Researchers say they’re closing in on Captain Cook’s ship

By: The Associated Press

news@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Researchers say they believe the ship that legendary explorer Captain James Cook used to sail around the world is still submerged somewhere in Rhode Island’s Newport Harbor, but it’ll take a lot of work and money to try to identify it.

The Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project, which is leading the search effort, says the Endeavour was part of a fleet of ships the British scuttled during the Revolutionary War to blockade the port.

The nonprofit has narrowed its search to a group of five sunken wrecks.

It has mapped four of the sites and plans to investigate further this year.

Executive Director Kathy Abbass said after a news conference in Providence on Wednesday that she’ll need to raise millions for field work and to build a facility for artifacts.

She says they may not find enough conclusive evidence.

(c) The Associated Press  2016