Empire 108. The Endeavour & the Great Southern Continent
18 snips
Dec 26, 2023 
Peter Moore, author of "Endeavour," joins to shed light on the remarkable history of the ship that transformed exploration. He discusses Alexander Dalrymple's ambitious quest for a southern continent and how The Endeavour became key during the Enlightenment. They explore her evolution from a coal hauler to a vital exploratory vessel for the transit of Venus. Additionally, they celebrate the adventurous spirit of Joseph Banks and delve into the intricate social dynamics among ship crews and the significant maritime legacy of Whitby.
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Endeavour's Multiple Identities
- Peter Moore's book Endeavour was inspired by a single line about the ship's origins as a coal vessel.
- This sparked his curiosity about the ship's transformation and its three distinct historical identities.
The Importance of Oak
- The type of oak used to build the Endeavour mattered significantly.
- If the wood had been flawed, the ship might have broken apart when it hit the Great Barrier Reef, altering history.
The Acorn Search
- During Brexit, Peter Moore searched for the specific acorns that might have grown into the Endeavour's timbers.
- He couldn't be certain due to a lack of records, but he aimed to explore this aspect of the ship's history.
