Divers find wreck thought to be famous 19th-century pirate ship that sank with hold full of treasure

Mailonline ^ | 8/9/2012 | Emma Reynolds

[wildbill]

A shipwreck discovered in Tonga is thought to be a famous pirate vessel that sank in the 19th century with a hold full of treasure.

Legend has it that the Port-au-Prince was attacked by warriors near the South Pacific archipelago in 1806 and most of its British crew massacred on the orders of King Finau 'Ulukalala II.

The British had captured the ship from the French and made into a privateer - meaning it had permission to attack and plunder boats belonging to rivals Spain and France.

[wildbill]

I’m hurt that my find isn’t worthy of general distribution. (SOB!)

[SunkenCiv]

Well, it’s *only* 19th century. If I thought it were to be used as a plot point in “National Treasure 3”, uh, I’d still probably not use it, but I’m glad you posted it, regardless.

Or, for the hard of hearing, ear regardless.

[wildbill]

I understand the lack of serious antiquity and pizazz.

How can pirates, sunken treasure, massacre by bloodthirsty natives, islands in the South Seas, and cabin boy turned native prince (or ponce) possibly compete in reader interest with holes in Neanderthal jawbone fossils?

AAARRRGH! ;-)

[SunkenCiv]

The trick is to find topics with a lot of pizazz. ;')

• Scientists: Bison in Illinois earlier (aren't you relieved?)

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[SunkenCiv]

Update.

additional from the Tonga keyword:

• World's 'oldest' tattooing kit discovered in a box years after it was thought to be lost [03/10/2019]
• New Study Reveals First Polynesians Arrived in Tonga around 826 BC [11/16/2012]
• Rock art find highlights ancient east-west Polynesia links [02/04/2009]
• Rat DNA Clues To Sea Migration [06/08/2004]