On Wednesday, October 26, 2011, an artifact was retrieved off the North Carolina coast. This is not just any old rusted relic. It is a 2,000-pound cannon that is believed to come from Blackbeard the Pirate’s flagship, Queen Anne’s Revenge. This is the 13th cannon salvaged from the shipwreck. Roughly 280,000 other artifacts, such as small weapons, dishes, medical supplies, and jewelry have also been recovered.
Blackbeard lives on as more is found from this shipwreck, which many scholars believe may have been intentional! The excavation began in 1996 and will hopefully be completed by 2013. The delays have been due to weather and funding. It takes $100,000 – $200,000 each year to be able to recover and preserve artifacts from the shipwreck. And there is a narrow window of opportunity due to a six-month hurricane season.
Artifacts have been lent out for traveling exhibits, as well as being permanently displayed at the N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort, NC. But don’t count on seeing this cannon any time soon. It will take as long as five years to clean and prepare it for exhibition!
This shipwreck is an important discovery for many reasons, including the fact that Blackbeard was one of the most infamous pirates of the Golden Age of Piracy. For more information on the legendary Blackbeard, this shipwreck, or piracy in general, see All About Piracy and other Pirate Pages on my website or visit: http://www.qaronline.org/, www.ncmaritimemuseums.comm/beaufort, or www.friendsofqar.org
Traveling Exhibit (Greensboro Historical Museum) 2011
Leave a Reply