Posted on 08/07/2011 10:14:01 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
A group of US archaeologists may have uncovered a section of hull and coral-covered chests that privateer Henry Morgan lost during his 1671 raid of Panama.
The team from Texas State University is led by underwater archaeologist Frederick Hanselmann. He led last year's discovery of cannons at the mouth of the Chagres River that may also have belonged to five ships Morgan is believed to have lost.
The team have been working slowly to uncover the wreckage of the ship that has been buried in the sand.
"When we get to an archaeological site, like a shipwreck that has a lot of sand cover, we're only able to open a little bit with each dive. The little bit on each dive is like a little minor discovery and there's a little bit of excitement because you never know what you may uncover," explained Bert Ho, project survey archaeologist from Texas State University.
The archaeologists say their findings include a 52-foot-by-22-foot (16-metre-by-7-metre) starboard side of a wooden ship, unopened cargo boxes and chests encrusted in coral that were buried deep beneath a think layer of sand and mud.
Panama's Caribbean has long drawn treasure hunters and much of Morgan's lost bounty has likely been plundered. Hanselmann is leading efforts to conserve the remaining traces of Morgan's famous pillage of Panama.
Hanselmann says further research will be carried out in order to positively identify this as one of Captain Morgan's lost ships.
This discovery expedition, carried out in July 2011, was made possible through a grant from the Captain Morgan Rum brand after initial funding fell through.
Additionally, volunteer time and resources were donated from the National Park Service's Submerged Resources Center and NOAA/UNC-Wilmington's Aquarius Reef Base.
(Excerpt) Read more at 3news.co.nz ...
I didn’t know Henry Morgan was that old. He was on Dragnet and Mash right?
Is this Captain Henry Morgan's ship hull? -- August 3, 2011 -- Archaeologists from Texas State University believe they have uncovered a ship found near the site where Welsh Admiral Sir Henry Morgan's ships wrecked in 1671. The infamous privateer -- widely known as Captain Morgan -- was on his way to Panama City with his men. The researchers say they might have found a section of the hull as well as cargo boxes and coral-covered chests. Trystan Young reports.
His real name is Henry Morgan, but another performer (the only thing I remember him in was one of the black and white game shows) had the name Henry Morgan (that guy’s real name was thought too foreign sounding for US audiences), so his stage name is Harry Morgan. I think he’s from Muskegon Michigan.
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| GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach | |
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Shiver me timbers. |
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Henry Morgan's 1671 ship hull and chests rediscoveredDRAT! Too bad it's not 'Talk Like A Pirate Day'!
Would have been perfect on Sept 19th
The keyword’s in place, regardless. :’)
Is that the Henry Morgan in Steinbecks Cup of Gold?
I saw a number of old cannon in the ocean at the mouth of the Chagras, from the top of Fort San Lorenzo, but I thought they were from the fort. There were lots of stories of big sharks hanging around the mouth of the river, but I never saw any.
Throckmorten should be there!
ARRRGGGH, Mate. I allus talk and act as a pirate and ye’d all better set yere course to do the same when ye speak to me.
Else them that dies will be the lucky ones.
Thank you for the post and ping, sweet man. And honestly, I really wasn’t threatening you. You understand, right?
About how long is the follow-up on something like this? How long does it usually take to open chests like this, and what is the probability of seeing the contents?
I love this stuff.
Won't be too long.
They are just waiting for the arrival of a special tool to open the chests...
Arrrgh! Ay ay capt’n! ;-)
Oops, and d’oh! Had never heard of it:
http://booklit.com/blog/2007/10/14/john-steinbeck-cup-of-gold/
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