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New evidence has emerged supporting the controversial claim that explorer Captain Cook\u2019s ship HMB Endeavour was shipwrecked off the US coastline after being deliberately scuttled by British forces during the American War of Independence.<\/p>\n
Daryl Karp, Australian National Maritime Museum chief executive, said their archaeologists had uncovered further evidence that the wreck located at Newport Harbour, Rhode Island, south of Boston, was the Endeavour.<\/p>\n
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A painting by John Alcott of Captain Cook\u2019s HMB Endeavour entering Botany Bay .<\/span>Credit: <\/span> <\/cite><\/p>\n The museum\u2019s claim about finding the Endeavour was first aired in February 2022. However, the museum\u2019s research partner, the Rhode Island Maritime Archaeology Project, rejected assertions that the wreck had been definitively identified, vowing not to be swayed by \u201cAustralian emotions or politics\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we see on the shipwreck site under study is consistent of what might be the Endeavour, but there has been no indisputable data to prove the site is that iconic vessel,\u201d the project\u2019s executive director Kathy Abbass said at the time. \u201cThere were many unanswered questions that could overturn such an identification.\u201d<\/p>\n On Thursday morning, Karp said two new discoveries had been made, including the location of a pump well, used to pump out the bilges, and also an unusual woodworking joint known as a keel-stem scarph joint in the bow section.<\/p>\n She said that \u201cno further dissenting responses to its decision\u201d had been received in almost two years since the announcement.<\/p>\n A maritime museum diver at what is believed to be the wreck of HMB Endeavour.<\/span><\/p>\n Marine archaeologist Dr James Hunter told the Herald<\/em> the starboard side of the vessel is buried in mud which affords some protection and is possibly reasonably well-preserved.<\/p>\n \u201cGenerally when you have excavated this much of a wreck site you have got thousands of artefacts. Because Endeavour was a prison hulk they may have thoroughly cleaned the vessel. There would have been sweeping and washing and all those items would have gone overboard.<\/p>\n \u201cInterestingly though, and we haven\u2019t mentioned this, there is one thing we have found in the bilge [bottom inside of hull] and that\u2019s coal \u2013 a lot of coal.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are talking fist-sized chunks of coal and that\u2019s because it [Endeavour] was a collier [bulk cargo ship that often carried coal]. I think it\u2019s just rattled down from when it was a collier and got stuck in the bilge.\u201d<\/p>\n The reasons why the museum believes it is the Endeavour: Slide the image over the original plans of the vessel to reveal what has been discovered on the sea bed.<\/p>\n Kieran Hosty, marine archaeology manager, said the museum was keen to return to the site.<\/p>\n \u201cWe could 3D model the site so people who can\u2019t dive there can get an impression of what it looks like. We would like to work with the Rhode Island government to do that. If it means working with Rhode Island Maritime Archaeology Project we\u2019ll work with them; we\u2019ll work with anyone who is willing to help us on this site.<\/p>\n \u201cI have heard people mention about raising these hulls, but the cost would be astronomical, and is it really worth it? It is too politically loaded, I think. To raise a vessel like this you are looking at millions and millions and millions of dollars. It\u2019s not feasible, for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked to compare the Endeavour with the Mary Rose, Henry VIII\u2019s flagship raised in 1982, he said the Mary Rose sank under different circumstances. \u201cIt sank in deeper [protective] mud,\u201d he said. \u201cHere we are looking at the lower starboard side of the ship. I would say we have got 10, maybe 15 per cent of the ship left. With the Mary Rose there was probably 30 per cent.\u201d<\/p>\n A summary of the new information is now available on the museum\u2019s Deep Dive web page. The final archaeological report has undergone review and will be released next year.<\/p>\n The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. <\/i><\/b>Sign up here<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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