Pirate swords and weapons

Rick · 24th July 2015, 03:12 PM

He moved the Whydah museum out of Provincetown and I haven't kept track of where the artifacts are now .
Controversy seems to follow him .

M ELEY · 25th July 2015, 04:45 AM

Wow! I wasn't aware of that. Yes, controversial, but still a fascinating fellow. Kind of like a pirate, eh?

Rick · 25th July 2015, 06:24 AM

What can I say, but aarrr .

M ELEY · 25th July 2015, 08:11 AM

Jim McDougall · 27th July 2015, 06:24 AM

Gav,
Thank you for reviving this thread, it doesn't seem that long ago!
It's always great to see these topics brought current when new material comes up.......in this case in the form of an ingot!

As Rick notes........this aint no ballast!!!
Why would a block of ballast have assayers stamps, and all the other pertinent markings and devices placed on precious metal ingots??
I think the only issue is how to prove that this ingot belonged to Kidd's Adventure Galley, when there were a good number of other pirate vessels frequenting Isle Sainte Marie.

The kinds of marks in groupings correspond to many of those found on the Atocha (1622) ingots by Mel Fisher's group.

It sure sounds like the UNESCO folks have problems with Mr. Clifford, but who knows what the circumstances are, and it seems more than unlikely that he would contrive these findings given his reputation.
It would appear that most of these finds and maritime discoveries end up with far more political strife than anything comparable on terra firma.

Congratulations to our own resident 'Brother of the Sea' on the recent publication of his long awaited novel!!! Bravo Cap'n Mark!!!

Rick · 27th July 2015, 01:51 PM

Ships of that era were ballasted with stone for the most part .
The marks could possibly have been added later and I suppose forensic archaeology might be able to reveal such .
I would not like to cast aspersions on those involved in its recovery .

Maybe it could be a pig of lead which would be melted and used for small arms shot ?

Jim McDougall · 27th July 2015, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Ships of that era were ballasted with stone for the most part .
The marks could possibly have been added later and I suppose forensic archaeology might be able to reveal such .
I would not like to cast aspersions on those involved in its recovery .

Maybe it could be a pig of lead which would be melted and used for small arms shot ?

Thanks Rick,
It does seem of course that ballast was usually of some sort of disposable commodity, which could be exchanged for the weight of cargo on return trip. I can see large blocks of lead used for shot etc. but again, why would assay, owners marks and the tax stamps be there (there was no 'Royal fifth' on lead was there?).
I agree, for all Mr. Clifford has done in adding so much to the wealth of history and artifacts recovered, it seems unfortunate that he should be discredited by these politically charged organizations.
All the best
Jim

24th July 2015, 03:12 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	He moved the Whydah museum out of Provincetown and I haven't kept track of where the artifacts are now . Controversy seems to follow him .

25th July 2015, 04:45 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	Wow! I wasn't aware of that. Yes, controversial, but still a fascinating fellow. Kind of like a pirate, eh?

25th July 2015, 06:24 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	What can I say, but aarrr .

25th July 2015, 08:11 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184

27th July 2015, 06:24 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,453	Gav, Thank you for reviving this thread, it doesn't seem that long ago! It's always great to see these topics brought current when new material comes up.......in this case in the form of an ingot! As Rick notes........this aint no ballast!!! Why would a block of ballast have assayers stamps, and all the other pertinent markings and devices placed on precious metal ingots?? I think the only issue is how to prove that this ingot belonged to Kidd's Adventure Galley, when there were a good number of other pirate vessels frequenting Isle Sainte Marie. The kinds of marks in groupings correspond to many of those found on the Atocha (1622) ingots by Mel Fisher's group. It sure sounds like the UNESCO folks have problems with Mr. Clifford, but who knows what the circumstances are, and it seems more than unlikely that he would contrive these findings given his reputation. It would appear that most of these finds and maritime discoveries end up with far more political strife than anything comparable on terra firma. Congratulations to our own resident 'Brother of the Sea' on the recent publication of his long awaited novel!!! Bravo Cap'n Mark!!!

27th July 2015, 01:51 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Ships of that era were ballasted with stone for the most part . The marks could possibly have been added later and I suppose forensic archaeology might be able to reveal such . I would not like to cast aspersions on those involved in its recovery . Maybe it could be a pig of lead which would be melted and used for small arms shot ?