Endeavour Replica

In the summer of 1999, the Endeavour Replica came to Port Townsend, Washington. Naturally I went to see it, and here are some of the pictures.

The Endeavour started out as the Earl of Pembroke, an east-coast collier (coal ship) designed for maximum cargo and relatively small crew. Due to her strength and capacity Endeavour was bought by the Royal Navy and refitted for the voyage. Other ships under consideration, such as the 24-gun frigate Rose, could not carry enough supplies.

She measured 106 feet overall with an extreme breadth of 29 feet. Fully laden Endeavour displaced 550 tons and drew about 14 feet of water.

At left is a shot of the replica's main mast.

Cook had an extra deck built to house the additional personnel needed for the voyage. Altogether there were about 85 seamen, officers, scientists, and servants-- making things a bit snug.

I'm not too tall, so I didn't have a problem in this area- but you've got to walk completely doubled over in the Marine quarters. I had to duck my head to get in and out of the officer's cabins too.

The numbered notches in the beams above are where the hammocks are slung.

Endeavour's rather blunt bows certainly do not give the impression of great speed or agility, nevertheless Cook was extremely pleased with her performance and looked for a ship of similar qualities for his following voyages.

The mizzen mast and red ensign.

At right is a good view of the dead-eyes and channels that secure the shrouds, which in turn steady the mast from side to side.

Lines that balance the masts fore and aft are called stays.

A view of the deck looking forward...

Which rope am I supposed to pull?

The main guns of the Endeavour.

Her armament was mostly intended to scare and impress hostile natives in the south seas.

England was at war with France and Spain during much of the late 1700s, but the scientific nature of her mission earned Endeavour safe passage.

Endeavour carried 12 swivel guns (left) and 10 carriage guns (above).

The big white thing in the background at left is an anchor stock.

This is me at the wheel.

While I was on the tour, three French privateers rounded the cape and made straight for us. I immediately took command. We set courses and topsails and held the weather gauge. A lucky shot holed the first corsair, but the Endeavour was not quick enough to give chase.