FLEETWOOD - FATEFUL RETURN TO HAWAII JAN 20 1978 HONOLULU HI FIRST DAY COVER BX9

Item Specifics

Country

United States - Hawaii

Condition

First Day Cover

Stamp Format

Single

Item Description

Condition: Actual scan(s). Covers are postally used, addressed and unaddressed; older covers may have toning, ... Read more about the seller notes Actual scan(s). Covers are postally used, addressed and unaddressed; older covers may have toning, creasing or rough openings. All these faults, if any, will be visible in the photo(s)/scan(s). Read Less about the seller notes

Grade: Ungraded
FATEFUL RETURN TO HAWAIIAfter being thwarted in his search for a Northwest Passage, Cook returned to Hawaii for the winter in December, 1778. He had never encountered the Hawaii natives who, when they saw Cook, took him for a god. Cook's ships were swamped by natives who came to greet Cook and his men. Within a few days, however, the Hawaiians began to doubt the divine nature of their visitors. The disillusionment really began when an old seaman died and was buried ashore. Wrote one of Cook's men, "Watman's death destroyed their previous belief in our immortality, and this being lost, their reverence for us was gone." The Hawaiians began to resent Cook's presence, for they had smothered these "gods" with numerous gifts and fine food. Tension mounted, and both sides were relieved when Cook's ships departed. Three days out to sea, a gale damaged the Resolution's foremast and Cook was forced to return to Kealakekua Bay. This time there was no welcome party. In fact, incidents between Cook's men and the natives became commonplace. Then the Discovery's cutter was stolen by a native. On February 14, 1779, Cook and some of his men went ashore to straighten the matter out. Cook's intentions toward the natives were not hostile, but lack of communication and the already established resentment ruled the meeting. Hostility gave way to violence and in the ensuing riot Cook and four marines lost their lives. It was a regretful and senseless death for the greatest sea explorer of all time.

Seller Information

Seller

gil (4579)

Registered Since

07/11/2007

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Held Boys Philatelics

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Item Location

Texas, United States

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United States

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No

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