Lead plate from the wreck of HMB ENDEAVOUR

HM Bark ENDEAVOUR, was a British Royal Navy research vessel commanded by Lieutenant James Cook on his first voyage of discovery, to Australia and New Zealand from 1769 to 1771. Launched in 1764 as the collier (coal transport) EARL OF PEMBROKE, she was purchased by the Navy in 1768 and renamed HM Bark ENDEAVOUR. The ship was 106 ft long and displaced 368 tons. On the 1769 voyage of discovery, along with the ship’s master Robert Molineaux, ENDEAVOUR carried a crew of 94 sailors, scientists and marines, as well as ten 4-pounder cannons and twelve swivel guns.

Being the first European vessel to visit New Zealand since Abel Tasman’s HEEMSKERCK in 1642, ENDEAVOUR became the first European vessel to make landfall on the east coast of Australia, when Cook landed in what is now known as Botany Bay, in New South Wales. Later, on 11 June 1770, the ship struck a reef, near today’s Cooktown. Cook ordered that the ship be lightened to help float off the reef. Iron and stone ballast, spoiled stores and all but four of the ship’s guns were thrown overboard, eventually the ship was floated on the tide. ENDEAVOUR was beached at what is now known as Endeavour River for repairs and then resumed her course northward.

The Silentworld Foundation collection includes lead sheathing which was used to insulate the armoury and provide flash guards for the cannon, stone ballast, pig-iron ballast (kentledge) and cannon balls, all of which were located at the grounding site.