HMS Endeavour Wreckage May Have Been Found

Marine archeologists believe they have discovered where the history-making ship the HMS Endeavour is buried in the ocean floor. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the discovery of the ship—the first ship to reach the east coast of Australia in 1770—follows a 25-year search for the Endeavour off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island. Archaeologists believe the Endeavour is located off Goat Island in Narragansett Bay, after narrowing down the particular ship from a fleet of 13 vessels. Researchers hope the Endeavour will be excavated next year, which will “require significant funding.” The ship was purchased by the British Navy in 1768 to locate Australia, known back then as “Terra Australis.” Captain James Cook departed Plymouth in August 1768 before arriving in New Zealand in September 1769 and landing in Botany Bay in April 1770.