Captain Cook Archives

Deed and papers relating to the house of John Walker in Whitby, including deed of 1652, assignment of the house and inventories of its contents; inventory 1751

Walker family tree; will of John Walker, senior, 1743; will of John Walker, junior, 1785

Papers relating to the apprenticeship of James Cook to Captain John Walker: articles of apprenticeship, description of an apprentice's life; muster roll of Walker's ship 'Freelove' 1747

Correspondence between John Walker and James Cook, 1771-1776 (8 items; Walker's copy of the two-volume account of Cook's second voyage

Correspondence between James Cook and Captain Hammond (2 items)

Papers relating to the controversy between Joseph Banks and the Navy Board (under Lord Sandwich) about accommodation in the ship for Cook's second voyage (7 letters and 2 plans)

Papers relating to the controversy between Lord Sandwich and J R Forster, who wished his account of Cook's second voyage to be published as the official version (26 letters and Forster's manuscript)

Papers relating to the death of Cook (2 items)

Letter from Mrs Cook to Lord Sandwich, 1781

Open (by arrangement)

Most items were donated or purchased, before the Museum opened in 1987. Some derive from collections at the North Yorkshire County Record Office and the Whitby Literary and Philosophical Society. Many of the documents are located in the Museum's display cases. The Captain Cook Memorial Museum is situated in the house once belonging to John Walker in Whitby. Its displays include prints, maps and pictures relating to the South Seas and Captain Cook's life and explorations.