James Cook

The ship was famously used by Cook on his first voyage of discovery to the Pacific Ocean between 1768 & 1771

Australian maritime experts said on Feb. 3 they believed they've found the wreck of one of the most important ships in the history of the South Pacific after it was scuttled in the U.S. more than 200 years ago.

But archaeologists in the U.S. quickly countered by saying the findings were premature and a breach of contract in their joint research.

Marine archaeologists believe they have found the ship of legendary explorer Captain James Cook — the one he used to “discover” Australia’s East Coast- off Rhode Island in Newport Harbor.