Captain James Cook Memorial and Signpost

My next stop was at Captain Cook's statue in Crescent Gardens overlooking Whitby Harbour. This 7' 6" high bronze statue, sculptured by John Tweed, stands on a freestone pedestal which has a carving of Cook's posthumous coat of arms on the front and one of his ship 'Resolution' on the back.

The statue was first unveiled on 2nd October 1912. During World War II, it was removed to a place of safety when the plinth was damaged in an air attack. It was replaced on 16th August 1947.

Around the base of the plinth, there are four plaques. The first commemorates the men who built and sailed in the ships used by Captain Cook. The others were presented to Whitby by the people of Australia, New Zealand, and Canada respectively.

Further along West Cliff, there is a signpost honouring Captain Cook. All the distances shown are in nautical miles from Whitby around Cape Horn.Read more