HM Bark Endeavour

The full-scale replica of Captain Cook’s ship, the HM Bark Endeavour, will be docking at the North York Moors coastline in Whitby next spring, offering an opportunity for schools to learn about maritime history.

HM Bark Endeavour, one of only two full-scale replicas in the world of the ship commanded by explorer Captain James Cook for his voyage to Australia and New Zealand, will relocate from Stockton-On-Tees to Whitby in spring 2018.

HM Bark Endeavour

The ship was recently bought at auction by Whitby businessman Andrew Fiddler for £155,000, safeguarding the replica's future as a North East visitor attraction, after beating competing bids that could have seen it move to Portsmouth, London or even Dubai. 

After a refurbishment, repair and transportation programme, HM Bark Endeavour will re-open to visitors in Whitby, where the original ship was built in the 1700s and where the explorer formed his maritime career.

The arrival of the ship in Whitby in 2018 will coincide with the 250th anniversary when Captain Cook first set sail from Portsmouth on-board Endeavour to observe the transit of Venus at Tahiti, circumnavigate and chart New Zealand and chart the East coast of Australia.

More about the re-opening

The re-opening aims to be a popular historic visitor attraction and a centre for learning for schools visiting the area.

Catriona McLees, head of promotion and tourism for the North York Moors National Park Authority, commented: “We're delighted to help support a project that has such a strong resonance with the National Park particularly with Cook's early years being spent near Roseberry Topping and Great Ayton before he moved to Staithes and then onto Whitby where his maritime career began. 

“The ship will be a great draw for visitors and encourage them to make their own discoveries of the wonders along our coast.”

For more information, visit www.northyorkmoors.org.uk