Sunken wreck of Capt Cook’s HMS ‘Endeavour’ believed found

Archaeology project ‘80-100 per cent sure’ remains are among wrecks off Rhode Island

Researchers believe they have found the ship that explorer Capt James Cook used to sail to around the world submerged somewhere in Rhode Island's Newport Harbour.

The Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project, which is leading the search effort, said in a statement on its website that it is 80-100 per cent sure the remains of the HMS Endeavour are among sunken wrecks off the coast.

Cook used the Endeavour to claim Australia for the British during his historic 1768-1771 voyage.

In 2014, the Australian National Maritime Museum signed an agreement to help the Rhode Island group find the lost vessel. "To be able to find the last resting place of the Endeavour would truly be a nationally significant event, if not internationally," said museum director Kevin Sumption at the time.

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The 100ft vessel was part of a fleet of 13 ships the British scuttled during the Revolutionary War in 1778 to blockade Newport Harbour. It had been listed under a different name, the Lord Sandwich. – (Agencies)