Climb aboard the HM Bark Endeavour and dive into her rich history.
Many ships have graced Whitby’s rugged shores, and none have achieved such interest and delight! Here's further information about the Whitby Endeavour experience.
The HM Bark Endeavour and Captain Cook
In August 1768, the HM Bark Endeavour set sail from Plymouth on a three-year voyage to explore the ‘unknown Southern lands, ‘ also known as Terra Australis.
Captain James Cook was in charge of this mission. He had started life as a simple grocer's shop boy in Staithes. Realising it was not a life he was suited to, however, he quickly moved to Whitby, where he became a merchant navy apprentice and finally a member of the Royal British Navy.
The Captain Cook Museum in Whitby reveals a lot of helpful information about the famous seaman.
The Endeavour Experience
The HM Bark Endeavour has three decks to explore: the main deck, the top deck, and the Orlop deck. The main deck and top deck are filled with exhibits and interactive experiences, whilst the Orlop deck houses the cafe and restaurant. A flight of stairs accesses each deck.
Main deck
The leading deck houses most exhibits, all aimed at giving the visitor a full-on experience of Captain Cook's voyage to Australia, including what life was like onboard the HM Bark Endeavour.
You can step inside the Captain's great cabin and surround yourself with the man and his crew. You can also learn what happened when the ship ran aground and what Cook thought of the first Australian natives he saw!
Top deck
On the top deck, you will find the ship's wheel and the capstan. This was used to winch heavy objects and took eight sailors to power!
This level also contains the canons; you will learn precisely how they were fired. You can also discover how discipline was metered to prevent sailors from committing crimes and why urine was stored in barrels to rinse clothes!
Orlop deck
Here, you will find a fabulous array of starters, mains, and desserts served in an authentic-looking ship's mess that has been renovated to modern standards and dressed in the finest tableware.
