Seeking Booty, Archaeologists Dive to Blackbeard's Pirate Ship

[renfairephotog]

BEAUFORT, N.C. –  Archaeologists seeking ancient pirate booty are heading back to sea off North Carolina's coast -- a continuing effort to recover artifacts from the wreck believed to be Blackbeard's flagship.
Seeking Booty, Archaeologists Dive to Blackbeard's Pirate Ship

[Welsh Wench]

Thanks, RFP for a great article!

Pirates Magazine issue #11 did a fascinating--can't-put-it-down article on Blackbeard and the Queen Anne's Revenge. It was an in-depth look at the conservation lab and the steps they go through to remove the concretions.
These steps can take years.



Two cannons brought up in October 2007




Recovered from the wreckage

Mike Daniel, Intersal's Director of Operations, discovered the site on Thursday, November 21, 1996. Realizing that he and his crew had possibly found the QAR, and well aware of the potential historical importance of the wreck, Daniel halted diving operations less than one hour after they began. He knew of the archaeological necessity of maintaining site integrity and keeping disturbance to a minimum.

A dive was initiated and it was determined it was indeed the site of the Queen Anne's Revenge but it was agreed to postpone the operations till the following year because it was so late in the season.

[Anna Iram]

Always interesting to see the treasures that are brought up.  Another interesting facet to this discovery:

Shipwreck clues could clear Blackbeard of sinking his ship to swindle his crew

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/3628233/Shipwreck-clues-could-clear-Blackbeard-of-sinking-his-ship-to-swindle-his-crew.html

[DonaCatalina]

Edward Teach was an interesting character. I believe he was framed by the Englishmen who stood to profit by his death. Thanks for letting us know about this fascinating expedition.

[Anna Iram]

In case anyone missed it, there's a link at the bottom of RFP's link that takes you to the recovery team's Facebook page. Good reading. 

[Welsh Wench]

This article tells of the restoration project.

http://www.qaronline.org/conservation/LabReportApril09.htm

The stern post of the ship shows Roman numerals VI to indicate the distance of six feet to the bottom of the keel. The measurement is in early 1600's French calibration.
Which is consistent with French ship builiding and that gave the restorers even more proof this was the Queen Anne's Revenge.
Blackbeard took the French ship La Concorde and changed its name to Queen Anne's Revenge.

Empty wine bottles have been brought up.
Can you imagine what it is like to hold a wine bottle that may have been drunk by Blackbeard over 300 years ago?

I guess it really is true.
Dead men DO tell tales.