As the mighty HM Bark Endeavour made its majestic way into Whitby harbour, LIZ TODD was there to watch

CROWDS lined the cliff and it seemed every vantage point was taken.

HM Bark Endeavour was coming home.

A flotilla of more than 50 boats, yachts and lifeboats surrounded the magnificent ship as it sailed majestically into its home port.

Coastguards kept a watchful eye, but it seemed everyone was in high spirits. Whitby's west cliff was packed with visitors as tourists, schoolchildren and locals lined the cliffs to catch a glimpse of the Australian-built replica of Captain Cook's famous vessel.

Car parks were full to bursting and people stood on park benches and leaned out of guest house windows to photograph the vessel.

Schoolchildren were let out from lessons and there was a carnival atmosphere. It seemed at least as busy as Regatta Week, and plenty of people said it was one of the busiest days they had seen in Whitby.

Ros Davison, from Wombleton, near Helmsley, who brought her three grandchildren with her, said: "We have been looking forward to this for ages.

"We will be looking round it tomorrow, but the children had a training day at school today, so we thought it was the perfect opportunity to watch the ship come home to Whitby."

Along the harbour, fish and chip shops did a roaring trade, and the sun came out as the Endeavour came into harbour.

The bells at St Mary's Church were pealing and hundreds of people were perched on the abbey steps.

Endeavour slowly made her way to the dock which bears her name, with a group of three swans swimming slowly in front.

The great ship's cannons boomed throughout the town, and there were great cheers as each one sounded. Schoolchildren from Whitby Music Centre played as the crew anchored the ship and ropes were thrown on shore to secure HM Bark Endeavour in its berth for the next two months.

Town crier Andy Low announced its arrival for all of Whitby to hear. He declared the ship capable of putting the feelgood factor back into Whitby despite the day's football devastation. The Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Lord Crathorne, said it was a "magical" to see the wonderful ship in its home port after the arduous journey across the world.

The Endeavour's captain, Chris Blake, said: "It's almost like coming home. I feel comfortable.

"It's amazing Endeavour just seems to fit in here, especially at night when you are walking back and its dusky.

"The ship looks like it's where it's supposed to be."

Captain Blake said was "looking forward to a cold beer" now that he was on dry land.

He said he would be staying with the ship while it was docked at Whitby, and then embarking on some well-earned leave.

Asked what he missed most, after spending more than four months on the ship, he said: "I've missed the smell of cut grass, as you don't get much of that out there.

"I'm also looking forward to flushing a toilet with a button instead of having to pump it."

Chief Executive of Scarborough Borough Council, David Andrews, said everyone was delighted to see the Endeavour.

He added: "It's important that the Endeavour comes back to Whitby because it's like Captain Cook coming home once more.

"Last time it was here, it helped put Whitby on the map, and that's the important thing, because the Endeavour and Captain Cook are known worldwide.

"Wherever it is, visitors all come to the region and we are looking forward to a very busy summer."

Updated: 10:47 Saturday, June 22, 2002