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HMB Endeavour Replica
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In January 1988, to commemorate
the bicentenary of European settlement in Australia, work began in
Fremantle, Western Australia on a replica of Endeavour. The survival of the
original drawings from the 1768 refit at Deptford meant that the replica
could be made as similar as possible to the original ship. Financial
difficulties delayed completion until April 1994. She then embarked on her
own world trip, calling at many ports along the way. After a long voyage the
ship is alongside at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney.
The ship first visited Whitby, the original Endeavour's home port in
England, in 1997 and left in 2003.
Research conducted by Karl Heinz Marquardt has cast interesting doubt on the
accuracy of the Mizzen Mast dimensions in replica craft (and scale models).
A number of the original drawings of Earl of Penbroke and Endeavour still
are in existence, although these do not include a mast plan. One drawing
(3814c) has written mast and spar dimensions including that of 16 yards 29
inches for the mizzen. Marquardt compares the dimensions of the masts to
those in the Navy Standard (W Sutherland, The Ship Builders Assistant,
(London 1711, reprint Rotherfield 1989) and dimensions suggested by other
sources for mizzen (specifically J Davis from The Seamen's Speculum, London
1711 reprint N.R.G 1985 and J H Roding (unattributed)). All of the other
masts are longer than contemporary standards. The mizzen is however shorter
than the standards, unless the length in the drawing 3814(c) is a
transcription error and should be 19 yards 29 inches (rather than 16/29).
The 16/29 reproduction produces a very truncated looking mast, and is
inconsistent with the few contemporary reproductions of Endeavour (including
sketches of the acclaimed Sydney Parkinson who was the draughtsmen on the
first voyage).
Details taken from K H Marquardt "Captain Cook's Endeavour" published 1995
(ISBN 9708 85177 8969) from the "Anatomy of the Ship" series by publisher
Anova Books, London, pp18-20, Parkinson sketch p32. |
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