Latest news with #CaptainJamesCook
Fox News
9 hours ago
- General
- Fox News
Captain Cook's legendary ship finally identified near New England resort after 250 years
Maritime experts believe they've finally pinpointed the exact resting place of Captain James Cook's legendary ship – just off the coast of a beloved New England resort town. A report about HMS Endeavour was published by the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) on June 3. In 1778, the British intentionally sank the ship off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island, in a strategic move to block French and American attacks. While it has long been known that the 18th-century vessel lies off the coast of the Ocean State, its exact location has eluded marine historians. But now experts are sure that a Rhode Island state archaeological site named RI 2394 is the final resting place of the ship – and they have decades of research to back it up. Also known as the "Kerry" site, the shipwreck is between 39 and 43 feet underwater, the report says. The site includes a "linear stone ballast pile, the eastern periphery of which features a line of partially exposed frame ends that are closely spaced and of substantial size," according to the report. "Four iron cannons are also present on the site," the report continues. "Two are largely exposed above the seabed and lie immediately adjacent to one another on the western side of the site." The site also features remnants of floors, futtocks and a stanchion, which is a post that supported the ship's deck beams. "By 2019, careful surface investigation of all shipwrecks located within the Limited Study Area determined RI 2394 was the most likely candidate for [the] ex-HMS Endeavour," the report said. The site meets 10 criteria that experts previously agreed upon. These include a lack of American timbers, a European elm keel, and evidence of hull repairs matching what is known about HMS Endeavour. The ship also has scuttling holes to prove it was intentionally sunk, and overall possessed "architectural features matching those of Endeavour." The report concluded, "RI 2394 is the largest shipwreck site within the LSA and exhibits attributes that fulfill the criteria." "Consequently, the preponderance of evidence supports this shipwreck site's identification as [HMS Endeavour] … and at the same time discounts any of the other investigated shipwreck sites as that of James Cook's renowned ship of exploration." The Endeavour holds great significance in Australian history as the first European vessel to reach the country's eastern coast. After the ship sailed the world, it was sold to a private citizen in Feb. 1775 and renamed "Lord Sandwich" before it was scuttled. Marine archaeologists across the world are actively discovering countless numbers of shipwrecks per year. Just last week, officials announced that they had discovered a 16th-century shipwreck at record depth in French waters. Off the coast of Ireland, underwater archaeologists recently found an 18th-century vessel that is believed to be a long-lost treasure ship.
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Portrait of Mai: £50m Joshua Reynolds portrait on show in Bradford
An 18th Century painting described as "the finest portrait by one of Britain's greatest artists" has gone on display in Bradford. Valued at £50m, Portrait of Mai by Sir Joshua Reynolds is on show at the city's Cartwright Hall, in painting, which depicts the first Polynesian to visit Britain, is touring the country for the first time since it was saved for the nation in National Portrait Gallery said the artwork was the "most significant acquisition ever made" and would be shared between galleries in the UK and the US. Mai was a native of Raiatea, an island now part of French Polynesia. He travelled to England as part of Captain James Cook's second voyage and was received by royalty and the intellectual elite between 1774 and 1776. After embarking on a grand tour of Britain, Mai became something of a celebrity and had his portrait painted in London. Mai returned to his homeland in 1777, where he died two years later. During its time in Bradford, Portrait of Mai will be accompanied by a new engagement programme, created with youth panel members from Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture and young people from Common/Wealth theatre company.A summit, led and arranged by young people, will take place on 9 August and a late museum event is being organised for 14 August, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Stacey, Head of National Partnerships at the National Portrait Gallery, said: "We are delighted to be launching Journeys with Mai in Bradford during its important UK City of Culture year."She thanked supporters for making their portraits accessible to people across the will be on show at Cartwright Hall until 17 August before going on display in Cambridge and Plymouth before it travels to the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles in 2026. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
