US/INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
QUEST FOR CAPTAIN MORGAN, HAITI
Having obtained permits for underwater exploration in and around Ile a Vache on the south coast of Haiti, preliminary surveys revealed that the beautiful reefs around this island not only abound with marine life, but are also home to numerous shipwrecks of historical and cultural significance.
Over sixty cannons—together with anchors, ships’ rigging and an array of other artifacts—have been counted within a few hundred yards on one reef. It will take years to identify the individual wrecks, but they are believed to be three vessels sunk in a 1669 hurricane as the famous buccaneer Henry Morgan was preparing to raid Panama.
One mushroom-shaped formation of coral fifty feet in diameter is the under-side of a shipwreck coated with a thin crust of coral. A test section revealed hundreds of blue, yellow and white trade beads, green bottles, pottery shards and musket balls.
Under the direction and supervision of Haitian government officials, Center personnel have also located, recorded, filmed, and retrieved artifacts from wrecks believed to be Morgan's Jamaica Merchant, the famous racing schooner Blue Nose, and a heavily armed early 19th century former US war ship.
Finally, a large subsurface anomaly, possibly Morgan’s flagship Oxford, was also located. This was a large ship, fully loaded for a major invasion, which accidentally exploded during a pirates’ celebration in 1668.
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©2008 Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation, Inc.
