Endeavour Bark 1768

Endeavour Bark 1768

In February of 1768 the Royal Society of London petitioned King George III to finance a scientific expedition to the Pacific Ocean.

The expedition's ostensible purpose was to study and observe the 1769 transit of Venus across the sun in concert with several other observations to be made from different locations.

However, a more pragmatic reason was to be relayed to her captain by the Admiralty in additional instructions; namely, to search out the southern Pacific for signs of the postulated continent, Terra Australis Incognita (Unknown southern land).

The mission approved, the newly built ship was purchased by the Royal Navy and assigned for use in the Society's expedition.

She was renamed Endeavour after a major refit at Deptford on the River Thames in 1768, her improvements including caulking the hull and adding a third deck to prepare her for her new role as an exploration vessel.

Classified by the Navy as a bark, she was known as Endeavour Bark to distinguish her from another Endeavour in the Royal Navy.

She transported 94 people on her first voyage.

This 18th century use of the term bark should not be confused with the barques of the later 19th and early 20th century.

Alexander Dalrymple from the Royal Society was first proposed for command of the voyage, but he made it a condition that he be given a commission with rank of captain, since otherwise the crew would not be subject to naval discipline under him.

First Lord of the Admiralty Edward Hawke refused, going so far as to say he would rather cut off his right hand than sign a commission trusting one of His Majesty's ships to a non seaman!

Hawke may well have had in mind a recent case of Dr Halley who was given such a commission and the sailors refused to recognise his authority.

The impasse was broken by Philip Stephens proposing James Cook who had done good work as a surveyor in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The admiralty board accepted this and promoted Cook to the rank of lieutenant on 25 May 1768.

The Mantua kit features a plank on frame hull construction, building plans with general details English instructions, lost wax brass castings walnut or lime planking, wooden masts and spars, brass and walnut fittings, etched brass details, rigging cord and silk flag.

All sheet ply sections are laser cut for accuracy.

Scale 1:60 Length: 770 mm Width: 230 mm Height: 655 mm