Whitby英文简介

Introduction to Whitby
11km (7 miles) NW of Robin Hood's Bay; 564km (350 miles) NE of London
The resort town of Whitby, at the mouth of the River Esk, has a rich and interesting history. It began as a religious center in the 7th century when Whitby Abbey was first founded. Later, Whitby became a prominent whaling port and eventually, like most coastal towns, an active participant in the smuggling trade.
Several famous explorers have pushed off from the beaches of Whitby, including Captain James Cook. Captain Cook, as the king's surveyor, circumnavigated the globe twice in ships constructed by local carpenters and craftsmen. He also claimed Australia and New Zealand for Great Britain.
Literary references to Whitby add intrigue to the town. Herman Melville paid tribute to William Scoresby, captain of some of the first ships that sailed to Greenland and inventor of the crow's nest, in his novel Moby-Dick, and Bram Stoker found his inspiration for Dracula