The shipwreck of James Cook’s Endeavour lies in waters off the captain cook of Rhode Island in the US. A marine biologist says the wood has been infiltrated by shipworms.
Last modified on Mon 15 Aug 2022 08. Now an expert has told the Boston Globe that he has found evidence that shipworms have infiltrated the wood. Reuben Shipway, a University of Plymouth marine biology lecturer, dived down to the wreck and found shipworms had infiltrated a piece of wood belonging to RI 2394. This is a vessel that connects the UK to Australia, and to America, because it also played a really important role in the battle for American independence. LOEWE TBGThe Australian Maritime Museum said the site needed to be protected.
There are a number of solutions that could be put in place to protect not only the site of the Endeavour but other important vessels in Newport Harbour. Rimap’s head, Dr Kathy Abbass, angrily hit back. She said while it might be the famous ship, work was ongoing. At the time she said Rimap was the lead organisation and would post its eventual report when it was sure. The museum spokesperson said they looked forward to receiving Abbass’s report, which is expected shortly. The Endeavour sailed the South Pacific from 1768 to 1771, as Cook conducted scientific research and charted the coast of New Zealand and Australia’s eastern coastline before claiming the land for Great Britain. In 1778 British forces scuttled it in Newport Harbour, during the American war of independence.