New Destinations: Tracking Down Pirates’ Treasures
Considering the recent hype with pirate movies, it seems that many people are fascinated by the pirate world, their unjust way to live and they hidden treasures. As for the plunders, there are few documented examples of pirates that actually did so. They usually spent it on orgies, drinking and whoring. Nonetheless, some of them chose to bury their treasure were no one could find it. So if you want to trace back the real pirates movies were made of, here are a few ideas for the perfect travel destination:
The ship of the infamous Captain Kidd, the inspiration for Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, was found near an island off the Dominican Republic, 70 feet below crystal waters. The cannon, barnacled ship and anchors were found surrounded by white sand and is believed to be the wreckage of a ship abandoned in 1899 – the Quedagh Merchant. Luckily, this was one of the few wrecks untouched by looters. The truth is finally emerging after 300 years of staying underwater. The Dominican Republic will allow American scientists to study it, revealing more about the mysterious pirate. Apparently, the 500-ton Quedagh Merchant ended up in the Indian Ocean loaded with satins and silks, gold, silver and other goods from wealthy traders in India, the treasure being estimated at £500,000.
The flagship of the pirate “Black Sam” Bellamy, Whydah Gally, was first launched in England in 1795. The ship was 31 meters long, was estimated to weigh 300 tons, being meant to carry goods from Europe in exchange for slaves from Africa. Captured in 1717 by Black Sam, the ship was eventually driven ashore in Wellfleet, Massachusetts and broke apart. Relying on a 1717 map, the ship was discovered in 1184 by underwater explorer Barry Clifford, recovering more than 100,000 pieces. Some artifacts are being displayed at Expedition Whydah Sea-Lab & Learning Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts. It is estimated that the ship carried nearly 4 tons of silver, gold, gold dust, and jewelry.
Florida has a fascinating treasure when it comes to pirates, the state being visited by Rackham, Bowlegs, Bonnett, Blackbeard, Lafitte, Gasparilla, Kidd and possibly even Morgan himself. The roamed the Caribbean Seas, burying whatever treasure they found in Florida. Out of these pirates, the most notorious probably Jose Gaspar, better known as Gasparilla. The pirate attacked what seemed to be a merchant man only to find out later that the ship was in fact a warship. Upon realizing this, Jose committed suicide taking his ship down with him. The ship contained $1,000,000 in assorted treasure and sunk around Charlotte Harbor. Boca Grande or what today is known as Gasparilla Island was his headquarters and the place where he and his main are said to have buried some of their valuables.
sources: 1, 2, 3, 4; photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
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