The Discovery of Pirate Ships in the Present Day
People today think of pirates as romantic adventurers who led daring lives. Their true lives remain largely a mystery, and the facts we know about them come from limited actual accounts, legends, newspapers and documents from pirates who were caught and put on trial. Treasure hunters—professionals who use documented accounts of pirate ships that sank—use modern equipment to search the ocean for the possible prize of lost treasures.
In 1984, history changed with the first documented discovery of a pirate ship, off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Barry Clifford, a sea explorer, discovered pirate Sam Bellamy's ship Whydah. In 1717, Sam Bellamy and the Whydah met its fate and sank in a storm only a few hundred yards from the shore.
All of the crew, except for two that managed to get to shore, perished in the storm. Clifford began the search for the Whydah in 1983. He used a salvage boat and instruments to detect metal on the ocean floor in search for the ship's cannons.
It was a year later, in 1984, that they lifted the first of the ship's cannons from the seabed, but at first they were not certain that it was from the Whydah, as many other ships have sunk off the shoals of Cape Cod. The most convincing discovery in 1985 when the ship's bell, inscribed with the words “Whydah Gally," was brought to the surface.
Since the first discovery of the Whydah, many items have been uncovered, including silver, gold, jewelry, and other wares. The expedition continues today to uncover artifacts of the lost ship.
All of the crew, except for two that managed to get to shore, perished in the storm. Clifford began the search for the Whydah in 1983. He used a salvage boat and instruments to detect metal on the ocean floor in search for the ship's cannons.
It was a year later, in 1984, that they lifted the first of the ship's cannons from the seabed, but at first they were not certain that it was from the Whydah, as many other ships have sunk off the shoals of Cape Cod. The most convincing discovery in 1985 when the ship's bell, inscribed with the words “Whydah Gally," was brought to the surface.
Since the first discovery of the Whydah, many items have been uncovered, including silver, gold, jewelry, and other wares. The expedition continues today to uncover artifacts of the lost ship.
Blackbeard's ship, Queen Anne's Revenge, may also have been discovered. The Queen Anne's Revenge was a ship captured for Blackbeard in the Caribbean in 1717. Blackbeard outfitted the sleek vessel to make it powerful and able to evade warships by adding a crew of nearly 300 men and increasing its guns from 26 to 40.
After his famous blockade of Charleston Harbor in 1718, he ran aground on a shoal near Beaufort Inlet and sank. Many believe that Blackbeard ran the Queen Anne's Revenge aground on purpose so he could disband his crew, escape, and retire from piracy.
In 1986, the Florida-based ocean research company Intersal, Inc., in cooperation with the state of North Carolina, made the initial discovery of a large cannon from which many believe is the wreck of Queen Anne's Revenge. Circumstantial evidence, such as the recovery of other cannons, artifacts including navigational instruments and personal items, and a ship's bell dated 1709, place it in the time period when Blackbeard's ship sank.
Although there were thousands of shipwrecks in this area up to the 20th century, scientists have been able look at things such as the time the wood was milled for the ship to determine that the discovery might be the Queen Anne's Revenge. The wreck remains today in only about 20 feet of water and efforts continue to find direct evidence that would identify it as Blackbeard's famous ship.
After his famous blockade of Charleston Harbor in 1718, he ran aground on a shoal near Beaufort Inlet and sank. Many believe that Blackbeard ran the Queen Anne's Revenge aground on purpose so he could disband his crew, escape, and retire from piracy.
In 1986, the Florida-based ocean research company Intersal, Inc., in cooperation with the state of North Carolina, made the initial discovery of a large cannon from which many believe is the wreck of Queen Anne's Revenge. Circumstantial evidence, such as the recovery of other cannons, artifacts including navigational instruments and personal items, and a ship's bell dated 1709, place it in the time period when Blackbeard's ship sank.
Although there were thousands of shipwrecks in this area up to the 20th century, scientists have been able look at things such as the time the wood was milled for the ship to determine that the discovery might be the Queen Anne's Revenge. The wreck remains today in only about 20 feet of water and efforts continue to find direct evidence that would identify it as Blackbeard's famous ship.