HMS Endeavour to be reworked into pub however not earlier than retracing Captain Cook’s voyage
The ship, currently moored in Whitby harbour, has a fully equipped kitchen and can host up to 250 guests across its three decks – it also has an alcohol licence
The new owners of an exact replica of HMS Endeavour have grand plans to sail the same route as Captain Cook before transforming the vessel into a pub.
The ship, currently moored in Whitby harbour close to where Captain James Cook began his historic voyage on the original Endeavour in 1768, has undergone refurbishment since 2018.
It’s been decked out with a fully equipped kitchen, can host 250 guests across three decks, and has an alcohol licence. After being listed for £1.5 million, an Australian enthusiast has snapped up part of the ship from current owner Dean Heslop.
The Whitby Endeavour is one of only two life-sized models globally – its twin resides at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney.
The ambitious new co-owners plan to make the ship ocean-ready and retrace the journey of the original Endeavour, visiting spots such as Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia.
Heslop shared his excitement about the venture: “With the new investment of funds, fun and enthusiasm from Australia we are looking forward to fast-tracking the second stage of our business together.
“This is a great milestone in our journey and since purchasing Endeavour we have been hard at work building and investing in the future of our Whitby icon and bringing a quality and unique hospitality experience.”
Teaming up with Aussies, Heslop is eager to celebrate this significant piece of shared history: “It is great to be teaming up with the Australians to build on this incredible part of our shared history together.”
The proprietors plan to operate the Endeavour as a pub, restaurant and wedding venue in Yorkshire during the UK’s spring and summer. It will then be shipped to Australia each autumn to capitalise on the Southern Hemisphere’s summer.
The Endeavour is presently undergoing repairs, but it is anticipated to reopen by March next year.
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