BONES OF THE ENDEAVOUR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 17 January 1925, Page 6

BONES OF THE ENDEAVOUR

AT REST IN DUSKY SOUND

The historic associations that linger about the West Coast Sounds constitute a very sticng attraction from the lourist’k' point of view. In this respect Dusky Sound is perhaps the most interesting of all Sounds. It was visited by Cook on each of his voyages. In the bush at the back of Pickersgill’s Harbour can still be seen the stumps of the trees where Cook's men made a clearing. "The most historic ground in New Zealand,” the late Dr. McNab called it. By an interesting coincidence Cook’s Endeavour found its last resting-place in Dusky Sound, at Facile Harbour. At one time quite a controversy raged as to what ultimately happened to this historic vessel. It was claimed by certain American historians that the Endeavour had , been brought by an American owner and finally left to rot in Newport Harbour. It was definitely proved by Dr.'McNab that this was not, the case. It has now been fairly-well established, says a Southern paper, that the Endeavour was sold and used in the cattle trade between Australia and England. She eventually sprung a leak when a few days out from Sydney and was beached* in Dusky Sound. She now lies about sft. under water at low tides, and pieces of her timber were brought up by a.recent holiday party with a boat-hook. Although it has been submerged for over 100 years the wood, which is the best English oak, is still quite firm. Dusky Sound was in the days of the sailing vessel a regular port of call for vessels trading between England and Australia. Here fresh water and fresh food could be obtained in abudance. It was also very popular with the seklers, and at one time ‘there was almost a town there.