ticed to both Saunderson and Walker is, of
course, set at rest by Mrs. Dodd's explanation.

Whitby was at the time a very important centre of the coasting trade, and
possessed several shipbuilding yards of good reputation, and it was in a
Whitby-built ship, the Freelove, that Cook made his first voyage. She was
a vessel of about 450 tons (some 80 tons larger than the celebrated Bark
Endeavour), was employed in the coal trade up and down the east coast,
and no doubt Cook picked up many a wrinkle of seamanship and many a
lesson of the value of promptitude in the time of danger which would
prove of service when he came to the days of independent command: for the
North Sea has, from time immemorial, been reckoned a grand school from
which to obtain true sailormen for the Royal Service.

As usual in those days, Cook stayed in his employer's house in the
intervals between his trips, and his time ashore was longer during the
winter months as the ships were generally laid up. The house in Grape
Street, at present occupied by Mr. Braithwaite, is pointed out as the one
where he lived whilst with Mr. Walker; but this is incorrect, for Mr.
Waddington ascertained from the rate books that Mr. Walker's mother was
living there at that time, and Mr. Walker lived in Haggargate from 1734
to 1751, removing thence to the north side of Bakehouse Yard in that
year, and to Grape Street in 1752, after his mother's death. That is, he
did not reside in Grape Street till three years after Cook's
apprenticeship was ended, when, following the usual custom, he would have
to fend for himself. During these periods of leisure between his voyages,
Cook endeavoured to improve his store of knowledge, and it is believed he
received some instruction in elementary navigation. He made great friends
with Mr. Walker's housekeeper, Mary Prowd, from whom he obtained the
concession of a table and a light in a quiet corner away from the others,
where he might read and write in peace. That he worked hard to improve
himself is evident from the fact that Mr. Walker pushed him on at every
opportunity, and gave him as varied an experience of things nautical as
lay in his power.

After several voyages in the Freelove (which is stated by the Yorkshire
Gazette to have been "lost, together with one hundred and fifty
passengers and the winter's supply of gingerbread for Whitby, off either
the French or Dutch coast" one stormy Christmas, the date not given) Cook
was sent to