Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Did Blackbeard Sink His Ship On Purpose?

There has been talk in the past that the dear old Pirate ran the Queen Anne's Revenge aground off North Carolina on purpose to swindle the crew of their rightful share of the plunder.

Perhaps he didn't according to marine archaeologists who have been diving on the wreckage. What they have found is that effort was made to get the ship off the sandbar. Piles of ballast were found away from the ship as well as cannons and anchors normally found at the front of the vessel, had been moved midship. This would eb an effort to lighten the bow so it would float off.

In addition, an anchor was found 450 feet away where there is a chance that it was being used as a winch.

Chris Southerby, chief archaeologist said, "If Blackbeard had intended to sink the ship on purpose, this seems like an awful lot of labour and effort to make it look good to the crew...."

From Dec. 8th London News Net.

Did he or Didn't He? Only His Beard Knew. --Cooter

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