H.M. Bark Endeavour Replica
Lieutenant James Cooks' 1768 voyage in H.M. Bark Endeavour was one of the most important voyages of discovery in navigation and natural sciences. We have constructed at the museum a life size replica of this famous ship. Guided tours take place at weekends and during the school holidays at 12 noon and 3 pm. Click here to view the plans of the ship
Historical Information
The" Earl of Pembroke" was a collier built in Whitby, Yorkshire in 1765. It was purchased by the Admiralty after being recommended by Captain Cook as eminently suited for the voyages proposed, and he renamed her H.M. Bark Endeavour. Colliers were the 18th century equivalents of modern bulk carriers, solidly built with flat bottoms and ample storage, in fact purpose built to allow ingress in shallow uncharted waters, slow and sturdy, sea kindly and safe even in rough weathers.
The Endeavour was used on Captain Cooks first great cicumnavigation of the globe in 1768-71. Accompanied by Joseph Banks and Doctor Daniel Solander over 2,500 new species of plants were discovered. Cook also became the first captain able to calculate his longitudal position with accuracy using complex mathematical formulae developed in the early 1760s. Cook was also famous for feeding his crew boiled cabbage, lemon juice and fresh greens which wiped out forever the dreaded scurvy caused by lack of vitamins, something sailors have been grateful for ever since.
Replica Construction
After due consideration and the careful study of our site we decided on constructing the Endeavour to enable children today the unique experience of seeing life as it was on these primitive ships. We obtained a copy of the original draught 1768 from the National Maritime Museum and commenced construction in sections developed from these drawings (photographs of the different stages of construction are on display in the forward fall).
We have ommitted the hold where all the provisions, water, ammunition etc were stored. Constucting our ship from the waterline up increased the headroom between the lower deck and after fall by about one foot for your viewing comfort.
The mess tables are suspended on ropes allowing them to be lifted up to provide extra protection for the the crew if attacked, likewise the hammocks, which incedently were hung at 14 inch centres according to the original specifications making conditions for the ninety eight men on board somewhat cramped.