Was the Endeavour a clipper ship?

Answer 1

No, HMS Endeavour was a British Royal Navy research vessel, it was not a clipper, it was a 'Bark' (In the 18th centuary, the British Royal Navy used the term bark for a nondescript vessel that did not fit any of its usual categories).

A 'Clipper' was a very fast sailing ship of the 19th century that had three or more masts and a square rig - these ships were used as commercial, not military vessels.

Further information:

The Endeavour was HM Bark Endeavour.

There were two reasons by which a ship might be classified as a "bark":

1. A bark was any ship which did not match the usual classification of ship and if it was commanded by a Lieutenant. At this stage, Cook was still a Lieutenant, and had not yet been promoted to captain.

2. A bark could also refer to a ship with a flat bow and square stern.

The Endeavour was also an ex-collier, or coal-carrying ship - formerly the Whitby cat collier "Earl of Pembroke". It had been bought by the British navy and converted so it was suitable for exploration and scientific pursuits.