Captain James Cook’s legendary lost ship Endeavour, has been discovered after 250 years beneath Newport Harbor in Rhode Island, igniting an academic battle over the validity of this historic maritime find.
Key Takeaways
- The Australian National Maritime Museum has confirmed the wreck site RI 2394 in Newport Harbor, Rhode Island, as Captain Cook’s HMS Endeavour
- Researchers identified the ship through precise measurements matching original plans, British timber analysis, and distinctive construction features
- The Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project disputes the identification, calling for more evidence before confirming the discovery
- The Endeavour, later renamed Lord Sandwich, was deliberately sunk by the British in 1778 during the American Revolution to block French and American naval forces
- The ship holds immense historical significance as the vessel used for Cook’s famous circumnavigation and the first European landing in eastern Australia
Historic Maritime Discovery Ends Decades-Long Search
After 25 years of meticulous underwater investigation, researchers have announced the discovery of what they believe is Captain James Cook’s HMS Endeavour in Newport Harbor, Rhode Island. The Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) recently published its definitive report on the wreck site labeled RI 2394, presenting extensive evidence that the remains belong to Cook’s famed vessel. This discovery potentially resolves one of maritime archaeology’s most enduring mysteries—the final resting place of the ship that carried Cook on his groundbreaking voyage to Australia and New Zealand from 1768 to 1771.
“Researchers have confirmed that the 18th-century British explorer Captain James Cook’s lost ship found its final resting place in Rhode Island’s Newport Harbor, solving a decades-long mystery, according to the Australian National Maritime Museum,” stated the Australian National Maritime Museum
The evidence supporting the identification appears compelling. Archaeologists have documented a linear stone ballast pile, exposed frame ends, four iron cannons, and remnants of the ship’s original structure at the site. Most convincing are the measurements of timber components that align almost perfectly with the Endeavour’s original plans. The level of precision in these matches has convinced many experts that this is indeed Cook’s historic vessel, despite the limited artifacts recovered from the site.
From Exploration to Revolutionary War: The Endeavour’s Final Chapter
The Endeavour’s journey from exploration vessel to sunken wreck represents a fascinating historical transition. After achieving fame under Captain Cook’s command during his groundbreaking Pacific expedition, the ship was sold by the British Navy, renamed Lord Sandwich, and eventually used as a transport vessel during the American Revolutionary War. In 1778, facing an approaching French fleet supporting American independence, British forces deliberately scuttled several ships in Newport Harbor, including the former Endeavour, to create a blockade.
“Maritime experts believe they’ve finally pinpointed the exact resting place of Captain James Cook’s legendary ship – just off the coast of a beloved New England resort town,” stated the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) –
The ship’s design, a sturdy “cat” style vessel with a flat bottom, had made it ideal for Cook’s explorations in shallow coastal waters. These same characteristics would later be identified in the underwater remains, with ANMM archaeologist Kieran Hosty noting the structural similarities were “absolutely identical” to Endeavour’s plans. Wood analysis confirmed the timbers were of British origin, consistent with repairs documented in 1776, further supporting the identification.
Academic Controversy Shadows Significant Finding
Despite the Australian National Maritime Museum’s confidence, the discovery has sparked scholarly debate. The Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project (RIMAP), which had collaborated on the research, has publicly disputed the claim, suggesting that more evidence is required before definitely identifying the wreck as the Endeavour. This disagreement highlights the rigorous standards of archaeological verification and the competing interests in claiming such a significant historical discovery.
“The size of all the timber scantlings is almost identical to Endeavour, and I’m talking within millimeters – not inches, but millimeters,” declared Australian National Maritime Museum archaeologist Kieran Hosty. “The stem scarf is identical, absolutely identical,” said Kieran Hosty.
ANMM director Daryl Karp has defended the museum’s conclusion, describing their report as “the culmination of 25 years of detailed and meticulous archaeological study.” The museum acknowledges RIMAP’s contributions but maintains that the evidence overwhelmingly supports their identification of site RI 2394 as the Endeavour. The dispute reflects not only scientific caution but also the significant historical stakes involved for multiple nations with connections to Cook’s voyages.
Historical Significance and Future Preservation
The Endeavour’s historical importance cannot be overstated. As the vessel that carried Cook on his famous circumnavigation and mapping of New Zealand and Australia’s eastern coast, it represents a pivotal moment in Western exploration and the beginning of British colonization in the Pacific. The ship’s rediscovery connects modern audiences to this complex legacy, which includes both scientific achievement and the subsequent impact on indigenous populations throughout the Pacific.
“Given Endeavour’s historical and cultural significance to Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, England, the United States of America, and First Nations peoples throughout the Pacific Ocean, identification of its shipwreck site requires securing the highest possible level of legislative and physical protection,” stated the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Authorities now face the challenge of protecting this historically significant site. The Australian National Maritime Museum has emphasized the need for comprehensive legislative and physical protection measures, recognizing the wreck’s importance to multiple nations and indigenous peoples. As preservation efforts move forward, the site may provide further insights into 18th-century shipbuilding techniques and naval practices, even while the academic debate over its precise identity continues among maritime archaeologists.
