What do you think?
Rate this book
H.M. Bark Endeavour: Her Place in Australian History: With an Account of Her Construction, Crew and Equipment, and a Narrative of Her Voyage on the East Coast of New Holland in the Year 1770
Here, in one accessible volume, is Ray Parkin's highly acclaimed and multi-award winning study of Captain James Cook's Endeavour. This incomparable book is a unique account of a great journey-Endeavour's voyage up the east coast of Australia in 1770-and a remarkable re-creation of the experience of being on board ship. Parkin draws on meticulous research to reveal what the Endeavour looked like, how it sailed, how it smelled, what daily life would have been like for those on board. How many strands of yarn were in the ship's cable? (954.) Did the ship have a lightning conductor? (Yes.) What was the diameter of her main mast? (21 inches.) These details are illustrated by plans and figures depicting the ship's architecture and construction, its deck plan, rigging, sails, armament, boats, cables, anchors and accommodation, all beautifully drawn by Parkin. A composite log of Endeavour's voyage-extracts from journals kept by those on board-is supplemented by an interpretive commentary and explanatory charts. H.M. Bark Endeavour is an absorbing book: discursive, erudite, at times poetic, full of wisdom, insight and information.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
467 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1997
4 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 15, 2014
Parkin, sailor and historian, weaves a modern explanation of 18th century nautical technology through the log of James Cook. Parkin's expertise both as a writer (he has written compelling accounts of the sinking of "The Perth" during WWII and his later experiences on the Burma Railway) and as a naval historian, made this a compelling read. I had the sense that, despite their separation by a couple of centuries, Cook and Parkin were kindred spirits, seeing the world with complexity, compassion and bravery. This book sits on my shelves with the dozen most treasured.
February 26, 2021
H. M. BARK ENDEAVOUR
by Ray Parkin
Interestingly, the author was unable to find a suitable picture of Cook’s Endeavour to create a Christmas card. It was the spark that began a near three-decade journey of discovery, researching and eventually writing a life work, the definitive record of the amazing little vessel James Cook used for his 18th century exploration.
It’s not new, this compilation titled H. M. Bark Endeavour, the hardcover book and accompanying file of 15 drawings set in a slipcase, first published in 1997 in time for the bicentenary of white settlement and now in its third edition
Ray Parkin was a sailor who spent time as a prisoner of the Japanese in WW2. An artist, too, he embarked on his research, including all that had been written before, along with naval charts and plans of the time and, especially, the sketches done by young artist Sydney Parkinson, who accompanied Cook. From all of this, he was able to recreate the most complete record ever of ship, personnel and journey.
Indeed, the accuracy of detail in Parkinson’s line drawings allowed Parkin a chance to correct several misconceptions in earlier renditions of Endeavour, especially those devolving upon plans, appearance and layout. In many ways, while reading this work over the years (this is my third time around), I kept likening Parkin, Cook and Parkinson as kindred spirits, albeit a couple of hundred years apart.
It’s greatly difficult for a review to do justice to the level of work undertaken in establishing such an accurate picture - in both words and drawings - that allows a modern reader the opportunity to understand the triumph and the tragedy of exploration in such fraught times, but try one must.
The first third of the book relates to the acquisition of the Earl of Pembroke in 1768 and its conversion into H. M. Bark Endeavour. Carrying coal from Tyneside to the Thames, the ship was sturdy, had a good carrying capacity, and was thus considered well suited to adaptation for a journey to the South Seas.
In the second part, most of the remainder of the book, the author provides a detailed account of the 1770 voyage that is so important to all Australians, both black and white. The book itself is a near perfect example of historical writing, at times spare but ever evocative. One of its strengths is that Parkin does not make the error of so many others by putting words into the mouths of historical characters. He quotes direct from the ship’s log, and from Cook’s, Banks’ and Parkinson’s journals.
Despite myself (and, I have to accept, my advancing years), I found its reading a bit of a Boys’ Own adventure. This was especially so when, on Monday 11 June 1770, ship and crew came up on what would become forever known as Endeavour Reef. The subsequent adversity and how they managed to extricate themselves from what might have been a voyage-ending calamity is engrossing.
And then there are the drawings, the large scale ones sleeved with the book and those contained within its pages, and the maps. They are not only exemplary but capable of providing many hours’ study.
One of the top half-dozen works on my shelves, I can recommend H. M. Bark Endeavour as a most worthy read. A bit dearish for most, perhaps - although worth every penny from a research viewpoint - it’s a book I believe should be readily available through all State library systems.
