Whitby, town, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, N England, at the mouth of the Esk. It is a port and resort whose primary industries are fishing and tourism. Jet is found locally, and jewelry and ornaments have long been produced from it; the industry peaked during the Victorian era. Whitby was the site of an abbey found by St. Hilda in 657. In 663 the Synod of Whitby (see Whitby, Synod of) was held here under King Oswy of Northumbria. The Danes ravaged the abbey in 867, and in 1078 it was refounded for Benedictines. There is a cross commemorating the poet Cædmon, who lived at the abbey. Captain Cook was shipbuilders's apprentice in Whitby, and his ship Resolution was built here. There is a history museum. North York Moors National Park surrounds the town.
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