A postcard from Whitby

The charming, workaday, historic seaside town of Whitby on the North Yorkshire coast is the subject of today’s postcard. We are looking down from the high corner of the new town towards the river entrance, old town and the famous Whitby Abbey. Shooting directly into bright sunlight makes this a difficult shot but allows it a different feel to the usual views one sees from here. Out of sight, to the left sits the very distinctive jetty and below me to the right is the fish quays and market. Standing behind me is a statue to the town’s famous son, Captain James Cook. (See PiP) and adjacent photo.

‘James Cook (1728-1779) was born in the village of Marton near Middlesbrough and later apprenticed to a draper in the small fishing harbour of Staithes (11 miles north of Whitby). Later he moved to Whitby and became a trainee with a local shipping firm. Later, he joined the Royal Navy and was rapidly promoted to a command. It is as Captain Cook that the world still knows him – the man who charted the coast of New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia and who was one of the greatest surveyors as well as one of the finest sailors and explorers of all time. He learned his craft in Whitby vessels trading to the Baltic and two of the vessels he used on his long and perilous voyages – ‘Resolution’ and ‘Endeavour’ were built in Whitby.’ - www.visitwhitby.com

Full screen essential.