Pallisser, who succeeded Hamar
on the Eagle, for he wrote that some of the crew were turned over from
ship to ship so often that he was quite unable to make out their original
one:

"they being such that none choose to own them. Of forty-four said to
belong to the Ramilies, she wanted only six the other day, but her
boatswain could find out only those amongst them that he thought worth
having."

In the face of these deficiencies in quantity and quality of men, and
remembering the good character he doubtless obtained from Mr. Walker,
there can be no surprise that when Cook sailed out of an English port for
the first time as a Royal Navy sailor he held the rating of Master's
mate. It is usual to look upon him as an explorer and surveyor only, but
a little enquiry shows that he played an active part in some of the most
stirring events of the next few years. The records of his personal deeds
are wanting, but his ships saw service, and from his character it is
certain that when duty called, James Cook would not be found wanting.
Many of the men under whom he served have left behind names that will
always be associated with the construction of the present British Empire,
and with most of them he was in immediate personal contact, and obtained
in every case their respect, in some their close personal friendship.

PALLISSER COMMANDS.

On the 1st July the Eagle was ordered to fit and provision for the
Leeward Islands, but having received 62 men and 53 marines, the orders
were changed to cruise between Scilly and Cape Clear, and she sailed on
the 4th August. She was caught in a gale off the old Head of Kinsale and
received some damage, and her main mast was reported as sprung, so she
returned to Plymouth for survey and repairs. Thinking that the removal of
the mast would be a good opportunity to scrape his ship, which was very
foul, Captain Hamar had her lightened for that purpose, but on
examination the mast was found to be in good order, and the Admiralty was
so annoyed at the absence of the ship from her cruising ground that they
ordered Captain Pallisser to take over the command and prepare for sea
without further loss of time. This he did on the 1st October, and sailed
from Plymouth on the 7th, and after cruising about in the Channel and
making a few small captures he returned on the 22nd November, remaining
till the 13th March; and during this time Cook had a short spell of
sickness, but it can hardly be called serious,