This Melancholy Affair

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 £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 BBC Radio 4 in October 2002.