Archive: Cook the Books and Other Naval Journals and Diaries; Documents from Our Naval Heroes Go on Display for the First Time, as Simon Baker Discovers

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Byline: Simon Baker

History buffs are being given the first-ever opportunity to see original journals, diaries and logs penned by Britain's most celebrated naval figures.

The hand-written documents by captains James Cook, William Bligh and Admiral Lord Nelson are being displayed in a new exhibition which opened this week at the National Archives in Kew, south west London.

They include a poignant prayer written by Nelson shortly before he ventured to sea for the Battle of Trafalgar, where he died in October 1805.

Visitors will also be able to view the log book written by Captain Bligh in which he describes mutineers - led by Fletcher Christian - hounding him from HMS Bounty in 1789.

The naval historian who has compiled the collection for the exhibition said …