Description:
Close to the present day wharf, this is a large granite rock on the foreshore which marks the place where HM Bark Endeavour was beached, and repaired after being on the Great Barrier Reef.
History:
The cairn with plaque was commissioned and erected by the Cook Shire Council, along with the Queensland Government in 1970. Queen Elizabeth II unveiled the plaque on the rock on 22nd April 1970, during her visit to Cooktown to open the James Cook Museum.
Inscription:
Small plaque on the cairn:
THIS CAIRN
MARKS THE SPOT WHERE
CAPTAIN JAMES COOK
BEACHED HIS BARQUE
H.M.S. ENDEAVOUR
ON THE 18TH OF JUNE,
IN THE YEAR 1770.
GPS Coordinates: -15.460556, 145.255079
References:
Cook’s Log, page 336, vol. 8, no. 1 (1985)
Cook’s Log, page 1678, vol. 22, no. 4 (1999)
Cook’s Log, page 26, vol. 28, no. 2 (2005)
Cook’s Log, page 38, vol. 33, no. 3 (2010)
Cook’s Log, page 14, vol. 37, no. 1 (2014)
Cook’s Log, page 14, vol. 37, no. 4 (2014)
Endeavour Lines, page 11, no.44 (Apl.2005)
Website: https://capeyorkweekly.com.au/the-queen-comes-to-cooktown-locals-look-back-on-royal-visit/1767/
Image gallery (click to enlarge)