An Ambitious Campaign to Bring HM Bark Endeavour Back to Whitby for 2028 Commemorations Gains Momentum.
Plans to bring the world-renowned replica of Captain Cook’s HM Bark Endeavour back to the Yorkshire Coast appear to have taken a significant step forward.
Clair Stones, chairman of the Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Whitby, recently updated the town council on the progress of an ambitious campaign to secure the vessel's return for the Cook 300 celebrations in 2028.
While a formal deal is yet to be finalised, Clair Stones revealed that a delegation from the National Maritime Museum of Australia—where the ship is currently berthed in Darling Harbour, Sydney—is scheduled to visit Whitby this March. This follow-up visit comes after an initial delegation travelled to the town last summer to begin discussions.
Ship Preparations Underway
The prospect of a return journey has been bolstered by the news that the Australian authorities are actively preparing the vessel for a significant voyage. Clair Stones informed the council that the ship is undergoing extensive maintenance, including the installation of a new mast, new sails, and a modern motor.
The impetus for the campaign grew after the replica successfully obtained its sea certificate last year, completing a challenging journey across the Bass Straits to Hobart. This successful voyage led the Endeavour International Alliance, a group formed to promote Cook’s legacy, to consider the possibility of a "homecoming" to the town where the original vessel was built at Thomas Fishburn’s yard.
Clair Stones provided the following update on the current status of the negotiations:
"There is a strong possibility that the Endeavour replica will be returning to Whitby in 2028. Now, it's not fully confirmed, but the Sea Museum sent a delegation over in the summer to come to Whitby to talk to us.
I've been in lots of conversations with them in Sydney. They have set up a committee to talk about bringing the Endeavour back and the director of the Museum and some of the other associates are coming over to Whitby in March.
They're re-rigging the ship. It's having a new mast. It's having new sails. It's had an up to-date motor put on it. They are preparing for a long journey."
Community Spirit and Heritage
The potential return of the Endeavour is expected to be a major event for the region, mirroring the "fantastic spectacle" of previous visits in 1997, 2002, and 2003, which saw thousands of people lining the coast to witness the arrival. Whitby Town Councillor Fiona Shackleton expressed her enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the positive impact such an event has on the community.
Councillor Shackleton stated:
"I think it's a wonderful opportunity. The last time the Endeavour came, it was overwhelming the amount of people that visited the town and just the the community spirit and everything about it was just wonderful. And I think that if we can emulate that again and if we can bring the community together again, it can only be positive for the town.
I think it's a wonderful idea and a marvellous opportunity."
Looking Ahead to 2028
The year 2028 marks the 300th anniversary of James Cook’s birth, and the Alliance views this as perhaps the final opportunity for such a large-scale maritime celebration in this generation. Beyond the ship’s potential visit, the group is working on a year-long programme of commemorations.
The campaign has already received positive feedback from initial discussions with Australian representatives. While the ship may also visit other locations such as Queensland or Middlesbrough, its ties to the Yorkshire Coast remain a central focus of the homecoming effort.
Ms Stones has invited anyone with ideas or contributions for the 2028 celebrations to get in touch via the Captain Cook Memorial Museum.
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