TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Scientists hopeful of finding the Endeavour

The centuries-long hunt for the remains of famed ship the Endeavour could be nearing an end.

News Desk (Agence France-Presse)
Sydney, Australia
Thu, September 20, 2018

Share This Article

Change Size

Scientists hopeful of finding the Endeavour An interior view of a replica of Captain Cook's ship 'Endeavour' is seen at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney on September 19, 2018. (AFP/Saeed Khan)

T

he centuries-long hunt for the remains of famed ship the Endeavour -- the vessel used by James Cook on a voyage of discovery to Australia and New Zealand -- could be nearing an end.

A team of marine archaeologists from Australia and the United States said Wednesday they believe they may have found the site where the vessel was scuttled in 1778.

"Early indications are that the team has narrowed the possible site for the wreck of HMB Endeavour to one site, which is very promising," said Kevin Sumption, head of the Australian National Maritime Museum.

That site is in Newport Harbour in the US state of Rhode Island.

"A lot more detailed work, analysis and research has to happen before we can definitively say we have found the remains of James Cook's HMB Endeavour," Sumption cautioned.

Read also: 'Where Australia Collides with Asia'

The Endeavour has entered popular lore thanks to Cook's voyages, which brought the British into contact with New Zealand and eastern Australia and foreshadowed the colonization of the continent.

Today a replica of the cramped and surprisingly small vessel sits in Sydney's Darling Harbour, as a reminder of a pivotal point in the history of modern Australia.

After being used by Cook the Endeavour was decommissioned and sold to a commercial owner.

It was scuttled with 12 other vessels in Newport Harbour during the American War of Independence in 1778, but the remains have never been found.

Almost since it was sunk a series of expeditions have sought to find the ship or relics from it.

{

Your Opinion Counts

Your thoughts matter - share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.