Discovery of the Endeavour fills gap in Australia’s history

CAPTAIN Cook’s long-lost ship, the Endeavour, has been found, in a discovery that’s been described as a national celebration for Australia.

CAPTAIN Cook’s long-lost ship, the Endeavour, has been found.

A US archeology research group is expected to announce on Wednesday that the Endeavour is lying on the floor of Newport Harbour, Rhode Island.

The discovery of the historically significant vessel has been described as a national celebration for Australia.

A sketch of the HMS Endeavour, which was believed to have been scuttled during the American Revolution.

A recent Australian National Maritime Museum grant helped the Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project (RIMAP) make its groundbreaking discovery.

Captain James Cook mapped the east coast of Australia from the Endeavour in 1770.

The Sunday Mail understands RIMAP’s research progress announcement this week will finally reveal the whereabouts of Captain James Cook’s HMS Endeavour. After its voyage of discovery to Australia, it was later renamed the Lord Sandwich.

“It will be a national celebration in Australia when RIMAP identifies the Lord Sandwich, ex-Endeavour,” an RIMAP statement said.

The research project combined historical documents from London with a recent analysis of remote-sensing data from the harbour’s floor.

RIMAP has been researching 13 ships, believed to have been scuttled during the American Revolution, which are lying at the bottom of Newport Harbour, 300km northeast of New York City. Captain Cook mapped the east coast of Australia from the Endeavour in 1770 before returning to England in 1771.

It is understood the barque was sold in 1775. Its name was changed to Lord Sandwich and it was used to transport troops during the American war of independence in 1765-83. The wreck of the Endeavour had never been found but relics, including the ship’s cannons, turned up and are on display around the world.