Captain Cook’s Long-Lost Ship Found Off Rhode Island After 250 Years

The ship that famously carried Captain James Cook to Australia over 250 years ago has been discovered off the coast of Rhode Island, according to a recent report from the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM). Known as HMS Endeavour, this vessel was the first European ship to reach eastern Australia between 1768 and 1771. After being sold and renamed Lord Sandwich, it was scuttled in 1778 during the American War of Independence to obstruct advancing forces. Following extensive research, ANMM researchers have identified a wreck known as RI 2394 as the likely remains of Endeavour.

Decades of Research Lead to Historic Discovery

The identification of the wreck as HMS Endeavour comes after 25 years of archaeological research and underwater investigations. Daryl Karp, director of ANMM, emphasized the significance of this finding. Archaeologist Kieran Hosty, a co-author of the report, noted that the timbers of the wreck are consistent with British shipbuilding practices of the time. “The size of all the timber scantlings are almost identical to Endeavour, and I’m talking within millimetres – not inches, but millimetres,” Hosty stated. He also pointed out that a unique feature known as the stem scarf matches precisely with that of Endeavour, a detail that has not been found in any other 18th-century ship plans.

The wreck was meticulously compared against historical schematics, including a 1768 survey of Cook’s ship. The measurements and construction features strongly align with those documented for Endeavour. Originally used as a troop transport and later as a prison hulk, the ship was one of 13 vessels intentionally sunk to create an underwater barrier during the siege of Newport. Despite the compelling evidence, James Hunter, another co-author of the report, acknowledged the challenges in definitively identifying the wreck. “It was unlikely they would find artefacts that would provide an immediate identification,” he explained, noting that valuable items would have likely been removed before the ship sank.

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Controversy Surrounds Identification Claims

The same wreck had previously been tentatively identified as Endeavour in a 2022 preliminary report, a claim that stirred controversy among experts. The Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project (RIMAP), a U.S.-based research partner, criticized the announcement as “premature” and a “breach of contract.” In response, the Australian museum clarified that it is still considering other potential shipwreck candidates and has not ruled out alternative sites for the historic vessel.

This discovery not only sheds light on maritime history but also highlights the ongoing efforts to uncover and preserve the legacy of one of the most significant ships in exploration history. As researchers continue their investigations, the story of HMS Endeavour remains a focal point of interest for historians and maritime enthusiasts alike.