Latest news with #CaptainCook
Wall Street Journal
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
‘Chief of War' Review: Jason Momoa's Hawaiian Epic on Apple TV+
A common perception of Hawaii in its pre-Sandwich Island days is of an immaculate paradise despoiled by plunderers, and that perhaps Captain Cook rightly died in Kealakekua Bay. But savagery already was there according to 'Chief of War,' a nine-part series co-created by and starring Jason Momoa that is big, grand and grandiose. The series is based largely on fact and set at a time when Hawaii was in a riptide of historical change. It is the late 1700s; Cook has come and gone; Kamehameha (terrific newcomer Kaina Makua) had not yet unified the islands. Each of the four main kingdoms—Hawa'i, O'ahu, Mau'i and Kaua'i, as they are treated in the show—was struggling for supremacy, or at least peace. What Mr. Momoa and co-writer/creator Thomas Pa'a Sibbett have structured is a drama that leans on the real and imagined histories common to cultures around the globe, which doesn't diminish the history of Hawaii as much as it shows that origin stories and creation myths can be shared by people with no obvious connections.
Daily Mirror
02-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Seaside town 'one of Britain's best' with glorious beaches and top restaurants
Whitby in North Yorkshire has been named one of the UK's best seaside entertainment spots, and it's easy to see why with its sandy beaches, historic landmarks and top-rated restaurants Recognised as one of the UK's top seaside amusement locations, this charming coastal town has long been a hit with those yearning for a traditional beach holiday. Nestled at the mouth of the River Esk, Whitby in North Yorkshire is steeped in a rich history rooted in maritime, mineral and tourism trades. Its appeal as a tourist hotspot is further amplified by its close proximity to the North York Moors national park and the heritage coastline, not to mention its eerie link to the horror novel Dracula. The town's most iconic landmark is undoubtedly the ruined abbey perched on the East Cliff. Other notable features include the swing bridge spanning the river and the harbour, safeguarded by the grade II listed East and West piers. Whitby's nautical history is honoured through statues of explorer Captain Cook and whaler and scientist William Scoresby, as well as the whalebone arch that graces the West Cliff, reports the Express. The town also boasts a robust literary tradition, having been featured in numerous works, television programmes and films, most notably Bram Stoker's renowned novel, according to Yorkshire Live. If Whitby doesn't tickle your fancy, you might consider this stunning town on the Welsh coast. A recent survey ranked Whitby seventh on the list of the UK's top holiday entertainment destinations. The survey considers factors such as the number of pubs, restaurants, museums, parks, zoos and aquariums, water and amusement parks, arcades, beach review scores, hotel prices, Google searches, average temperature, average rainfall and local train stations. Whitby boasts a variety of highly-rated dining establishments, ranging from cosy coffee shops to gastropubs and sea-view restaurants. There are three five-star rated eateries on TripAdvisor, ideal for those seeking a delicious meal. First up is Lush Coffee on Silver Street, which earned the TripAdvisor Travellers Choice award for 2023. Promising a 'warm welcome', this coffee shop offers freshly brewed coffee, quintessential Yorkshire Tea, hearty full English breakfasts, hot and cold sandwiches, toasties, burgers, and an array of homemade cakes and treats. They also provide outdoor seating and welcome dogs. For those in search of a more upscale dining experience, Ditto, another five-star rated establishment and recipient of the TripAdvisor Travellers Choice award for 2023, could be just the ticket. Situated a mere stone's throw from the beach on Skinner Street, this family-run restaurant is the perfect spot for food enthusiasts looking to indulge in a special meal while visiting the town. Just around the corner, Beckett's has scooped up the bronze for top-notch dining in Whitby, with an impressive 875 TripAdvisor reviews lauding its selection of hot beverages, savoury treats, breakfasts, brunches, and cakes, all acclaimed for their "excellent quality". Make sure your itinerary includes Cranberry Swamp – a firm favourite among breakfast aficionados, Al Taco for some Mexican flair, and The Postgate Country Inn for a slice of British tradition. No coastal getaway is complete without sipping on a cold beer, a glass of prosecco, a sophisticated cocktail or a refreshing mocktail under the warmth of the sunshine. Whether you're seeking a serene spot to relax or a lively evening filled with karaoke entertainment, Whitby's varied pubs and bars cater to all tastes. Whitby is dotted with hotels and B&Bs suitable for every