It would appear that it was at this time that the friendship between Pallisser and Cook really commenced, for previously there can have been no opportunity for the former to have known anything of Cook’s personality.  A Captain of a man-of-war saw nothing of a Master’s mate, and knew nothing of him except whether he did his duty or not, and that only through the Master’s report.  In this particular case, as soon as his attention was called to him by outside influence, Cook was withdrawn from his knowledge, and when they again came in contact had already made his mark.  Had they been on the very friendly terms that Kippis suggests, it is unlikely that he would have made so many incorrect statements as to Cook’s early career in the Navy.

On 23rd April Cook received his orders, and was told at the same time that as he had expressed a doubt about being able to get suitable men in Portsmouth, he would be provided with conduct money and free carriage of chests and bedding for those he could raise in London, and they should be transferred to Portsmouth in the Trent.  Mr. William Parker was appointed Master’s mate, and the whole crew left Portsmouth on 7th May in H.M.S.  Lark, arriving in St. John’s on the 14th June.  They took possession of their ship on the same day, and the first entry in the Grenville’s log runs as follows: 

“June 14th, 1764, St. John’s, Newfoundland.  The first and middle parts moderate and hazy Weather, the Later foggy.  At 1 P.M.  His Majesty’s Ship the Lark anchored here from England, on board of which came the Master and the company of this Schooner.  Went on board and took possession of Her.  Read over to the crew the Master’s Warrant, Articles of War, and Abstract of the late Act of Parliament.”

Accident to hand.

After getting the guns and stores on board, and fitting the ship for her new duties, they left St. John’s on 4th July for the north.  A base line was laid out at Noddy’s Harbour, and the latitude of Cape Norman was found to be 51 degrees 39 minutes North; soundings were taken every mile.  On 3rd August Cook left the ship in the cutter to continue his work, but having met with a nasty accident he had to return on the 6th.  It seems he had a large powder horn in his hand, when, by some means not stated, the powder ignited, and the horn “was blown up and burst in his hand, which shattered it in a terrible manner, and one of the people which was hard by suffered greatly by the same accident.”  The Grenville left at once for Noddy’s Harbour, where there was a French ship which had a doctor on board, arriving there at eleven o’clock, was able to secure some sort of medical assistance, though probably in the eye of a modern medical man, of a very rough nature.  At that time surgery, especially on board ship, was very heroic; a glass of spirits the only anodyne, and boiling pitch the most reliable styptic.

In reference to this accident the Lords of the Admiralty wrote to Lord Halifax, quoting a letter they had received from Captain Pallisser, dated 14th November 1764: