James King RN (bef. 1750 - 1784)

Born before 13 Jul 1750 in Clitheroe, Lancashire, England

Died 16 Nov 1784 after age 34 in Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France

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Biography

James King RN is Notable.

James was born before 1750. He passed away in 1784. He was an officer in the Royal Navy, He joined HMS Resolution as 2nd Lieutenant under James Cook on his last voyage round the world. He specialised in taking important astronomical readings with a sextant and with Larcum Kendalls's timekeeper K!, established Resolution's position at sea and on shore. When Cook died, he remained on Resolution until Cook's successor, Charles Clerke, died. He was then appointed to command HMS Discovery, the Resolution's consort. Once he returned to England, he was involved with the publication of the official account of Cook's 3rd voyage. He was promoted to post-Captain and commanded HMS Crocodile and then, towards the end of 1781, he commanded the 40 gun HMS Resistance escorting a fleet of merchantmen to the West Indies. He returned to England in 1783, but his advancing tuberculosis drove him to Nice were he died.

Sources

• Wikipedia: James King (Royal Navy officer)

• Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 31 King, James (1750-1784) by John Knox Laughton

• Lancashire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials (Clitheroe, St Mary Magdalene 13 Jul 1750 James King son of James King)