S1-E19: South Pacific – Dog Eat Dog

In June and July of 1773, Captain Cook and his crew ventured deep into the southern Pacific Ocean, navigating unpredictable winds, frigid temperatures, and endless seas. After leaving the coast of New Zealand behind, they encountered massive pods of whales, including one harpooned "bottle-nose" that thrashed in its own blood—a grim yet compelling start to a voyage into the heart of winter.

Sailing into the vast South Pacific, the HMS Resolution leaves the icy waters of New Zealand behind—pursued by albatrosses, shadowed by whales, and haunted by the specter of disease. – Click on the image to listen to this episode on YouTube.

As the albatrosses circled their masts and storm petrels skimmed the waves, the sailors exchanged dark jokes about reincarnated captains doomed to wander the South Seas as birds. Even food became part of the harsh poetry of their journey: a ship’s black dog was roasted and eaten, its taste surprisingly like mutton—fuel for a deeper reflection on dietary taboos and cultural double standards.

While the Resolution remained largely healthy, the Adventure was not so fortunate. Scurvy and disease crept aboard, and disturbing signs suggested that venereal disease had already reached the Māori population—perhaps introduced by earlier European visitors. This discovery cast a long ethical shadow over the voyage, raising haunting questions about the cost of contact and colonization.

A map of the locations of this episode

The crew pressed onward through gales and calms, uncertain skies and misleading signs. Finally, Captain Cook abandoned hope of finding a southern continent in the middle latitudes. By mid-July, they turned north. As the cold loosened its grip, spirits lifted. The crew celebrated the warmth, played games on deck, and welcomed the return of flying fish, dorados, and golden sunsets.

This episode captures the psychological and physical toll of exploration at the edges of the known world—and the strange comforts that come when turning back toward familiar light.