The Grenville ashore.

He sailed for England on 23rd October, and anchored off the Nore in very heavy weather on 11th November.  It was soon found that the anchors would not hold, and at length one parted and the ship “trailed into shallow water, striking hard.”  After a while she again struck heavily, and “lay down on her larboard bilge.”  As there seemed no prospect of the gale moderating, everything was made as snug as time would allow, and, putting his crew into the boats, Cook made for Sheerness.  The weather at length improved, so obtaining assistance he returned and found that fortunately his ship had sustained very little damage, and the next day he successfully floated her, and got her up to Deptford yards on the following Sunday, and then Cook was able to set to work on his charts.  On 3rd February, Pallisser wrote to Mr. Stephens asking him to obtain permission from the Lords to publish, and at once obtained the necessary authority.

Some of these charts had been published in 1766, and now the complete series appeared with sailing directions for the south and east coasts of the islands.  Admiral Sir W.J.L.  Wharton, the late hydrographer to the Admiralty, says: 

“The Charts he made during these years in the schooner Grenville were admirable.  The best proof of their excellence is that they are not yet wholly superseded by the more detailed surveys of modern times.  Like all first surveys of a practically unknown shore, and especially when that shore abounds in rocks and shoals, and is much indented with bays and creeks, they are imperfect in the sense of having many omissions; but when the amount of the ground covered, and the impediments of fogs and bad weather on that coast is considered, and that Cook had at the most only one assistant, their accuracy is truly astonishing.”

On the publication of his charts, Cook’s connection with Newfoundland was concluded, and on 12th April 1768 Mr. Lane was “appointed to act as Master of the brig Grenville, and surveyor of the coasts of Newfoundland and Labrador in the absence of Mr. Cook, who is to be employed elsewhere.”  Mr. Lane was to be paid an allowance of five shillings per day over and above his pay as Master of a sixth rate.  Cook and he were paid their allowances up to 31st December 1767, and on 17th June the Navy Board were ordered to complete Cook’s allowance up to 12th April.  From the wording of Mr. Lane’s appointment it would appear that the surveyor’s position was to be left open for Cook if it was thought desirable for him to resume it.

CHAPTER 6. 1768.  PREPARATIONS FOR FIRST VOYAGE.