Though Cook was not the first navigator who visited the South Sea, yet, by the combined merit of his discoveries, and of his skill in preserving the health of his crew in long voyages, he may be said to have been the first who traced a permanent path across the great ocean, and laid it completely open to the enterprise of Europeans. The fur trade on the north-west coast of America, to which he guided the hardy enterprise of British merchants; the colony in New South Wales, which also originated in his discoveries; and the success with which he wintered and provisioned his ships among the numerous islands of the great ocean; were all so many causes which led to a frequent and active intercourse between Europeans and the islanders of the South Sea. The fur trade started up with vigour immediately on the return of his ships from the last expedition; but the active tide of commerce originating in this impulse ran at first to the northward of the line, so as to embrace only the Sandwich Islands in its scope.

It was not till eleven years had elapsed after Cook's last visit to Otaheite, that a European ship again touched at that island. In 1788, the Penrhyn, commanded by lieutenant Watts, on her voyage from Port Jackson to China, being in great want of water and provisions, ran far to the east and made the island of Otaheite.