S1-E16: New Zealand: Whirlwinds and Reunion

Podcast 15 April 2025

In Episode 16 of the journey, the HMS Resolution leaves Dusky Bay and sails north along the rugged coast of New Zealand. The weather gradually improves, and the crew observes a noticeable rise in temperature. . But as they near Cape Foul-Wind, the sea lives up to its name: unfavorable winds and violent storms trap the ship near the rocky coast for days.

Amid this dramatic setting, the crew witnesses one of the most awe-inspiring and dangerous weather phenomena of the voyage — multiple waterspouts, or sea tornadoes, forming and swirling just a few kilometers from the ship. These towering, spiraling columns of mist and seawater seem to rise directly into the clouds, bending and twisting as they move across the ocean surface. The sailors, though mesmerized, prepare for the worst, fearing that any one of the spouts might strike their vessel. Fortunately, all four eventually collapse without causing damage, though the memory of the encounter lingers.

The HMS Resolution navigates through a maze of waterspouts off the coast of New Zealand, forging ahead despite the swirling fury of sea and sky. – Click on the image to listen to this episode on YouTube.

Soon after, the Resolution enters Queen Charlotte Sound and joyfully reunites with its sister ship, the Adventure. Cannon fire and cheers echo through the bay as officers and crew exchange news, supplies, and fresh food. The two ships had been separated for months, each enduring harsh conditions alone. Now, they regroup in one of New Zealand’s most sheltered harbors, exchanging tales of storms, discoveries, and survival.

A map of the locations of this episode

While the Adventure had explored the coast of Van Diemen’s Land (modern Tasmania), its crew had endured fierce weather and uncertainty. Their return to Queen Charlotte Sound comes just in time, as they had nearly given up hope of rejoining the Resolution. The reunion lifts everyone’s spirits, and Captain Cook wastes no time — both crews work swiftly to prepare the ships for the next leg of their voyage.

Episode 16 captures a powerful contrast: the unpredictable violence of the sea and the deep relief of reunion. Between meteorological wonder and human resilience, it’s a vivid chapter in the story of exploration.