Captain Cook Memorial
Statue In Whitby, North Yorkshire
A statue to commemorate the 18th-century explorer and navigator who changed the western perceptions of world geography.
I have spent many a happy hour in Whitby, and if you wish to see a different perspective, try the wild West Cliff. You may have already been greeted by the Whale Bone Arch and right there is the statue of Captain James Cook (1728 to 1779).
"British Royal Navy officer, explorer, and cartographer who led three voyages of exploration to the Pacific and Southern Oceans between 1768 and 1779. He completed the first recorded circumnavigation of the main islands of New Zealand, and was the first recorded European to visit the east coast of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands."
Wikipedia
Can you name all four of Cook's boats? They will be revealed at the end.
This statue was created by John Tweed (1869 to 1933), installed in 1912 and is one of seven moulds cast in bronze. Cook is holding dividers and maps and faces east. Another stands in Melbourne, Australia, installed in 1914.
Tweed was known for creating men of action. He completed Alfred Stevens Duke of Wellington Memorial at St Paul's, London and he was a friend of Rodin.
A military fort was located here during the Second World War, so the statue was placed in storage. The plinth was left but got damaged. I wonder if this was from machine guns being propped on top? It was restored and the statue stood again from 1947.
Around the sandstone plinth are many plaques, with a quote from Tennyson's poem Ulysses
'TO STRIVE, TO SEEK, TO FIND, AND NOT TO YIELD.'
There is a carving of one of his ships and a posthumous coat of arms; CIRCA ORBEAM is Latin for 'Around the Globe' NIL INTENTATUM RELIQUIT 'He left nothing unattempted'.
“His legacy is built not just on the sheer scale of his voyages but on the precision, scientific rigor, and transformative impact they had on global understanding.[..] accomplished and influential. His combination of technical skill, scientific curiosity, and global impact places him firmly in the top tier of all-time explorers.” “Cook's voyages also advanced naval health practices, especially in combating scurvy. His use of citrus and other fresh foods earned him the Copley Gold Medal from the Royal Society.”
Co-Pilot gave this account of Captain James Cook
There is a Cook Museum in Whitby that will give you all the background. It was this very house that James Cook lodged in as a youngster.
Those four boats I mentioned at the beginning of the post are: HMS Bark Endeavour, HMS Adventure, HMS Discovery, and HMS Resolution.
The ships used for the 3 voyages were mainly coal colliers. The HMS Endeavour was a Barque (Bark). It had a crew of around 70. There is a replica of it in Whitby's harbour. There is also a 40% sized replica that does pleasure cruises.
In 1779, during his second visit to Hawaii, Cook was killed when a dispute with Native Hawaiians turned violent.
"A series of thefts by Hawaiians and violent reprisals by the British culminated in the theft of the cutter and Cook's attempt to take {The chief} Kalani?opu?u, hostage for its return. After Cook was stabbed and beaten to death in the following affray, his body was dismembered by the Hawaiians and distributed to their chiefs - a mark of respect for a high-ranking adversary. Following reprisals by the British in which several more Hawaiians were killed, Cook's remains were returned to the British and were buried at sea with full military honours."
Wikipedia
Further along East Terrace Crescent is a signpost with distances that the Captain took.
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How To Find Captain Cook Memorial
Where Is Captain Cook Memorial?
Lat / Long
54.490446, -0.6163
What three words
Where To Park For Captain Cook Memorial?
Lat / Long
54.490284, -0.616811
What three words
Most parking on the West Cliff is on street, and charged. It will be very busy during peak times. There are large car parks on the East side where a good walk up to the West Cliff will stretch those legs. It is also precarious to drive from the Pier Road up the Kyber Pass, due to the amount of people about and twisting road. So best to enter the town from the West side if you are intent on parking on this side.
Contributed by Rosalind Parker
Thank you for reading. I hope it sparks your interest. It’s always a pleasure to get out and explore, whatever the weather. I enjoy uncovering little snippets of information, especially when they’re obscure, amusing, or meaningful. All photos were taken on a mobile phone.
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