Cook's Arrival at Kiritimati
- When
- 24 December 1777
- Where
- Kiritimati (Christmas Island), northern Line Islands
Captain James Cook visited the Pacific atoll of Kiritimati, also known as Christmas Island, on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1777, during his third voyage.
During his third voyage, Captain James Cook visited the island on Christmas Eve (24 December) 1777. The atoll, known as Kiritimati or Christmas Island, lies in the northern Line Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Cook observed that rats were already present on the island, apparently introduced by seafarers many centuries before his arrival. The type specimen of the Tuamotu sandpiper (Prosobonia cancellata) was collected on Christmas Island in 1778, probably on 1 or 2 January, during Cook's visit.
Sources
- Kiritimati Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-08
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