H.M.S. Endeavour
	Historical Feature: 'A better ship for such service I never would wish for.' These were Captain James Cook's words when he took command of the H.M.S. Endeavour on 27 May, 1768. Previously the 'Earl of Pembroke', a 360 tonne coastal collier, the ship was renamed Endeavour after her transfer to the Navy.

Following two months of preparation including the fitting of an extra deck in her cargo hold, the Endeavour set sail for Tahiti on Captain Cook's first voyage of discovery.

It was during this journey that Cook charted the coastline of New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia. In April, 1770, the ship narrowly avoided shipwreck on the Great Barrier Reef near what is now Cooktown. Once repairs were completed, the ship and company sailed for home, reaching England on 10 July, 1771.

Source: Information sheet accompanying the 1994 New Zealand 6 coin uncirculated and proof sets.