Captain Cook's famous ship, the Endeavour, which carried him on his pioneering first voyage of discovery to the Pacific, was eventually renamed Lord Sandwich and was scuttled by British forces during the American War of Independence in 1778. This action accounts for its possible final resting location in Newport Harbor, Rhode Island.
The Endeavour's Transformation and Final Fate
Originally launched in 1764 as the collier Earl of Pembroke, the vessel was purchased by the British Royal Navy in 1768. It underwent significant modifications for its scientific expedition under the command of Lieutenant James Cook. After its celebrated circumnavigation and charting of New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia, Endeavour returned to England in 1771.
Its illustrious days as an exploration ship were short-lived. Following Cook's voyages, the ship served less glamorous roles:
- Transport Ship: For a period, it transported naval stores to the Falkland Islands.
- Store Ship: It then functioned as a naval store ship.
By 1775, Endeavour was deemed no longer fit for naval service and was sold into private ownership. It was then that the vessel was renamed Lord Sandwich.
Service in the American War of Independence
Under its new name, Lord Sandwich was repurposed as a transport ship, contracted to carry Hessian mercenary troops and supplies to North America during the American War of Independence. In 1778, as American and French forces converged on Newport, Rhode Island, the British decided to scuttle several of their own ships to create a blockade and prevent the French fleet from entering the harbor. Among these vessels was the former Endeavour, now known as Lord Sandwich. It was deliberately sunk to impede the enemy, marking an ignominious end for a ship that had once carried out groundbreaking scientific exploration.
The Quest for its Resting Place
For centuries, the exact resting place of the Endeavour remained a mystery. Maritime archaeologists have undertaken extensive research and underwater explorations, particularly in Newport Harbor.
Key developments in the search include:
- Historical Records: Researchers have meticulously studied 18th-century naval records and maps to pinpoint potential wreck sites.
- Archaeological Surveys: Non-invasive techniques, such as sonar surveys, have been used to identify anomalies on the seabed.
- Potential Identification: In recent years, archaeological teams have provided substantial evidence suggesting that one of the wrecks discovered in Newport Harbor is indeed the former Endeavour. This discovery provides compelling support for the ship's known final fate. Further evidence supporting the identification of the shipwreck as Captain Cook's Endeavour continues to emerge.
The ship's journey from a humble collier to a vessel of global exploration and ultimately a scuttled transport highlights the varied and often unpredictable lives of historical ships.
Key Dates in the Life of the Endeavour
Here's a timeline summarizing the significant events in the Endeavour's history:
| Event | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Built | 1764 | Launched as the collier Earl of Pembroke. |
| Purchased by Royal Navy | 1768 | Acquired for scientific expedition to the Pacific. |
| Renamed HMS Endeavour | 1768 | Renamed and commissioned for James Cook's first voyage of discovery. |
| Cook's First Voyage | 1768 – 1771 | Circumnavigated the globe, charted New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia. |
| Post-Cook Service | 1771 – 1775 | Used as a transport ship to the Falkland Islands and later as a naval store ship. |
| Sold into Private Ownership | 1775 | Decommissioned from naval service and sold. |
| Renamed Lord Sandwich | c. 1775 – 1776 | Renamed for its new role as a transport ship during the American War of Independence. |
| Scuttled | 1778 | Deliberately sunk by British forces in Newport Harbor, Rhode Island, to create a blockade. |
| Possible Wreck Identification | Ongoing, notably 2023 | Archaeological discoveries provide strong evidence for the location of the former Endeavour's remains in Newport Harbor. |
While its end was not glorious, the Endeavour remains a pivotal vessel in maritime history, forever associated with Captain Cook's scientific explorations and charting of vast, then-unknown regions of the world.
