250-Year Mystery Cracked: Captain Cook’s Endeavour Found Off U.S. Coast

The discovery is the result of 25 years of dogged research.

Endeavour Is Finally Found

In a stunning maritime breakthrough, archaeologists have identified the long-lost wreck of Captain James Cook’s HMS Endeavour, the ship that first brought British explorers to Australian shores.

The discovery ends a 250-year mystery that has fascinated historians and adventurers alike.

The Legendary Ship That Charted a New World

Endeavour was no ordinary vessel. Between 1768 and 1771, it carried Captain Cook on an epic voyage that charted New Zealand and introduced Britain to the Australian continent.

But after its historic role, the ship quietly slipped into obscurity, sold off, renamed Lord Sandwich, and eventually scuttled during the American Revolutionary War.

Sunken Treasure Found in Rhode Island

The wreck has now been confirmed in Newport Harbor, Rhode Island. Known to researchers as “RI 2394,” the sunken remains match Endeavour’s design in meticulous detail, from timber dimensions down to mast placements.

The discovery is the result of 25 years of dogged research, finally culminated in a formal report by the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM).

Underwater Clues Seal the Verdict

Divers found timbers whose measurements perfectly align with those recorded in a 1768 survey of Endeavour.

Even the “stem scarf”, a uniquely crafted joint at the ship’s bow, was an exact match.

“The timbers are British,” said ANMM archaeologist Kieran Hosty. “Almost identical to Endeavour, within millimetres.”

‘You’ll Never See a Sign Saying “Cook Was Here”’

Despite the evidence, some hoped-for artifacts, like a nameplate or ship’s bell, remain elusive.

“Anything of value was likely stripped before the ship was sunk,” said archaeologist James Hunter. But the overwhelming structural evidence, alongside historical data, makes this ID the most credible yet.

A Bitter Row Beneath the Surface

The discovery hasn’t come without controversy.

ANMM’s research partner, the Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project (RIMAP), pushed back against the 2022 preliminary findings, calling them “premature” and a breach of agreement. While ANMM praises RIMAP’s work, tensions over credit remain unresolved.

What Happened to Endeavour After Its Famous Voyage?

After its 1771 return, Endeavour became a troop transport, and by 1775, it was renamed Lord Sandwich.

She was sunk deliberately in 1778 as a block ship, an underwater barrier during the American War of Independence. For centuries, her location remained a mystery.

The Global Hunt Finally Pays Off

It took decades of research across multiple continents, including dives, historical records, and timber analysis.

The ANMM’s final report now declares the Newport wreck to be Endeavour, bringing a definitive end to the search for one of Britain’s most iconic ships.

A Moment of Maritime History Reclaimed

“This final report is the culmination of 25 years of detailed and meticulous archaeological study,” said ANMM director Daryl Karp.

For Cook’s fans, maritime historians, and Australia’s heritage, it marks the rediscovery of a vessel that helped shape the modern world.