Discovery of Historic Pirate Shipwrecks in Nassau
Researchers have announced the identification of the first shipwreck linked to pirates in Nassau, Bahamas—a region known for piracy during the late 17th century.
The New Providence Pirate Expedition, in collaboration with Wreckwatch TV, has located six shipwrecks in the surrounding waters, as reported by various news outlets.
Among the findings, researchers uncovered iron cannons, lead musket balls, sword sharpeners, hull plates, fittings, and cargo remnants at one site. At another location, they discovered a clay tobacco pipe featuring the coat of arms of the English royal family.
Three of these shipwrecks correspond to the so-called Golden Age of Piracy, which is generally recognized as lasting from the late 1600s through the 1730s.
This period is marked by rampant robbery at sea and in colonial ports, although historians may have differing views on the exact timeline. Pirates primarily operated in regions such as the Caribbean, the East Coast of the United States, and the Indian Ocean. Notable figures from this era include Captain Kidd, Blackbeard, and Bartholomew Roberts, along with female pirates like Anne Bonny and Mary Read, who targeted merchant and occasionally, armed treasure vessels. The decline of this golden age came as the Royal Navy and colonial authorities stepped up their efforts against piracy, resulting in numerous captures and executions of pirates.
Wreckwatch TV plans to showcase these discoveries in an upcoming documentary series. The expedition focused on locating the ship of Henry Avery, a notorious pirate.
Marine archaeologist Sean Kingsley, who co-led the expedition, commented on the discovery of a large burned wooden hull in Nassau Harbor, suggesting it might be linked to Avery’s ship. He stated, “While we can’t confirm anything definitively at this point, the location, date, and size all seem to fit. There’s still much more research required.”
The story continues, noting that much of Nassau Harbor’s submerged history has faced destruction since the 1960s due to dredging for cruise ship docking. Additionally, diving in the area is restricted due to heavy maritime traffic. This research effort, organized by the London-based Wreckwatch in alliance with the Bahamas Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation, has marked a significant step forward by receiving official permission to explore the remnants of piracy in the port.
