet Venus across the Sun, due to take place on 3 June 1769. This important event had international cooperation with over 150 observers taking part around the world. Astronomers hope that, by compiling all their results, the distance of the Earth from the Sun could be calculated.

"Endeavour was fitted out for the voyage, and astronomer Charles Green was chosen to sail with them to the newly-discovered island of Tahiti, where the observation would take place. Assisted by Captain James Cook and a number of the Endeavour's officers, Green successfully noted the times for the transit. Due to the inaccuracy of telescopes of this period, the overall results from around the world were disappointing, and the desired measurement was not achieved.

"Cook then followed his "secret" orders from the Admiralty -- to search for the supposed Great South Land between latitudes 30 and 40 degrees. Unable to find this land, he continued to New Zealand, charted both islands, and took notes on the people and their way of life. He sailed to the east coast of New Holland (Australia), and turning Endeavour north, sailed up the east coast. Charting this unknown land for the first time, he nearly wrecked Endeavour on the hidden Great Barrier Reef. Before leaving, Cook took possession of the eastern portion of Australia in the name of King George III."