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RHODE ISLAND Cook’s Endeavour ‘found’ off Newport RI
The Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) believe they’ve found the final resting place place of Captain James Cook’s HM bark Endeavour, writes John Greeves.
The ship is said to be lying just 500 metres off the coast of Rhode Island in the USA, buried under nearly 250 years of silt and 14 metres below the surface.
But the announcement by the ANMM provoked a dispute between those involved, with one side casting doubt on the find.
Cook undertook his first voyage of discovery between 1768-1771, as a scientific mission, while secretly under orders to search for ‘the Great South Land’ – Australia. In 1778 the ship was scuttled, along with four others, during the American War of Independence, to form a blockade against an approaching French fleet.
Kevin Sumption, director of the ANMM, said: “I am satisfied that this is the final resting place of one of the most important and contentious vessels in Australia’s maritime history. Based on both archival and archaeological evidence, I’m convinced it’s the Endeavour.”
Experts from the Australian museum have worked with US partners Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project (RIMAP) and the Silent World Foundation for 22 years investigating several 18th century ships in the area.
However, project executive director DK Abbass said: “The report that the has been identified is premature. What we see on the shipwreck site under study is consistent with what might be expected of the but there has been
