If you dig pirates and you're in the Denver area the National Geographic has an exhibit you'll wanna check out. It all ends August 21st, 2011 so you better hurry to cash in on the pirate booty that awaits you! Explore more than 200 artifacts recovered from the wreck of the Whydah -- the first fully authenticated pirate ship ever to be discovered in U.S. waters.
The Whydah, a real pirate ship that sank off the coast of Cape Cod nearly 300 years ago, was sank in a fierce storm on April 26, 1717 taking legendary pirate "Black Sam" Bellamy and the majority of his crew with it. Since it's been recovered you'll now be able to explore treasure chests of gold coins, jewelry, cannons, pistols, knives, and a life-size replica of the ship's stern that visitors can board! Arrrghhhh!
The Whydah started off as a slave ship when it was launched in 1715 from London. It was a three-masted ship of galley-style design, measuring 105 feet in length, rated at 300 tons of cargo, and could travel at speeds up to 13 knots (14.95 mph). In late February of 1717 the Whydah was cruising the Windward Passage between Cuba and Hispaniola when it was attacked by pirate "Black Sam" Bellamy.
(real pirate booty)
The wreck of the Whydah was rediscovered in 1984 by underwater explorer Barry Clifford (relying heavily on the 1717 map that Southack drew of the wreck's location). Now it's findings are on a tour of the US at exhibitions. It's in Denver now but if you miss it there you'll find it next up in New York.
Check out their cool website at: www.piratesexhibit.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.