budget, some with stunning sea views that are truly unrivalled. TripAdvisor heralds Hillcrest as the crème de la crème of hospitality, ideally situated close to the bustling town centre and easily accessible from a treasure trove of local shops, eateries, pubs, and attractions. The establishment is not only bike-friendly, offering secure storage, but with their insider knowledge, they're ready to point you towards exceptional spots for cycling, rambling, and watersports such as paddle-boarding and surfing. On top of that, their luxurious rooms offer ample space for families. Other establishments in Whitby receiving high praise include The Stables, The Penny Hedge Lodge, and The Belfry. Whitby is home to one of Yorkshire's most pristine and secure beaches, recently honoured with a Blue Flag. This international recognition is bestowed upon well-kept beaches boasting superior water quality. There's an array of other beaches to explore as well. Whitby West Cliff Beach, a favoured sandy location interspersed with rocky patches, is supervised by lifeguards from May through September. The beach extends from Upgang Beach to the River Esk's mouth and is conveniently situated on Whitby town's northern fringe, just a brief stroll from the town centre. Access points to the beach are scattered along Cleveland Way, North Terrace, and North Promenade. On sun-drenched days, families gather on the sandy stretch between Upgang Beach and West Pier. A line of colourful beach huts are available for hire, and deckchairs and windbreaks can be found near the slipway at West Pier. From May to September, a seasonal dog ban is enforced on Whitby West Cliff Beach. However, dogs are permitted all year round on the nearby Tate Hill Beach. Other popular beaches in Whitby include Sandsend Beach and Runswick Bay.
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Campaign to bring replica of Captain Cook's Endeavour back to Whitby
A campaign hopes to bring a replica of Captain James Cook's famous ship to the town where the original was constructed to mark the 300th anniversary of his sailed the Whitby-built HMS Endeavour on his first voyage of discovery to Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia from 1769 to 1771.A group organising celebrations of Cook's anniversary in 2028 said an Australian-built replica returning to the North Yorkshire coast would be a "fantastic spectacle".Clair Stones, a member of the Endeavour International Alliance, said it would form the "centrepiece" of celebrations. "Our aim is to really celebrate everything that he brought and did for the country and for the world," she years of debate, researchers made recent headlines around the world after confirming Endeavour's final resting place as Rhode Island's Newport alliance, made up of museums, maritime institutions, civic bodies and cultural partners, wants to "inspire future generations".She continued: "Our heartfelt wish is that we can bring the Endeavour replica - which is currently moored in Darling Harbour in Sydney - back to the North East."Ms Stones, who is also chair of the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, said the replica ship could visit Middlesbrough, Cook's birthplace, as well as Whitby. The model is described as "one of the world's most accurate maritime replica vessels" by the Australian National Maritime Museum, where it is currently based."We're in communication and talking to Australia, making contact with stakeholders in every way that we can," Ms Stones said."Our fear is that if we don't manage to get it in 2028, it'll never happen again."The replica previously visited Whitby in 1997, 2002 and 2003."The flotilla of ships, boats, helicopters, thousands of people - it's just something that you cannot describe, you have to actually experience it," she added. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
News.com.au
18-06-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Mystery of Captain Cook's lost ship solved after 250 years
Captain Cook's ship, HMS Endeavour, which the adventurer used to explore Australia, has been identified after a 250 year long mystery. The vessel was the first European ship to reach Eastern Australia, in 1770, and went on to circumnavigate the main islands of New Zealand. It was then sold, renamed the Lord Sandwich and was last seen in the US in 1778, during the American War of Independence. During the war, the ship was scuttled (intentionally sunk) to create a blockade to prevent French ships from entering the harbour and supporting the American forces. And it has now been confirmed that a shipwreck off Newport Harbour, Rhode Island, USA, called RI 2394, is in fact the HMS Endeavour. In a new report the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) announced the verdict, after 25 years of studying the wreck. 'This final report is the culmination of 25 years of detailed and meticulous archaeological study on this important vessel', said museum director Daryl Karp. 