Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) director and CEO Kevin Sumption earlier today said the archaeological evidence pointed to the discovery of the ship's remains in Newport Harbour, Rhode Island, in the US.
"I am satisfied that this is the final resting place of one of the most important and contentious vessels in Australia's maritime history," he said.
"It's an important historical moment, as this vessel's role in exploration, astronomy and science applies not just to Australia, but also Aotearoa New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States."
But in a statement, the organisation leading the search, the Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project, rebuked the announcement.
"The ANMM announcement today is a breach of the contract between RIMAP and the ANMM for the conduct of this research and how its results are to be shared with the public," RIMAP executive director Dr Kathy Abbass said.
"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 RIMAP's conclusions would be scientific and not driven by "Australian emotions or politics".
But the ANMM is sticking to its guns.
"Having worked with Dr Abbass to investigate the Endeavour shipwreck site for 22 years, the museum acknowledges that she is entitled to her own opinion regarding the vast amount of evidence we have accumulated," a spokesperson said.
"As stated today, our Director Kevin Sumption is confident that the preponderance of evidence identifies shipwreck site RI 2394 in Newport Harbor as the last resting place of Endeavour.
"The museum has reviewed our previous agreements with RIMAP and we conclude that we are not in breach of any current commitments.
"We look forward to pursuing a due process of peer review and consultation with all stakeholders in Rhode Island."
History of the Endeavour
Originally launched in 1764 as the Earl of Pembroke, in 1768 the vessel was renamed Endeavour by Britain's Royal Navy and prepared for a major scientific voyage.
Over 1768 to 1771, Endeavour voyaged to the South Pacific, primarily to record the transit of Venus in Tahiti in 1769.
Following the completion of that astronomical mission, the ship sailed around the South Pacific searching for the Great Southern Land, charting the coast of New Zealand and the east coast of Australia in 1770.
Endeavour was then used by the Royal Navy as a transport to take supplies to the Falkland Islands.
In 1775, it was found to be in poor condition and sold to a private owner, who renamed it Lord Sandwich.
It carried goods to the Baltic before being hired by the Royal Navy to operate as troop transport.
In 1776, Lord Sandwich took soldiers to fight against the American colonists who sought to break free from British control.
In August 1778, Lord Sandwich was in Newport Harbour, holding American revolutionaries who had been captured by the British.
When a French fleet of warships sailed in to support the American forces, the British scuttled Lord Sandwich and four other vessels to create a blockade at the northern end of the harbour.
This happened one year before Cook's death in Hawaii while on his third Pacific voyage, and 10 years before the First Fleet arrived in New South Wales.
Ancient Greek warrior helmets discovered in southern Italy
The wreck identified as the former Endeavour displayed key components that matched the 18th-century plans of the ship, as well as possessing a hull that was the same length as that recorded for the active ship, Mr Sumption said.
"The archaeological work continues, and we anticipate further discussion of the evidence over the coming months," Mr Sumption said.
The Australian National Maritime Museum has also launched a website that will allow people to to learn more about the search using "immersive videos, animation, underwater footage, and photogrammetry data sets".
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2022-02-03 03:35:46Z
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