Arrr, Matey
The archaeologists who have been working diligently to explore the wreck of what they think is the flagship of the pirate Blackbeard believe they will have the entire shipwreck excavated in three years. Although there is still some disagreement as to whether the wreck actually is the Queen Anne's Revenge, evidence continues to grow that it belonged to the dread pirate.
RALEIGH, N.C. — A shipwreck off the North Carolina coast thought to be that of notorious pirate Blackbeard could be fully excavated in three years, officials working on the project said.
"That's really our target," Steve Claggett, the state archeologist, said Friday while discussing 10 years of research conducted since the shipwreck was found just off Atlantic Beach.
The ship ran aground in 1718, and some researchers think it was a French slave ship Blackbeard captured in 1717 and renamed Queen Anne's Revenge.
Officials said historical data and coral-covered artifacts recovered from the site – including 25 cannons, which experts said was an uncommonly large number to find on a ship in the region in the early 18th century ' remove doubt the wreckage belonged to Blackbeard.
Three university professors have challenged the findings. But officials working on the excavation said Friday that the more they find, the stronger their case becomes.
This is one of those academic disputes that will drag on for years. Unless they miraculously find the ship's pink slip or the archaeological equivalent, of course. (I noted an earlier story about the shipwreck here.) Here's the link to the museum that is sponsoring the exploration and a collection of links about the ship and the pirate. Another good source of links is here. Yo, ho, ho.
By chuck, Sunday, 4 March , 2007 @ 11:05 am
There is a story that one of my ancesters swam ashore from a pirate ship wrecked off the NC coast. I wonder if there is a connection? Not, mind you, that I have any idea if the story is true or not.
By Bleepless, Sunday, 4 March , 2007 @ 1:48 pm
This should help invigorate the upcoming Talk Like a Pirate Day.
By old_dawg, Sunday, 4 March , 2007 @ 8:28 pm
The real question is whether Blackbeard bought or sold carbon offsets from his ship. Either one would seem to confirm the case for him being a pirate.
By OldeForce, Monday, 5 March , 2007 @ 8:50 pm
Just check the VIN…