WhydahGallys

The Whydah Gally was a slave ship that became a pirate ship in the early 18th century. Originally built as a merchant vessel in England in 1715, it was captured by the notorious pirate captain "Black Sam" Bellamy in 1717. Bellamy rechristened the ship the Whydah Gally and it became his flagship. The vessel was heavily armed and reportedly carried a vast treasure.

Under Bellamy's command, the Whydah Gally sailed the Caribbean and the Atlantic coast of North America, plundering numerous ships. Its reign was short-lived, however. In February 1717, the Whydah Gally was caught in a powerful hurricane off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The storm overwhelmed the ship, causing it to sink. Only two of the estimated 146 crew members survived.

The wreck of the Whydah Gally lay undiscovered for over 250 years. In 1984, marine explorer Barry Clifford located the wreck. The subsequent excavation yielded a significant amount of artifacts, including cannons, coins, personal belongings, and even human remains, providing invaluable insights into pirate life and the ship itself. The discovery of the Whydah Gally is considered one of the most important pirate treasure finds in history.