Fairweather of the Bark Endeavour

Fairweather of the Bark Endeavour is the missing version of the Endeavour’s first three-year circumnavigation of the globe. A rollicking yarn whilst historically accurate, it cannot be faulted for truth. It is a little known fact that animals communicate equally with all species be they pal or prey. This ability is proven in cats and dogs by their proximity through time as both friend and enemy. Cats alone share a heightened camaraderie with their human counterparts. Unable to speak each other’s language, but with keen senses and poignant gestures, those in the know can understand each other very well. Such a bond existed between Captain James Cook of the Bark Endeavour and his cat, Fairweather. Fairweather’s story was passed along in time by cats with knowing humans. The story of the Endeavour’s voyage is common knowledge in both human and feline history. Fairweather’s tale became known to Helen Whitten Weiss through her own cat. Her keenness for this story saw them collaborate over many years to complete the mostly true story and history of the Endeavour’s first three year voyage of science, botany, astronomy and seafaring on the tiny Endeavour packed with ninety eight men: crewmen, officers, marines, gentlemen and animals. Fairweather enmeshed himself in everything from the day-to-day workings of the ship to history making events along the Endeavour’s way. The Royal Society funded the Endeavour to watch and chart the Transit of Venus across the sun for advancement to science and navigation and Tahiti was the optimal place to set the instruments to record it. This was their aim, but First Lieutenant Cook as acting Captain has secret orders not to be opened until the transit had been recorded. Sneaking on board at London’s Deptford docks, Fairweather used his mother’s high breeding to promote the Endeavour in all her ports of call. His father’s wily ways taught him to mouse the stores of the ship; he became one of the crew. Fairweather befriended the five young lads apprenticed to the ship, both in duty or mischief and adventure. His favourite crewmen were the one-handed cook and butcher, ensuring that he was justly rewarded for his mousing skills with portions from the evening’s fare. Joseph Banks the noted Botanist, had assembled a group of artists, astronomers and fellow botanists to study the plants, animals and all aspects of the lands they visited. He brought his two greyhounds along as hunters and company. Fairweather avoided Chester and Lady until

Year

2022

Language

English

Publisher

Australian Self Publishing Group/ Inspiring Publishers

Editions

3

ISBN

9781922792020

Data source: Wikidata