Captain James Cook Memorial facts for kids
The Captain James Cook Memorial is a special monument in Canberra, Australia's capital city. It was built by the Australian Government to remember a very important event: 200 years since Captain James Cook first saw the east coast of Australia. This memorial has two main parts: a powerful water jet in Lake Burley Griffin and a cool globe sculpture at Regatta Point. The globe shows the paths of Cook's famous sea journeys. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the memorial on April 25, 1970.
The Amazing Water Jet
The memorial's most eye-catching feature is its giant water jet. It shoots water high into the air from the middle of Lake Burley Griffin. This jet is designed to be like the famous Jet d'Eau in Geneva, Switzerland.
How the Jet Works
The water jet is very powerful! It uses two special pumps that can push a lot of water very quickly. These pumps can send up to 250 litres of water every second. The water shoots out of the nozzle at an incredible speed of 260 kilometres per hour! When both pumps are working, the main jet throws about six tons of water into the air at once. It can reach a maximum height of 152 metres, which is taller than many buildings! If only one pump is used, the jet still reaches a height of 114 metres. Sometimes, for special events, the water jet is lit up with colourful lights, making it look even more amazing at night.
When to See the Jet
The water jet usually operates every day from 11 AM to 2 PM. However, it doesn't run all the time. If it's very windy, the jet automatically turns off. This is because the strong winds can blow the water onto the nearby Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, which could be dangerous for cars. Also, if there's a drought and the lake's water level gets too low, the jet might need to be shut down temporarily.
The Skeleton Globe
At Regatta Point, you can find the other part of the memorial: a unique skeleton globe sculpture. This globe is not solid; it's made of a framework that shows the shape of the Earth. On this globe, you can see lines that trace the incredible journeys Captain Cook made around the world. It's a great way to visualize how far he travelled and the places he explored.
