Researchers say they have identified a site off the coast of the US state of Rhode Island where they think the ship that 18th-century explorer Captain James Cook used to sail around the world may be located.

The Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project, which is leading the search effort, and the Australian National Maritime Museum identified the site in the harbour near Newport, Rhode Island.

Archaeologists are meeting in Newport on Friday to talk about their recent fieldwork.

Expand Close A replica of the Endeavour leaving Honolulu (Ronen Zilberman/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp A replica of the Endeavour leaving Honolulu (Ronen Zilberman/AP)

They describe the site as “promising” but have said it will still take a lot more work and money to identify the ship.

Capt Cook ran aground on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef during a voyage to the South Pacific nearly 250 years ago.

He used his ship, the Endeavour, to claim Australia for the British during his historic 1768-1771 voyage.

PA