Description:
Large white monument, with illustration of an arm wielding a union jack, and a blue shield beneath with white stars top and bottom and in the centre is a white globe showing the Pacific.  Beneath is “Nil intentatum reliquit”    Below the front inscription plaque is the name ‘COOK’ in large letters.
On top is set an old disused anchor supplied by the Marine Department, and a period gun from the Admiralty, and an old smooth bore gun was sent from England.
Two more guns flank the monument.

History:
This Monument commemorating Cook’s association with Ship Cove was erected and inaugurated by Lord Liverpool, who was the Governor,  on 11^th February 1913, when 2000 people attended.
In 1928 eighteenth century cannons were presented by the Admiralty and unveiled at the foot of the monument.
In 1935 the base of the monument was extended, the guns were remounted in concrete, and at the back a groyne was built to divert a stream.
Interpretation panels were placed November 2006 by the Department of Conservation.
On 10^th February 2013, with the support of the Marlborough Historical Society, Peter Cozens laid a wreath on the Monument to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the its  inauguration, on behalf of the Captain Cook Society.  On the wreath was the inscription:-

In memory of
 Captain James Cook RN
 a frequent visitor to
Ship Cove
 died at Hawaii
14^th February 1779
Captain Cook Society

Inscription:
Panels on the monument:
North side:

COOK’S VISITS

ON BOARD THE ENDEAVOUR
15^TH JAN. TO 6^TH FEB. 1770
___
ON BOARD THE RESOLUTION.
18^TH MAY TO 7^TH JUNE, 1773
3^RD NOV. TO 25^TH NOV. 1773
18^TH OCT. TO 10^TH NOV. 1774.
12^TH FEB TO 25^TH FEB. 1777.

East (front) side:

TO THIS COVE CAPTAIN COOK
MADE FIVE VISITS WHILE NAVI-
GATING THE GLOBE.   ON THIS (BEACH)?
REACH HE ERECTED TENTS FOR
HIS INVALIDED SAILORS AND
FROM THIS STREAM HE WATERED
HIS VESSELS.

On the South side:

Haere Mai Ra
E te Manuhiri Taurangi
Na Tahu Potiki Koe I Tiki
Ki te taha o te Rangi
Kukume Mai Ai
Haeri Mai Haeri Mai
(A Maori chant of welcome, being: Come forward
O visitor from afar
By my offspring were you fetched
From the fringe of the skies
(and) impelled hitherward
Advance Advance

On the West side:

This tribute to one of the world’s greatest navigators was erected by
voluntary subscriptions subsidised by the Government and largely
aided by the generous efforts of Hon. Robert McNab
and John Moore (an early Marlborough settler). Promotor of the movement.
Unveiled by Lord Liverpool, Governor General, on Feb 11^th 1913 in the
presence of a large concourse.

Latitude/Longitude:  41°05’35”S, 174°14’20”E

References:
Cook’s Log, page 679, vol.12, no.3 (1989)
Cook’s Log, page 1111, vol.18, no.1 (1995)
Cook’s Log, page 45, vol.36, no.1 (2013)
Cook’s Log, page 25, vol.36, no.2 (2013)
Cook’s Log, page 34, vol.36, no.4 (2013)
Website: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/opening-of-cook-monument
Website: www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/31829/cook-monument-ship-cove
Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. Tuesday 30^th October 1928. p.12.

Image gallery (click to enlarge)