The final resting place of Captain James Cook's ship Endeavour has reportedly been found after maritime archaeologists spent two decards looking for it.
Australian National Maritime Museum chief executive Kevin Sumption confirmed on Thursday the wreckage of Cook's vessel had been identified in Newport Harbor, Rhode Island in the United States.
But Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project Dr Kathy Abbass told ABC the report is "premature".
"What we see on the shipwreck site under study is consistent with what might be expected of the Endeavour, but there has been no indisputable data found to prove the site is that iconic vessel, and there are many unanswered questions that could overturn such an identification."
Sumption is confident - based on the evidence at hand - that the discovery is in fact the Endeavour.
"Based on archival and archaeological evidence, I'm convinced it's the Endeavour," he said.
"I am satisfied that this is the final resting place of one of the most important and contentious vessels in Australia's maritime history," Sumption added.
Sumption told media the Endeavour is "arguably" one of Australia's most important vessels in Maritime history.
"It's an important historical moment, as this vessel's role in exploration, astronomy and science applies not just to Australia, but also Aotearoa New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States."
Cook's ship the Endeavour was scuttled in the Newport Harbour by British forces during the American War of Independence in 1788, where its been for 250 years.
Cook sailed the Endeavour around the South Pacific before he landed on the east coast of Australia in 1770.