'It has involved underwater investigation in the US and extensive research in institutions across the globe.' 'This final report marks our definitive statement on the project.' The ship was hard to identify because anything that would have been of value, such as a bell, would have been stripped from the boat before it was intentionally sunk. However, experts were able to determine that the shipwreck is the lost ship by comparing it with plans for the Endeavour. For example, they discovered timbers which matched with the placement of the main and fore masts of the ship. Additionally, measurements from the wreck corresponded to those taken during a 1768 survey of the ship. Analysis of the ship's wood also revealed that it had come from Europe, which is consistent with records show that the Endeavour was repaired there in 1776. ANMM archaeologist, Kieran Hosty, said: 'We'll never find anything on this site that screams Endeavour. You'll never find a sign saying 'Cook was here.'' 'We will never see a ship's bell with Endeavour crossed out and Lord Sandwich inscribed on it.' 'We've got a whole series of things pointing to RI 2394 as being HMB Endeavour. 'The timbers are British timbers.' 'The size of all the timber scantlings are almost identical to Endeavour, and I'm talking within millimetres – not inches, but millimetres.' 'The stem scarf is identical, absolutely identical.' 'This stem scarf is also a very unique feature – we've gone through a whole bunch of 18th-century ships plans, and we can't find anything else like it.' However, the Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project previously said the identification is 'premature' and has not yet ruled out that the Endeavour could be another shipwreck. Only 15 per cent of the ship remains and researchers are now focused on what to do to preserve it.
CBS News
17-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Captain Cook's HMS Endeavour confirmed to be in waters off Rhode Island after decades of research
Researchers have confirmed that the 18th-century British explorer Captain James Cook's lost ship found its final resting place in Rhode Island's Newport Harbor, solving a decadeslong mystery, according to the Australian National Maritime Museum. Two Australian historians, Mike Connell and Des Liddy, originally pinpointed the location of the ship, called HMS Endeavour in 1998, the museum said in a report released earlier this month. The museum's report detailed how a 26-year archival and archaeological research program ultimately determined that the Endeavour was, in fact, at the bottom of Newport Harbor as Connell and Liddy had thought. Captain Cook famously sailed the Endeavour across the Pacific Ocean multiple times in the mid-1700s. He is remembered for his voyage to Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia, which he claimed for Britain, as well as Hawaii, where he ultimately met his fate in a dispute with indigenous residents. Cook's exploration of the islands laid the foundation for British colonization in those areas, which is why, for different reasons, it's an important part of Australian history, according to the museum's report. An engraving from "Complete History of Captain Cook's First, Second and Third Voyages," a compilation of Cook's expeditions published in 1784, shows the Endeavour on the shores of what is now Queensland, Australia, during the captain's South Pacific voyage between 1768 and 1771. Science & Society Picture Library / Getty Images "For some, the Pacific voyage led by James Cook between 1768 and 1771 embodies the spirit of Europe's Age of Enlightenment," the executive summary of the report reads, "while for others it symbolises the onset of colonisation and the subjugation of First Nations Peoples." After Cook's death, the Endeavour returned to England, which went on to use it for transporting British troops and detaining prisoners during the American Revolutionary War. It was sold to private owners, who renamed the ship Lord Sandwich, and deliberately sunk in Newport Harbor in the midst of war in 1778. When Australian maritime experts initially announced in 2022 that they believed the Endeavour was among a number of ancient shipwrecks still scattered across Newport Harbor, the claim was widely debated. But a partnership between the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission and the Australian National Maritime Museum forged ahead with the research that eventually led to the wreck's identification. They are working to ensure that the wreck site is protected from now on. "Given Endeavour's historical and cultural significance to Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, England, the United States of America and First Nations peoples throughout the Pacific Ocean, positive identification of its shipwreck site requires securing the highest possible level of legislative and physical protection," the report says.
