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James Cook, who charted and claimed Australia's eastern coastline for Great Britain, was given the credit (incorrectly) for discovering Australia because it was upon his recommendation that Australia was actually settled by the British. Cook charted the eastern coast of Australia, and he was the one who claimed it in the name of Great Britain in 1770, calling it New South Wales. He charted the east coast between April and August of that year. For these reasons, Cook is often wrongly credited with discovering Australia.

There were several Dutch and French explorers who landed on Australia's shores long before Cook even set sail, and Cook was not even the first Englishman to sight Australia, with that honour going to William Dampier. The Dutch did not make any formal claim to the continent, and the French claim was not substantiated. Because Australia had been settled by the British, and there was a continuing loyalty to the British, for years Australian schoolchildren were taught that Captain Cook discovered Australia (even though Cook was not even a captain at the time he claimed New South Wales).

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Why was Captain Cook given all the credit for discovering Australia?

James Cook, who was not even a captain when he charted Australia's eastern coast, was given the credit (incorrectly) for discovering Australia because it was upon his recommendation that Australia was actually settled by the British. Cook charted the eastern coast of Australia, and he was the one who claimed it in the name of Great Britain in 1770, calling it New South Wales. He charted the east coast between April and August of that year. For these reasons, Cook is often wrongly credited with discovering Australia. There were several Dutch and French explorers who landed on Australia's shores long before Cook even set sail, and Cook was not even the first Englishman to sight Australia, with that honour going to William Dampier. The Dutch did not make any formal claim to the continent, and the French claim was not substantiated. Because Australia had been settled by the British, and there was a continuing loyalty to the British, for years Australian schoolchildren were taught that Captain Cook discovered Australia.


Why do you acknowledge Captain Cook as Australia's discoverer?

James Cook, who was not even a captain when he charted Australia's eastern coast, was given the credit (incorrectly) for discovering Australia because it was upon his recommendation that Australia was actually settled by the British. Cook charted the eastern coast of Australia, and he was the one who claimed it in the name of Great Britain in 1770, calling it New South Wales. He charted the east coast between April and August of that year. For these reasons, Cook is often wrongly credited with discovering Australia. There were several Dutch and French explorers who landed on Australia's shores long before Cook even set sail, and Cook was not even the first Englishman to sight Australia, with that honour going to William Dampier. The Dutch did not make any formal claim to the continent, and the French claim was not substantiated. Because Australia had been settled by the British, and there was a continuing loyalty to the British, for years Australian schoolchildren were taught that Captain Cook discovered Australia.


What side of Australia did Captain James cook discover?

James Cook charted the east coast of Australia.


What ship did James Cook travel on to come to Australia?

James Cook, who was not yet a Captain but a Lieutenant, travelled to Australia in the HM Bark Endeavour.


How did Captain Cook get to Australia?

James Cook was in command of HMS Bark Endeavour when he sailed to Australia.

Related Questions

Who was given credit for discovering Hawaii?

Captain James Cook.


Why was Captain Cook given all the credit for discovering Australia?

James Cook, who was not even a captain when he charted Australia's eastern coast, was given the credit (incorrectly) for discovering Australia because it was upon his recommendation that Australia was actually settled by the British. Cook charted the eastern coast of Australia, and he was the one who claimed it in the name of Great Britain in 1770, calling it New South Wales. He charted the east coast between April and August of that year. For these reasons, Cook is often wrongly credited with discovering Australia. There were several Dutch and French explorers who landed on Australia's shores long before Cook even set sail, and Cook was not even the first Englishman to sight Australia, with that honour going to William Dampier. The Dutch did not make any formal claim to the continent, and the French claim was not substantiated. Because Australia had been settled by the British, and there was a continuing loyalty to the British, for years Australian schoolchildren were taught that Captain Cook discovered Australia.


Should Captain Cook be given the credit for discovering Australia?

No. Quite simply, Cook did not discover Australia. Lieutenant (later Captain) James Cook was simply the first European to record the discovery of the eastern coastline of Australia, in April 1770. The first undisputed sighting of and landing on Australia was much earlier, by Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon in March 1606. The reason why Cook is often given credit as the discoverer of Australia was because it was upon his recommendation that Australia was actually settled by the British. Cook charted the eastern coast of Australia, and he was the one who claimed it in the name of Great Britain in 1770, calling it New South Wales. He charted the east coast between April and August of that year.


Why do you acknowledge Captain Cook as Australia's discoverer?

James Cook, who was not even a captain when he charted Australia's eastern coast, was given the credit (incorrectly) for discovering Australia because it was upon his recommendation that Australia was actually settled by the British. Cook charted the eastern coast of Australia, and he was the one who claimed it in the name of Great Britain in 1770, calling it New South Wales. He charted the east coast between April and August of that year. For these reasons, Cook is often wrongly credited with discovering Australia. There were several Dutch and French explorers who landed on Australia's shores long before Cook even set sail, and Cook was not even the first Englishman to sight Australia, with that honour going to William Dampier. The Dutch did not make any formal claim to the continent, and the French claim was not substantiated. Because Australia had been settled by the British, and there was a continuing loyalty to the British, for years Australian schoolchildren were taught that Captain Cook discovered Australia.


How old was James Cook when he landed on Australia?

James Cook was 41 when he first reached Australia.


What coast of Australia did James Cook discover?

James Cook was the first to chart the east coast of Australia.


What side of Australia did Captain James cook discover?

James Cook charted the east coast of Australia.


Which continent was discovered by captain Cook?

None. He was the first to seriously explore and map the coast of Australia, but that continent had already been discovered earlier by the Dutch.


When did James Cook explore Australia?

James Cook charted the eastern coast of Australia from April to August 1770.


When did James Cook map Australia's coastline?

James Cook charted much of Australia's eastern coastline in 1770.


When did James Cook first sight Australia?

James Cook first sighted the eastern coast of Australia in April 1770.


The name of the animal James Cook saw in Australia?

James Cook first saw the kangaroo in Australia, noting it as a gangurru.