Lieutenant James Cook set sail from Plymouth, England in the refitted supply ship Endeavour. In addition to the necessary equipment, many students and family members accompanied the 94 man crew. On this expedition he discovered Australia and mapped New Zealand, Tahiti, and the Society Islands. By the end of the voyage Cook had boundless faith in Endeavour, advising the Admiralty that no other type of vessel should be used to explore distant lands. Poplar, walnut, basswood, Tanganyika, mahogany, maple and beech are used throughout.
Kit includes brass and hardwood fittings, rigging, silk-screened flags and display cradle.
It was common practice for ship builders to submit models of a proposed ship for approval to the Admiralty Board. The models built for this purpose had no masts or rigging, making the deck space, furnishings and armament layout easy to visualize. The hull is double planked in limewood and walnut, with Tanganyika strips for planking the deck. All wooden parts are pre-cut to facilitate assembly. Lanterns, railings and other fittings are brass, gilded cast metal and walnut.