Location of HMS Endeavour Believed Discovered

Maritime specialists have potentially pinpointed the resting place of HMS Endeavour, the famous ship commanded by Captain James Cook, a prominent British navigator and explorer.

A report released earlier this month by the Australian National Maritime Museum suggests that the location of the wreck, believed to have been lost for 250 years, is off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island.

Captain Cook is well-known for his extensive explorations in the Pacific during the mid-1700s, including voyages to Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia. He played a crucial role in establishing British claims over these regions, which laid the groundwork for colonization.

The museum highlights that the ship is a significant part of Australia’s historical narrative.

Eventually, the ship was repurposed to transport troops and later sold to a private owner who renamed it Lord Sandwich. In 1778, it was intentionally sunk to create a barrier against French and American attacks during the Revolutionary War.

The belief that the wreck has been found near Rhode Island has gained traction. Experts now designate the RI 2394 site at the Port of Newport as its final resting place, supported by decades of research and a comprehensive verification process.

Located at a depth of 39-43 feet underwater, the wreck’s identification stems from a comparative analysis of the structure against historical plans. Experts noted that the arrangement of certain timbers closely resembles those in the main and front masts of Cook’s ship.

One researcher mentioned, “The size of all the wood scales is almost identical, and I’m referring to millimeters, not inches.” He added that the characteristics of the ship’s bow were particularly telling.

Interestingly, four iron cannons were also discovered at the site.

After HMS Endeavour, also known as HM Bark Endeavour, completed its global voyages and was sold in 1775, it garnered significant historical interest.