'Premature': Australia blasted for announcing discovery of Endeavour ship

The Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM)has been slammed for announcing the discovery of Captain James Cook's ship off the US coastline, with American researchers saying the announcement was "premature".

On Thursday, ANMM CEO Kevin Sumption "conclusively" confirmed the wreck in Newport Harbour was in fact the British explorer's Endeavour.

The announcement came after a 22-year program of archival and archaeological research.

"This is an important moment," he told reporters in Sydney on Thursday.

"It is arguably one of the most important vessels in our maritime history."

Following the statement, executive director Dr Kathy Abbass of the Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project (RIMAP), the lead organisation involved, said the announcement out of Australia was "premature".

Dr Abbass said it was "a breach of the contract" between the two organisations, "for the conduct of this research and how its results are to be shared with the public".

"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," Dr Abbass said.

The statement also said RIMAP would "post the legitimate report" when the study has concluded.

"Meanwhile, RIMAP recognises the connection between Australian citizens of British descent and the Endeavour, but RIMAP's conclusions will be driven by proper scientific process and not Australian emotions or politics," Dr Abbass said.

However, a spokesperson for the ANMM told AAP it had not breached any contracts by making the announcement.

The spokesperson added the museum looked forward to following through with the due process, with peer reviews and consultation with those in Rhode Island.

"Having worked with Dr Abbass to investigate the Endeavour shipwreck site for 22 years, the museum acknowledges that she is entitled to her own opinion regarding the vast amount of evidence we have accumulated," the spokesperson said.

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Maritime archaeologists have been investigating several 18th century shipwrecks in the Newport Harbour area since 1999.

Of the vessel which appears to be the Endeavour, only about 15 per cent of the ship remains.

However, there are several details which have convinced archaeologist it is Cook's lost ship, after structural details were matched with plans for the ship.

Researchers are now focused on what can be done to protect and preserve the historic remains and Mr Sumption said the ANMM would look to borrow some material from the ship for a display in Australia.

The Endeavour was previously known as the the Earl of Pembroke when it launched in 1764, until the name was changed by Britain's Royal Navy in 1768.

Cook eventually sailed it around the South Pacific searching for "the Great Southern Land", charting the coast of New Zealand and Australia's eastern coastline.

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