A war of words has broken out over the announcement of the discovery of James Cook's ship Endeavour.
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While the Americans involved in the study have insisted the claims were premature and in breach of contract, the Australians are holding firm.
Australian National Maritime Museum CEO Kevin Sumption made the announcement on Thursday that after a 22-year effort, "we can conclusively confirm that this is indeed the wreck of Cook's Endeavour".
The US principal investigator of the discovery in Newport Harbour, Rhode Island insisted her organisation's conclusions will be "driven by proper scientific process and not Australian emotions or politics".
"The Australian National Maritime Museum announcement today is a breach of the contract ... for the conduct of this research and how its results are to be shared with the public," Rhode Island Marine Archaeology executive director Dr Kathy Abbass said.
"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.
"RIMAP is now and always has been the lead organization for the study in Newport harbor."
An Australian National Maritime Museum spokesperson said Dr Abbass was entitled to her opinion.
"We don't believe we are in breach of contract," the spokesperson said.
"We are about to embark on a due process of putting the paper out to the archaeological community and so further insights will be made as happens with all archaeological projects.
"She can have her opinion and we've got ours."
Dr Abbass' organisation will post "the legitimate report on its website" when the study is done.
Dr Kathy Abbass explains the difficulties in finding the Endeavour
In 2019 Dr Kathy Abbass gave the following presentation: "Why is it so hard to find the Endeavour bark?: The American Revolution and the US Navy."
Listen to the Australian National Maritime Museum's Soundcloud link.
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Kim Chappell
As Senior Producer - Digital for ACM's regional titles I assist newsrooms in digital best practice. Before this role, I was the digital journalist with ACM's national team and prior to that, the digital specialist with ACM's Agricultural division. I started as a general rounds journalist with The Land in 2006, moving up to hold the title of chief of staff before switching to digital reporting in 2015.
