THE recently discovered shipwreck of James Cook’s Endeavour is being eaten by “termites of the ocean”, according to an expert. Shipworms and crustaceans called ‘gribbles’ have infiltrated the wood of the vessel, as reported by The Guardian. University of Plymouth marine biology lecturer Reuben Shipway dived down to the wreck,...
THE recently discovered shipwreck of James Cook’s Endeavour is being eaten by “termites of the ocean”, according to an expert.
Shipworms and crustaceans called ‘gribbles’ have infiltrated the wood of the vessel, as reported by The Guardian.
University of Plymouth marine biology lecturer Reuben Shipway dived down to the wreck, which is sunken off Rhode Island, and found shipworms had infiltrated a piece of wood belonging to the site.
“It means one of the most important wrecks in human history is being destroyed right underneath our noses,” Shipway said.
“This is a vessel that connects the UK to Australia, and to America, because it also played a really important role in the battle for American independence.
“It’s our shared cultural heritage, and it’s being destroyed.”
