Auckland: Researchers say they may have found the remains of the HMS Endeavour, the ship on which Captain James Cook first discovered the eastern coastline of Australia.

Cook commanded the Endeavour on his first voyage of discovery to Australia New Zealand between 1769 and 1771.

It was last seen in 1778, by which time it was being used as a transport ship during the American Revolution and renamed the Lord Sandwich.

US archaeologists now say they may have come across the ship's wreck off the coast of Rhode Island, where they believe it was scuttled by British troops during the American Revolution.