Endeavour replica, Image: ANMM
The question is not so much whether the wreck of Captain Cook’s ship Endeavour rests at the bottom of the harbor in Newport, RI, but rather which of several wrecks it may be. The Endeavour, renamed Lord Sandwich and outfitted as a troop transport, was scuttled in Newport harbor with 12 other ships to attempt to blockade the French fleet in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, in 1778.
For over twenty years, the Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project (RIMAP) has been working to determine which pile of rotting timbers and ballast stones is indeed Endeavour.
In February, Australian National Maritime Museum’s (ANMM) CEO Kevin Sumption claimed “conclusively” that one of the wrecks in Newport Harbour was, in fact, the British explorer’s Endeavour. Local archaeologists say “not so fast.”
Following the statement, executive director Dr. Kathy Abbass of RIMAP, said the announcement out of Australia was “premature“.
“What we see on the shipwreck site under study is consistent with what might be expected of the Endeavour, but there has been no indisputable data found to prove the site is that iconic vessel, and there are many unanswered questions that could overturn such an identification,” Dr. Abbass said.
“Meanwhile, RIMAP recognises the connection between Australian citizens of British descent and the Endeavour, but RIMAP’s conclusions will be driven by proper scientific process and not Australian emotions or politics,” Dr. Abbass said.
Of the wreck which ANMM claims to be the Endeavour, only about 15 per cent of the ship remains.
The museum cited circumstantial, not definitive, evidence of its claim: the wood, its age, and shape.
“Its timber sizes correspond exactly to what we know about Endeavour,” explained Kieran Hosty, the manager of Maritime Archaeology at the ANMM.
He went on to say, “So, we check all those boxes. We’re very open to conversations with Dr. Abbass if she disagrees with our findings.”
Thanks to Dexter Donham for contributing to this post.
Yeah, that’s some kind of remote sensing from Australia. I stand with Dr. Abbass, she’s been on this project for decades and not looking for headlines, or clicks, or kudos. When (if) she says it’s Endeavour, I’ll believe her.
As one of the Australian archaeologists involved in the hunt for ‘Lord Sandwich’ ex HMB ‘Endeavour’ I would like to add a little bit more additional information to the story. The Australian National Maritime Museum has been actively involved in the search in Newport, RI since 1999, have sent diving archaeologists and underwater conservators across on least 8 occasions, have conducted hundreds of dives on the 1778 transports sites and have contributed financially to that search paying for boats, crew and diving equipment. When COVID hit and travel between Australia and the United States was restricted the museum also contracted two American underwater archaeologists to continue the work with Dr Abbass and RIMAP. There was no need for us to conduct ‘remote sensing from Australia’ as we have been on the ground in Newport for a long time and have seen those sites first hand. Whilst we commend the work of Dr Abbass and RIMAP we respectfully disagree with her comment that our findings were ‘premature’. Further information on our work in Newport, RI can be found at http://www.sea.museum/explore/maritime-archaeology/deep-dive and the report of our findings at http://www.sea.museum/about/corporate-information/planning-and-reporting/research
Thanks for your comments and perspective.