A centuries-old maritime mystery has finally been solved with remarkable precision.

According to the New York Post, Captain James Cook's legendary lost vessel, HMS Endeavour, has been identified in waters off Rhode Island after an exhaustive 25-year search led by the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM).

The discovery closes a 250-year chapter in maritime history, with researchers confidently matching the remains of a shipwreck labeled RI 2394 in Newport Harbor to the historic vessel that first carried Europeans to eastern Australia and circumnavigated New Zealand between 1768 and 1771.

Meticulous Research Uncovers Historic Vessel

Museum director Daryl Karp described the findings as "the culmination of 25 years of detailed and meticulous archaeological study on this important vessel" that involved underwater investigation and extensive global research.

Researchers confirmed the ship's identity by comparing the wreckage with Endeavour's historic plans, finding that timber placements matched the locations of its main and fore masts with remarkable accuracy. The dimensions of the wreck also aligned perfectly with measurements from a 1768 survey of Endeavour.

Australian National Maritime Museum archaeologist Kieran Hosty emphasized the precision of these matches, noting, "The size of all the timber scantlings are almost identical to Endeavour, and I'm talking within millimeters – not inches, but millimeters. The stem scarf is identical, absolutely identical."

Ship's Journey From Fame To Obscurity

After its famous voyages under Cook's command, Endeavour's path took unexpected turns before its final resting place was established. The vessel was repurposed as a British transport ship following its exploration days, eventually being sold to shipping company Mather & Co. In 1775, it was refitted and renamed Lord Sandwich, subsequently joining the British fleet during the American Revolutionary War.

The ship met its end in 1778 when it was intentionally scuttled off the American coast, where it remained undisturbed at the bottom of the ocean for two and a half centuries until the recent identification by marine archaeologists.

Controversy Surrounds Historic Discovery

The announcement hasn't been without dispute in the archaeological community. When ANMM published preliminary findings in 2022, their research partners at the Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project (RIMAP) pushed back, claiming the announcement was "premature" and constituted a "breach of contract." RIMAP asserted they were leading the project and disagreed with the conclusive identification.

ANMM acknowledged RIMAP's contributions in its statement, noting that while their research partners "continues to accept that RI 2394 may be Endeavour," they are "not ruling out other candidate shipwreck sites."

Evidence Points To Historic Confirmation

Archaeologist James Hunter explained that because Endeavour was "intentionally scuttled," the chances of "finding artifacts that would provide an immediate identification, such as a bell, were very unlikely." He noted, "Anything that was of value would have been stripped out of that ship before it was sunk," but confirmed that recovered items are "indicative of an 18th-century time frame."

Fellow archaeologist Hosty reinforced this position, stating they've found "lots of things that tick the box for it to be Endeavour and nothing on the site which says it's not." He realistically added, "You'll never find a sign saying 'Cook was here.'" Analysis of the wood showed it originated from Britain, aligning with historical records indicating Endeavour underwent repairs in 1776, providing additional evidence supporting the identification.

Why This Story Matters

This story matters because it restores a crucial piece of global exploration history and sheds light on the early voyages that shaped modern geography. By confirming the resting place of the HMS Endeavour, historians close an enduring chapter in maritime scholarship.

It also raises ethical and legal questions about how international research should be coordinated and how recognition should be shared. Excellent work can become divisive without transparent agreements and mutual respect. Finally, it underscores the importance of sustained investment in archaeological research. It took over two decades of underwater work and historical comparisons to arrive at this discovery–a reminder that preserving the past is painstaking but deeply rewarding.

Conclusion

After 250 years adrift in maritime mystery, the HMS Endeavour has likely been found in the quiet waters of Newport Harbor. Originally used by Captain Cook to make global discoveries, the ship was later repurposed and sunk amid the American Revolution. Its rediscovery comes after 25 years of exhaustive research by the Australian National Maritime Museum, whose experts matched structural elements and measurements to confirm its identity. Yet controversy remains as their local research partner, RIMAP, continues to question the timing and process of the confirmation. Despite this, the evidence—down to millimeter-perfect measurements and unique construction features—makes a persuasive case.