"Yeeaaarrrggghh!
Posted on 12/13/2007 10:43:49 AM PST by SpringheelJack
The wreckage of a pirate ship abandoned by Captain Kidd in the 17th century has been found by divers in shallow waters off the Dominican Republic, a research team claims.
The underwater archaeology team, from Indiana University, says they have found the remains of Quedagh Merchant, actively sought by treasure hunters for years.
Charles Beeker of IU said his team has been licensed to study the wreckage and convert the site into an underwater preserve for the public.
It is remarkable that the wreck has remained undiscovered all these years given its location, just 70 feet off the coast of Catalina Island in the Dominican Republic in less than 10 feet of seawater.
"I've been on literally thousands of shipwrecks in my career," Beeker said. "This is one of the first sites I've been on where I haven't seen any looting. We've got a shipwreck in crystal clear, pristine water that's amazingly untouched. We want to keep it that way, so we made the announcement now to ensure the site's protection from looters."
The find is valuable because of what it could reveal about William Kidd and piracy in the Caribbean, said John Foster, California's state underwater archaeologist, who is participating in the research.
Historians differ on whether Kidd was actually a pirate or a privateer — someone who captured pirates. After his conviction of piracy and murder charges in a sensational London trial, he was left to hang over the River Thames for two years.
Historians write that Kidd captured the Quedagh Merchant, loaded with valuable satins and silks, gold, silver and other East Indian merchandise, but left the ship in the Caribbean as he sailed to New York on a less conspicuous sloop to clear his name of the criminal charges.
IU Anthropologist Geoffrey Conrad said the men Kidd entrusted with his ship reportedly looted it and then set it ablaze and adrift down the Rio Dulce. Conrad said the location of the wreckage and the formation and size of the canons, which had been used as ballast, are consistent with historical records of the ship. They also found pieces of several anchors under the cannons.
"All the evidence that we find underwater is consistent with what we know from historical documentation, which is extensive," Conrad said. "Through rigorous archeological investigations, we will conclusively prove that this is the Capt. Kidd shipwreck."
The IU team examined the shipwreck at the request of the Dominican Republic's Oficina Nacional De Patrimonio Cultural Subacuático.
"The site was initially discovered by a local prominent resident of Casa De Campo, who recognized the significance of the numerous cannons and requested the site be properly investigated," said ONPCS Technical Director Francis Soto. "So, I contacted IU."
‘After his conviction of piracy and murder charges in a sensational London trial, he was left to hang over the River Thames for two years. ‘
Remember folks, the brits think we’re the savages....(eyes rolling)
Does this story qualify for the colonial history ping list?
just say ‘yarrr...’
They want to protect the pirate ship from being looted. Ironical ain’t it?
How is this possible? The wreck could be seen from shore by everyone.
ping!
"Yeeaaarrrggghh!
Are you sure they're not talking about "Pirates of the Caribbean -- At World's End"?
Whah??? I thought a "privateer" was an officially sanctioned private operating with a "Letter of Marque" to prey on enemy shipping. Capturing pirates has nothing to do with it.
private = pirate
I thought a privateer had "letters of marque" from the state, that gave them authority to attack enemy shipping, which could include pirates.
I don't think the author knows his subject.
Damn, you beat me by about 30 seconds.
William Moore (or Moorer, I think that the guy was illiterate)the man who Captain Kidd shot for starting the mutiny, was a family ancestor.
Maybe we can make a claim for some of the treasure!
1. My name was William Kidd,
When I sailed, when I sailed,
O my name was William Kidd, when I sailed.
My name was William Kidd,
And God's laws I did forbid,
And much wickedness I did,
When I sailed.
And much wickedness I did,
When I sailed.
2. My parents taught me well,
When I sailed, when I sailed,
O my parents taught me well,
When I sailed.
My parents taught me well,
To shun the gates of hell,
But against them I rebelled,
When I sailed.
3. I'd a Bible in my hand, [etc.]
By my father's great command,
And I sunk it in the sand,
When I sailed.
4. I murdered William Moore,
And laid him in his gore,
Not many leagues from shore,
As I sailed.
5. I was sick and nigh to death,
And I vowed with every breath,
To walk in wisdom's ways,
When I sailed.
6. I thought I was undone,
And my wicked glass had run,
But health did soon return,
As I sailed.
7. My repentance lasted not,
My vows I soon forgot,
Damnation was my lot,
As I sailed.
8. I spied three ships from France,
To them I did advance,
And took them all by chance,
As I sailed.
9. I spied three ships from Spain,
I looted them for gain,
Till most of them were slain,
As I sailed.
10. I'd ninety bars of gold,
And dollars manifold,
With riches uncontrolled,
As I sailed.
11. Thus being o'ertaken at last,
And into prison cast,
And sentence being passed,
As I sailed.
12. Farewell, the raging main,
I must die, I must die,
Farewell, the raging main,
To Turkey, France, and Spain,
I shall ne'er see you again,
For I must die.
13. To the execution dock,
I must go,
While many thousands flock,
But I must bear the shock,
And must die.
14. Come all ye young and old,
See me die,
You're welcome to my gold,
For by it I've lost my soul,
And must die.
15. Take a warning now by me,
As I die
And shun bad company,
Let you come to hell with me,
For I must die.
eeewww!
Maybe a DeMille ping too.
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