Evening aboard the replica of Cook’s Endeavour

by Shirani Aththas on 5 Mar 2008 Step back in time for an 18th century tall ship adventure with the National Maritime Museum’s Evening on Endeavour from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm on Saturday 29 March.

Bring the family or come down yourself to experience a special evening aboard the museum’s full-scale replica of Captain Cook’s HMB Endeavour – 18th century sailors dress encouraged!

The evening will begin with a personally guided tour of the ship above deck and below where you’ll learn all about Cook’s amazing voyage of discovery in 1768-70 where he became the first to chart the east coast of Australia.

Our volunteer guides will take you through this journey, describing the sorts of living conditions he and his crew experienced, what they ate and how they slept as you wander through the galley, the sailors’ mess, the midi-mates’ mess, officers’ and gentlemens’ cabins, and finally the Great Cabin.

The evening will wrap up with a performance on the quarterdeck by museum volunteer and folk-singer Colin Douglas along with a light supper. Colin’s selection of traditional sea shanties will get you tapping your feet and provide a wonderful way to end the evening.

When berthed at the museum Endeavour is presented as a floating museum showing evidence of the 18th century crew going about their business during their historic voyage of discovery…

Joseph Bank’s botanical specimens are spread out on the table in the Great Cabin, the captain’s swinging cot waits ready for Cook’s next rest while the mess deck offers a meal part-served.

Hailed as one of the most accurate ship replicas in the world, Endeavour was built in Fremantle in the early 1990s. Now based permanently at the Australian National Maritime Museum, the ship continues to make regular voyages to various ports around Australia.

Tickets are $20 adults/children, $45 families (2 adults + 4 children). Ticket includes sausage sizzle dinner before guided tour. Children must be over 90 cm tall and able to walk to take part. Bookings essential, call 02 9298 3655.
The National Maritime Museum, at Darling Harbour, is open daily from 9.30 am to 5 pm. All inquiries, (02) 9298 3777.