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Marske to Staithes
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red to reveal images of local attractions and landmarks. |
 Marske
to Staithes
Cook's father lived in Redcar in his late life and died
six weeks after his son was killed in Hawaii in 1779, without ever hearing
the news. Buried in this year in Marske's St Germain's Church his grave
was for many years unmarked. A solitary tower now stands guard over the
grave, marked with a white cross closeby.
Saltburn, the next town on the tour existed only as a few cottages in
Cook's time. It gave up its smuggling trade and became a purpose-built
Victorian resort in 1861 and has the oldest water-balance cliff tramway
in the country.
Smuggling was a way of life along this coast and Staithes, some ten miles
further was another centre for this activity. Cook was 16 when he came
here to work in a general store, and must have had his introduction to
the seafaring life as he listened to tales of the sea from fishermen in
the village.
The original shop where he worked was taken down in 1812 and materials
used again in a building which remains even now in Church Street. Many
relics of his life here are displayed in the Captain Cook & Staithes Heritage
Centre. Here are treasures from Cook's entire life - over 200 books on
the subject, street scenes, documents and pictures rivalling any other
museums in the world.
From the nearby Boulby Cliffs - the highest point on the east coast of
England - Cook must have dreamed of a life at sea as he watched the collier
ships passing by. Encouraged by his employer, William Sanderson, young
James left the village in 1746 to journey to Whitby where he was apprenticed
to John & Henry Walker owners of these coal vessels plying the east coast
to London. |
Great
Ayton to Marske