Charles Clerke | |
|---|---|
 Charles Clerke, by Nathaniel Dance-Holland, 1776 | |
| Born | 22 August 1741 Essex, England |
| Died | 22 August 1779 (aged 38) Kamchatka, Russia |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  Royal Navy |
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands | HMS Discovery HMS Resolution |
| Battles / wars | Seven Years' War |
Captain Charles Clerke (22 August 1741 – 22 August 1779) was an officer in the Royal Navy who sailed on four voyages of exploration (including three circumnavigations), three with Captain James Cook. When Cook was killed during his 3rd expedition to the Pacific, Clerke took command but died later in the voyage from tuberculosis.