Cook, Cats, Saints and Thieves

Capt. Cook’s Monument, dedicated of course to Captain James Cook, that problematic “discoverer” of Australia, who lived as a boy in the village of Great Ayton.

When he set out on the first of his three voyages to the south Pacific, his ship was the HMS Bark Endeavour, a Whitby built collier¹Wikipedia Contributors. “James Cook.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Mar. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Cook#First_voyage_(1768%E2%80%931771). Accessed 17 Mar. 2021.. She was a flat bottomed  ship based on a design called the Whitby Cat and launched as the Earl of Pembroke. The Navy renamed her after purchasing specifically for the voyage. It was a ship Cook knew well²“The Endeavour Experience Whitby.” The Endeavour Experience Whitby, 10 July 2018, www.hmbarkendeavour.co.uk/explore/whitby-history/. Accessed 17 Mar. 2021..

As we know, the voyage was a success. Maybe she was guided by St Gertrude of Nivelles, the patron saint of cats whose feast day is today, 17th March³Wikipedia Contributors. “Gertrude of Nivelles.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 1 Aug. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gertrude_of_Nivelles. Accessed 17 Mar. 2021.. But Gertie has been pushed into the background of history by St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who also had his feast day today.

The Irish have enriched us with many things, as well as Guinness of course, our language is scattered with words which derive from the Irish Gaelic. ‘Slogan⁴“Slogan | Origin and Meaning of Slogan by Online Etymology Dictionary.” Etymonline.com, 2021, www.etymonline.com/word/slogan?utm_source=extension_searchhint. Accessed 17 Mar. 2021.‘, ‘hooligan⁵“Hooligan | Search Online Etymology Dictionary.” Etymonline.com, 2021, www.etymonline.com/search?q=hooligan&ref=searchbar_searchhint. Accessed 17 Mar. 2021.‘ and ‘smithereens⁶“Smithereens | Search Online Etymology Dictionary.” Etymonline.com, 2021, www.etymonline.com/search?q=smithereens. Accessed 17 Mar. 2021.‘ to name but three. The best though is ‘Tory’, from the Irish toruighe meaning a ‘plunderer’ or ‘outlaw’; “a derogatory term for Irish Catholics dispossessed of their land” and noted for their outrages and savage cruelty⁷‌“Tory | Search Online Etymology Dictionary.” Etymonline.com, 2021, www.etymonline.com/search?q=tory&ref=searchbar_searchhint. Accessed 17 Mar. 2021..

Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona dhaoibh!

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• 1
  Wikipedia Contributors. “James Cook.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Mar. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Cook#First_voyage_(1768%E2%80%931771). Accessed 17 Mar. 2021.
• 2
  “The Endeavour Experience Whitby.” The Endeavour Experience Whitby, 10 July 2018, www.hmbarkendeavour.co.uk/explore/whitby-history/. Accessed 17 Mar. 2021.
• 3
  Wikipedia Contributors. “Gertrude of Nivelles.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 1 Aug. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gertrude_of_Nivelles. Accessed 17 Mar. 2021.
• 4
  “Slogan | Origin and Meaning of Slogan by Online Etymology Dictionary.” Etymonline.com, 2021, www.etymonline.com/word/slogan?utm_source=extension_searchhint. Accessed 17 Mar. 2021.
• 5
  “Hooligan | Search Online Etymology Dictionary.” Etymonline.com, 2021, www.etymonline.com/search?q=hooligan&ref=searchbar_searchhint. Accessed 17 Mar. 2021.
• 6
  “Smithereens | Search Online Etymology Dictionary.” Etymonline.com, 2021, www.etymonline.com/search?q=smithereens. Accessed 17 Mar. 2021.
• 7
  ‌“Tory | Search Online Etymology Dictionary.” Etymonline.com, 2021, www.etymonline.com/search?q=tory&ref=searchbar_searchhint. Accessed 17 Mar. 2021.