Researchers Close In on Captain Cook's Ship

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Researchers say they believe the ship that legendary explorer Captain James Cook used to sail around the world is still submerged somewhere in Rhode Island’s Newport Harbor, but it’ll take a lot of work and money to try to identify it.     The Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project, which is leading the search effort, says the Endeavour was part of a fleet of ships the British scuttled during the Revolutionary War to blockade the port.     The nonprofit has narrowed its search to a group of five sunken wrecks.     It has mapped four of the sites and plans to investigate further this year.     Executive Director Kathy Abbass said after a news conference in Providence on Wednesday that she’ll need to raise millions for field work and to build a facility for artifacts.     She says they may not find enough conclusive evidence.          Photo caption:     FILE – In this April 17, 2005, file photo, the replica of the ship, the Endeavour, lies at anchor after it was removed from a sandbar in Botany Bay, Sydney. Researchers are set to announce on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 that they believe the original Endeavour is submerged somewhere in Rhode Island’s Newport Harbor. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)     Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.