National

Remains of Captain Cook’s Ship Likely Off Rhode Island Coast

Tuesday, May 3, 2016 10:15 am | < 1 Minute Read

FILE - In this April 17, 2005, file photo, the replica of the ship, the Endeavour, lies at anchor after it was removed from a sandbar in Botany Bay, Sydney. Researchers are set to announce on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 that they believe the original Endeavour is submerged somewhere in Rhode Islands Newport Harbor. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File) — Replica of the sunken ship, the Endeavour,lies at anchor after it was removed from a sandbar in Botany Bay, Sydney, Australia. (AP File Photo/Mark Baker)

Researchers are set to announce that they believe the famed ship used by the legendary explorer Captain James Cook to sail around the world is submerged somewhere in Rhode Island’s Newport Harbor.

The Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project will announce on Wednesday that it’s 80 to 100 percent certain that the remains of the HMS Endeavour — later renamed the Lord Sandwich — is among the sunken wrecks located off the state’s coast.

The group used documents in London to map and then analyze sites where the ship may be found in the harbor.

The Endeavour was used by Captain James Cook to claim Australia for the British. Ultimately the ship was sold to a private citizen and used by the Americans for transporting troops. It was one of 13 vessels sunk by British soldiers when Newport was under siege in 1778.