FREE: 1978 13c Capt. James Cook Ships Hawaii Unused Postage Stamp

The listing, 1978 13c Capt. James Cook Ships Hawaii Unused Postage Stamp has ended.

Captain James Cook Reaches Hawaii. British navigator James Cook was one of the world’s greatest explorers. He commanded three Pacific Ocean voyages and sailed around the world twice. On his third and last Pacific voyage, Cook became the first European to visit Hawaii. Cook’s final voyage began in July 1776 and included two ships, the Resolution and the Discovery.

Captain Cook and his crew first visited Hawaii in January 1778. Cook named Hawaii the “Sandwich Islands,” after the British chief naval minister, the Earl of Sandwich. Later, Cook sailed north, crossed the Bering Strait and entered the Arctic Ocean. However, large walls of ice forced Cook to leave the area. He returned to Hawaii in November 1778.

Cook’s arrival in Hawaii coincided with an important festival. Many historians speculate that the islanders believed Cook was fulfilling a Hawaiian legend – the return from their “sea god,” Lono. Regardless, the Europeans were welcomed with great hospitality. However, friction soon developed between the crew and the islanders. Perhaps feeding the crew members of two ships was too great a strain on the Hawaiians.

The poor condition of Cook’s ships prevented him from leaving. In February 1779, a Hawaiian stole a boat from the Discovery. While Cook was investigating the theft, a fight broke out between the Hawaiians and Cook’s crew. Cook was stabbed to death during a fight on February 14, 1779.

This stamp is in mint or unused condition but there is a hinge mark on the back of the stamp, making it a great filler stamp or starter stamp for your collection.

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