In Episode 21 of the Pacific voyage, the HMS Resolution runs aground off the coast of Tahiti, leading to a dramatic rescue—and an unforgettable series of encounters.
In Episode 20 of the voyage, Georg Forster and the crew of the HMS Resolution sail through the remote northern Tuamotu Archipelago, catching sight of flat, palm-dotted atolls after weeks of open ocean.
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.
In this episode, the HMS Resolution prepares to leave Ship Cove in Queen Charlotte Sound. Before setting sail into the unknown waters of the South Pacific, Captain Cook and his crew welcome a group of Māori chiefs aboard. Among them is the impressive Teiratu, a tall, tattooed leader from the North Island whose eloquence and presence suggest a remarkable authority.
The meeting offers a rare moment of cultural diplomacy. Ceremonial greetings, speeches, and mutual gift exchanges mark the encounter. The chiefs wear rich cloaks lined with dog fur, and their double canoes are ornately carved—symbols of status and craftsmanship. The sailors are struck by the dignity and distinctiveness of their guests, as well as their physical size and commanding demeanor.
A map of the locations of this episode
The episode explores how these interactions reflect a society shaped by warfare, alliances, and leadership based on merit rather than lineage. Meanwhile, Cook introduces the chiefs to a hidden garden planted by his crew, hoping to leave behind a legacy of useful crops. As the ships finally set sail toward the uncharted middle latitudes of the South Sea, hope and skepticism about discovering the mythical southern continent accompany the explorers.
Join us for a chapter rich in diplomacy, cultural exchange, and the quiet departure from a land that had offered shelter, recovery—and new questions.
My YouTube VIDEO channel, Voyage to Go, where I visit the places from this travel narrative
More Episodes of Voyage 2 Go History:
S1-E1: England: Departure around the world
S1-E5: Cape Colony: Ocean on Fire
S1-E9: Southern Ocean: Lost in the Ice
In this episode, the HMS Resolution explores Queen Charlotte Sound in New Zealand’s South Island—returning to a place Captain Cook had first charted years earlier.