Captain Cook relic sold for £135,000

Captain Cook relic sold for £135,000

The cane is said to be made from the spear which killed Cook

A gruesome souvenir of explorer Captain James Cook has fetched £135,000 at auction.

The gold-tipped cane, said to be made from the spear which killed the famous Middlesbrough-born explorer, had been expected to attract bids of up to £20,000.

The historic walking stick went under the hammer at a sale on Wednesday in Edinburgh.

A private buyer from London, who wishes to remain anonymous, fought off rival telephone bids from America, Australia and Hawaii to secure the relic.

Something like this is difficult to put a price on because it is so unique

Auctioneers spokesman Philip Gregory

The cane has a gold tip and the inscription "From Admiral C B H Ross to Admiral Sir David Milne: Made from the spear which killed Captain Cook".

Cook was born in October 1728 in Marton, near Middlesbrough, and based in Whitby, North Yorkshire, became one of Britain's most famous naval explorers.

Philip Gregory from auctioneers Lyon and Turnbull said: "We are overjoyed for the family who are selling it and we're very pleased with the result

"Something like this is difficult to put a price on because it is so unique."

Cook was stabbed to death after trying to retrieve a stolen cutter in Hawaii in February 1779.

Captain Cook was killed in Hawaii in 1779

During the war with the French in 1755, Cook enlisted as an Able Seaman on HMS Eagle and was promoted within a month.

Four years later he was given command of his own ship and in subsequent years produced charts which were still used in the early part of the 20th Century.

In his first Pacific voyage in 1768 Cook rounded Cape Horn onboard the Endeavour.

Cook next explored and claimed possession of eastern Australia, returning to England in June 1771.

Captain Cook was buried at sea at Kealakekua Bay on 21 February 1779.