RIP, Ray Parkin, 1910 - 2005, and thank you for the gift you gave.
by Ray Parkin
Interestingly, the author was unable to find a suitable picture of Cook’s Endeavour to create a Christmas card. It was the spark that began a near three-decade journey of discovery, researching and eventually writing a life work, the definitive record of the amazing little vessel James Cook used for his 18th century exploration.
It’s not new, this compilation titled H. M. Bark Endeavour, the hardcover book and accompanying file of 15 drawings set in a slipcase, first published in 1997 in time for the bicentenary of white settlement and now in its third edition
Ray Parkin was a sailor who spent time as a prisoner of the Japanese in WW2. An artist, too, he embarked on his research, including all that had been written before, along with naval charts and plans of the time and, especially, the sketches done by young artist Sydney Parkinson, who accompanied Cook. From all of this, he was able to recreate the most complete record ever of ship, personnel and journey.
Indeed, the accuracy of detail in Parkinson’s line drawings allowed Parkin a chance to correct several misconceptions in earlier renditions of Endeavour, especially those devolving upon plans, appearance and layout. In many ways, while reading this work over the years (this is my third time around), I kept likening Parkin, Cook and Parkinson as kindred spirits, albeit a couple of hundred years apart.
It’s greatly difficult for a review to do justice to the level of work undertaken in establishing such an accurate picture - in both words and drawings - that allows a modern reader the opportunity to understand the triumph and the tragedy of exploration in such fraught times, but try one must.
The first third of the book relates to the acquisition of the Earl of Pembroke in 1768 and its conversion into H. M. Bark Endeavour. Carrying coal from Tyneside to the Thames, the ship was sturdy, had a good carrying capacity, and was thus considered well suited to adaptation for a journey to the South Seas.
In the second part, most of the remainder of the book, the author provides a detailed account of the 1770 voyage that is so important to all Australians, both black and white. The book itself is a near perfect example of historical writing, at times spare but ever evocative. One of its strengths is that Parkin does not make the error of so many others by putting words into the mouths of historical characters. He quotes direct from the ship’s log, and from Cook’s, Banks’ and Parkinson’s journals.
Despite myself (and, I have to accept, my advancing years), I found its reading a bit of a Boys’ Own adventure. This was especially so when, on Monday 11 June 1770, ship and crew came up on what would become forever known as Endeavour Reef. The subsequent adversity and how they managed to extricate themselves from what might have been a voyage-ending calamity is engrossing.
And then there are the drawings, the large scale ones sleeved with the book and those contained within its pages, and the maps. They are not only exemplary but capable of providing many hours’ study.
One of the top half-dozen works on my shelves, I can recommend H. M. Bark Endeavour as a most worthy read. A bit dearish for most, perhaps - although worth every penny from a research viewpoint - it’s a book I believe should be readily available through all State library systems.
RIP, Ray Parkin, 1910 - 2005, and thank you for the gift you gave.
February 10, 2023
For some reason I went into this read with low expectations, but my word, how misguided I was! Parkin applies extreme attention to detail in his accounts of 'Endeavour' from its dimensions, modus operandi & navigation to the Great Southern Land.
This book is stacked with sketches of the ship and all its little bits, which at times is more than a little confusing to interpret. Parkin's annotations and insight supplements the journals of Cook, Banks, Parkinson and Pickersgill (among others), which are well-researched and provide great context when looking at the voyage from today's lens.
It's fascinating to examine the perspectives of early British explorers of our first peoples, as well as native flora and fauna. If nothing else though, this book provides an understanding of just how far we've come in Australia to today. As well as an appreciation for Cook's determination, seamanship and ability to lead from the front, politics aside.
This book is stacked with sketches of the ship and all its little bits, which at times is more than a little confusing to interpret. Parkin's annotations and insight supplements the journals of Cook, Banks, Parkinson and Pickersgill (among others), which are well-researched and provide great context when looking at the voyage from today's lens.
It's fascinating to examine the perspectives of early British explorers of our first peoples, as well as native flora and fauna. If nothing else though, this book provides an understanding of just how far we've come in Australia to today. As well as an appreciation for Cook's determination, seamanship and ability to lead from the front, politics aside.
November 22, 2018
Magnificent. Parkin's well-researched text and faultless drawings are presented by a publisher with editorial, design and production standards that cannot be bettered.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews