麻豆约拍

After the astounding success of his first two voyages, few imagined that Captain James Cook would go to sea again.

In the last of three programmes, Dr Nigel Rigby of the National Maritime Museum, learns that Cook, already 48, wanted to find the fabled North West Passage between America and Asia, probably motivated by the prize of 拢20,000.

He died in the attempt, killed on Hawaii in 1779.

Reader: Bill Wallis

Music composed and performed by John Metcalfe.

Producer: Mark Smalley

First broadcast on 麻豆约拍 Radio 4 in October 2002.