Cook volunteers into the Navy.—Is promoted to be Master's Mate, and afterwards Master.—His services at the Siege of Quebec, and the Survey of the St. Lawrence—His services at Newfoundland.—He returns to England, and marries.—He is employed as Marine Surveyor of Newfoundland and Labrador.—His Charts.—His skill in Astronomy.—Mistake in Chalmers's Biographical Dictionary.
In the beginning of summer, in the year 1755, when hostilities commenced between England and France, Mr. Cook was with his vessel in the river Thames; and there being a hot press for seamen, he at first concealed himself to avoid being pressed: but, upon second thoughts, he resolved to volunteer into the navy, "having a mind," as he said, "to try his fortune that way." He went accordingly to a rendezvous in Wapping, and entered with an officer of the Eagle, a sixty gun ship, then commanded by Capt. Hamer, who was succeeded in October, by Capt. (afterwards Sir Hugh) Palliser. Soon after he had entered, Mr. Walker gave him a letter of recommendation to his Captain; and when a few months had elapsed, William Osbaldeston, Esq., M.P. for Scarborough, wrote to Captain Palliser on his behalf, at the request of some of his friends. On this occasion, the recommendations of Messrs. John and Henry Walker, were seconded by Mr. Skottowe; whose kindness to the parents of our navigator was unabated. It was in this year that Cook's father, who, having
