From a modern perspective, the momentous voyages by Captain James Cook and his crews detailed in a new exhibition is probably long overdue.

The British Library – no not the Maritime Museum as one would expect – has currently an exhibition detailing in an interesting way the famous three voyages of (European) exploration essentially around the Pacific basin. It was an area virtually unknown to European navigators apart from the fringes in places up to the middle of the 1700s – strange as it may seem.

Larger than life poster in the British Library entrance…

As is often the case with these special exhibitions one is not allowed to take photographs … however, I have reproduced some bits from the guide, which is credited to the British library, although now public property.

The exhibition discussed the time period – The Enlightenment – when much was being discovered and worked out in a way not seen or done before. The passage through takes you aboard the ships and onto the islands and shores visited. Film sections discuss the longer lasting effects of ‘first contact’ with Europeans and many other peoples. Some comment was, I would say, bitter. I’d like to have asked if the status quo was wanted, i.e., the before. An Australian perspective by a native of the land and a person of European descent was interesting – both talked of our land, our joint destiny.

Page from guide…

I was greatly interested in spotting a River Thames situated in the top of the North island of New Zealand – whether or not it has reverted to its native name, I do not know. It has a similar shaped estuary – hence the name I suppose! The page above has my doodle noting this…

Further page detailing section on 2nd and 3rd Voyages…

The voyages…

I and the Mate found the exhibition very worthwhile and informative. It explores aspects not often discussed and made one think quite hard too … if we ever ‘find’ anyone out in space, some form of ‘first contact’ principle would surely be needed. Star Trek!

Go and enjoy.