2019 ENDEAVOUR Plans
On Friday, September 21, 2018, at the Gurneys Resort on Goat Island, Newport, Rhode Island, archaeologists from the Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project (RIMAP) and its partner, the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM), reviewed the 25-year-long archaeological study of the Newport transport fleet and revealed that the project had narrowed the search for the Endeavour from the original thirteen vessels to five, and now possibly to one or two archaeological sites. These researchers now plan limited test excavations in 2019 to determine if the primary target (Site RI 2394) could be the Endeavour, This planned work expects to reveal certain ship construction details and to locate diagnostic artifacts that could help to identify the site as that particular ship.
RIMAP Preliminary Site Map for RI 2394 ©RIMAP 2016
RIMAP now needs to complete its creation of a proper artifact management and storage facility, and to that end fundraising is now key. Extra donations may be made by:
Check made out to RIMAP and sent directly to RIMAP at Box 1492, Newport, RI 02840 (RIMAP keeps the total amount)
PayPal button below on this RIMAP website (PayPal takes a small % to handle the transaction)
Or our GoFundMe page. (GoFundMe takes a larger %)
Our team of seven (7) professional marine archaeologist and RIMAP's trained volunteers have begun to organize the coming fieldwork season, starting with our training cycle (see the website page with that application) and preparations for the artifact management facility.
RIMAP has always been one of the few programs in the US where the public may participate in professionally directed marine archaeology research. Our funding has always come from memberships, fees, and grants, but mainly from public generosity. That generosity has never been more important than for the 2019 season.
Please donate and help us excavate to prove it is the Endeavour, and please share this message with your friends !!