Pirate swords and weapons

M ELEY · 24th July 2015, 07:07 AM

Well, that explains why Mr. Clifford didn't get back to me! I contacted him via the Whydah Museum several months ago about a blurb for my book. He contacted me back and said he'd do it!! I was blown away and very happy (I've read all of his accounts on the exploration of the Whydah, his book 'The Lost Fleet' being an exceptional read) and was excited he would be saying something about the book. Unfortunately, he never followed up and my publisher didn't wait for a reply....sigh. I've heard he was heavily criticized for the way he retrieved the ingot off Madagascar. Some uppity archaeologists didn't like the way he did the dive, I suppose.

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 ?

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24th July 2015, 07:07 AM	#1
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,152	Well, that explains why Mr. Clifford didn't get back to me! I contacted him via the Whydah Museum several months ago about a blurb for my book. He contacted me back and said he'd do it!! I was blown away and very happy (I've read all of his accounts on the exploration of the Whydah, his book 'The Lost Fleet' being an exceptional read) and was excited he would be saying something about the book. Unfortunately, he never followed up and my publisher didn't wait for a reply....sigh. I've heard he was heavily criticized for the way he retrieved the ingot off Madagascar. Some uppity archaeologists didn't like the way he did the dive, I suppose.

24th July 2015, 03:12 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	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	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,152	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	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	What can I say, but aarrr .

25th July 2015, 08:11 AM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,152

27th July 2015, 06:24 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,275	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	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	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 ?