After more than two centuries underwater, the final resting place of Captain Cook’s lost ship has been confirmed off the coast of Rhode Island, bringing closure to a maritime mystery that spanned 250 years.
The vessel, known as the Endeavour during Captain James Cook’s famous Pacific voyage, carried the British explorer to Australia and New Zealand between 1768 and 1771. While Cook’s name became legendary, the ship itself faded into obscurity, later renamed, repurposed, and ultimately forgotten.
Researchers have now formally identified the wreck as the Endeavour, settling on a site in Newport Harbor, USA, that was long referred to as RI 2394. The announcement was made by the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM), which released its final report after a 25-year investigation.
“This final report is the culmination of 25 years of detailed and meticulous archaeological study on this important vessel,” said Daryl Karp, the museum’s director. “It has involved underwater investigation in the US and extensive research in institutions across the globe.”
Following its historic voyage, the Endeavour was sold in 1775 and renamed the Lord Sandwich. Three years later, during the American War of Independence, it was intentionally sunk along with other ships as part of a naval blockade effort.
The museum’s team identified the wreck based on a range of evidence. Underwater surveys revealed timbers that match the precise locations of the Endeavour’s original masts. Measurements taken from the remains closely align with those recorded during an official 1768 survey of the ship. Wood analysis also confirmed the material was from Europe, consistent with repair records from 1776.
Archaeologist Kieran Hosty noted that one structural feature, known as a stem scarf, was an exact match and highly unique among 18th-century ship designs. “We’ve gone through a whole bunch of 18th-century ship plans, and we can’t find anything else like it,” he said.
However, the findings were not without controversy. The museum’s American research partner, the Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project (RIMAP), previously disputed the announcement, calling an earlier report “premature” and asserting it breached their agreement.
Despite the disagreement, ANMM archaeologists maintain confidence in their conclusions. “The Lord Sandwich was intentionally scuttled—it was sunk on purpose as a block ship,” said maritime archaeologist James Hunter.
“The chances of finding artifacts that would provide an immediate identification, such as a bell, were very unlikely. And that’s because anything that was of value would have been stripped out of that ship before it was sunk.”
Only about 15 percent of the vessel remains. Researchers are now shifting focus to conservation, working with U.S. authorities to protect the fragile site.
In its final statement, the ANMM acknowledged RIMAP’s contributions, noting the group’s detailed artifact recordings and historical analysis. While RIMAP continues to explore other possible sites, the ANMM is confident the long search for Captain Cook’s lost ship has come to an end.
