Henry Roberts (captain)
Encyclopedia
Henry Roberts was an officer in the Royal Navy
who served with Captain Cook on his last two voyages.
Roberts served as lieutenant on Cook's HMS Discovery
, where he was entrusted with many hydrographic and cartographic tasks, and also met then-midshipman George Vancouver
. Roberts spent many years after that voyage preparing the detailed charts that went into Cook's posthumous Atlas. Roberts also served on HMS Resolution
where he was to make a painting of the ship.
In 1790, Roberts was appointed to command a newly-built HMS Discovery
on another round-the-world voyage and selected George Vancouver as his first lieutenant. However, the Nootka Crisis
called both men to duty elsewhere, and upon its resolution, Vancouver was given command of the historic voyage
.
Roberts died 25 August 1796, Captain of HMS Undaunted in the West Indies, where he contracted yellow fever.
Vancouver named Point Roberts after Henry Roberts.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
who served with Captain Cook on his last two voyages.
Roberts served as lieutenant on Cook's HMS Discovery
HMS Discovery (1774)
HMS Discovery was the consort ship of James Cook's third expedition to the Pacific Ocean in 1776 - 1780. Like Cook's other ships, Discovery was a Whitby-built collier of 298 tons, originally named Diligence when she was built in 1774. Originally a brig, Cook had her changed to a full rigged ship...
, where he was entrusted with many hydrographic and cartographic tasks, and also met then-midshipman George Vancouver
George Vancouver
Captain George Vancouver RN was an English officer of the British Royal Navy, best known for his 1791-95 expedition, which explored and charted North America's northwestern Pacific Coast regions, including the coasts of contemporary Alaska, British Columbia, Washington and Oregon...
. Roberts spent many years after that voyage preparing the detailed charts that went into Cook's posthumous Atlas. Roberts also served on HMS Resolution
HMS Resolution
Several ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Resolution. However, the first English warship to bear the name Resolution was actually the first rate Prince Royal , which was renamed Resolution in 1650 following the inauguration of the Commonwealth, and continued to bear that name until...
where he was to make a painting of the ship.
HMS Discovery (1789)
HMS Discovery was a Royal Navy ship launched in 1789 and best known as the lead ship in George Vancouver's exploration of the west coast of North America in his famous 1791-1795 expedition. She was converted to a bomb vessel in 1798 and participated in the Battle of Copenhagen. Thereafter she...
on another round-the-world voyage and selected George Vancouver as his first lieutenant. However, the Nootka Crisis
Nootka Crisis
The Nootka Crisis was an international incident and political dispute between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Spain, triggered by a series of events that took place during the summer of 1789 at Nootka Sound...
called both men to duty elsewhere, and upon its resolution, Vancouver was given command of the historic voyage
Vancouver Expedition
The Vancouver Expedition was a four-and-a-half-year voyage of exploration and diplomacy, commanded by Captain George Vancouver. The expedition circumnavigated the globe, touched five continents and changed the course of history for the indigenous nations and several European empires and their...
.
Roberts died 25 August 1796, Captain of HMS Undaunted in the West Indies, where he contracted yellow fever.
Vancouver named Point Roberts after Henry Roberts.