Have scientists found the HMB Endeavour shipwreck?

One of the most iconic lost shipwrecks in history is Captain Cook’s “HMB Endeavour.” In 1768, Captain James Cook was put in charge of a voyage on the HMB Endeavour from the British port of Plymouth. The Endeavour traveled south across the Atlantic and around Cape Horn in Chile to Tahiti and New Zealand, eventually getting to Australia in 1770. It was the first European ship to reach Australia’s east coast. That first voyage was a success, making Cook and the Endeavour famous. 

The ship was later bought and renamed the “Lord Sandwich 2” and used during the American Revolutionary War. It sunk off the coast of modern-day Rhode Island during the war in 1778. But after that, no one was able to find the ship’s remains. 

Until now … maybe. 

Last year, researchers with the Australian National Maritime Museum declared a shipwreck found in Newport Harbour, Rhode Island, to be the famous Endeavour. For decades, this wreck had been examined and analyzed by the museum. But, at the same time, American researchers with the Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project said that the Australian museum’s findings were “consistent with what might be expected of the Endeavour.” There was no super obvious evidence linking the wreck to the Endeavour then. 

Australian experts haven’t given up on this wreck, though. Last week, scientists said they’d found hard evidence that this find was the Endeavour ship. The museum announced that the scientists had found a pump-well and part of the ship's bow that helped identify the wreck as the Endeavour. According to the Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project executive director Kathy Abbass, a "legitimate report" on the wreck's identity will be released by her own team’s study soon enough.

"We would like to work with the Rhode Island government to do [a 3D model of the wreckage]," Kieran Hosty, marine archaeology manager at the Australian National Maritime Museum said. "If it means working with Rhode Island Maritime Archaeology Project we'll work with them; we'll work with anyone who is willing to help us on this site."