Latest news with #CenterforHistoricShipwreckPreservation
DW
20-07-2025
- DW
Could a newly identified wreck lead to lost pirate treasure? – DW – 07/20/2025
Archaeologists believe that they have found the 300-year-old wreck of the last ship captured by a notorious pirate known as La Buse. But the whereabouts of its treasures remain a mystery. A vital piece of a 300-year-old mystery surrounding a pirate's treasure in the Indian Ocean may have been discovered. Archaeologists believe that they have identified the wreck of the (), a Portuguese warship that was captured off the island of Reunion in 1721. The ship had been en route to Lisbon, fully laden with treasures from Goa and the Portuguese colonies on the west coast of India. On the way, the warship, weighing more than 700 tons, was badly damaged in a storm. To avoid capsizing, the crew jettisoned some of the ship's cannons, making the ship easy prey for the French pirate Olivier Levasseur, known as La Buse (The Buzzard). Huge quantities of gold, silver, pearls, diamonds and other valuables such as fine textiles and spices are said to have been on board. According to Smithsonian Magazine, the trove would be worth an estimated $138 million (€119 million) today. The high value of these items was likely representative of the ship's important passengers: Portuguese Viceroy Luis Carlos Inacio Xavier de Meneses, and the Archbishop of Goa, Sebastiao de Andrade Pessanha, who were taken hostage. The viceroy was later released for ransom, while around 200 slaves from Mozambique and the crew were presumably released on the island of Reunion. The pirates then made off with their magnificent booty towards Madagascar, off the southeastern coast of Africa. They are thought to have hidden on the small island of Nosy Boraha, called Ile Sainte-Marie at the time. The island was an ideal hideout for pirates. Around 60 kilometers long and five wide, and with a natural harbor, it was relatively close to the popular trade route between Europe and Asia, but at a safe remove from colonial control. And Nosy Boraha is exactly where Brandon Clifford and Mark Agostini from the Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation in Massachusetts believe they found the wreck of the Nossa Senhora do Cabo, hidden under silt and sand. Clifford and Angostini described their findings in the June issue of magazine. It took 16 years for their team to identify the wreck. They analyzed the ship's construction and historical records to compare parts of the wreck and artifacts that were uncovered. Clifford's social media channels offer impressions of this painstaking work, such as the example below, showing the team's exploration of the slave ship , which was captured by pirates in 1717. In all, the archaeologists lifted around 3,300 artifacts from the seafloor, including gold coins and valuable porcelain, as well as sacred objects made of ivory and wood, such as a statue of the Virgin Mary and a crucifix. According to the team, there are between 7 and 10 wrecks near the island of Ile Sainte-Marie, which suggests the treasure hunt will continue. La Buse's booty, however, remains the biggest mystery. It is known that the pirate sailed from Ile Sainte-Marie towards the Seychelles, where he hid for around eight years. After turning down an offer of amnesty because he didn't want to return the treasure, he was finally found, handed over to the French, and taken in chains to the island of Bourbon, now called Reunion. Shortly before his execution, La Buse is said to have told his guards: "With what I have hidden here, I could buy this whole island." Legend has it that the pirate threw a note with a cryptogram into the crowd, saying: "My treasure to the one who understands this!" As is so often the case with pirate stories, many legends surround the actual events. The only thing that is certain is that adventurers have searched in vain for the fabled treasure for some 300 years. Whether the cryptogram was actually written by La Buse also remains unclear. Although it has now been more or less deciphered, no one has yet been able to correctly interpret the enigmatic content. Does the text describe a kind of star compass? Does it describe prominent landmarks? The guesswork continues. With the treasure of La Buse still lost to this day, somewhere between the Seychelles, Reunion Island, Mauritius, Mayotte, Rodrigues and Sainte-Marie, the pirate's mystery is likely to live on.
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Sunken pirate shipwreck could help solve mystery of £100million lost treasure
New research has claimed a sunken ship off the coast of Madagascar could be the long-lost Portuguese vessell the Archbishop of Goa and hold the key to a £110million treasure A sunken ship off the coast of Madagascar could finally solve one of history's greatest pirate mysteries, and unlock a jaw-dropping £110 million hoard of lost treasure. Hidden for more than 300 years beneath the waves near the island of Île Sainte-Marie, the wreck is now believed to be the long-lost Portuguese galleon Nossa Senhora do Cabo, which was captured in 1721 by feared pirates Olivier Levasseur and his partner-in-plunder John Taylor. In a bombshell new study, experts from the Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation say this could be the key to tracking down one of the richest pirate plunders of all time. On board the Portuguese viceroy, the Archbishop of Goa, there were 200 slaves and a cargo of gold, silver, diamonds, pearls, silks, and religious artefacts. Lead researcher Brandon Clifford said: 'This wasn't just a pirate raid – it was a hijack of royal proportions.' The Cabo had been sailing from India to Portugal when a fierce storm near the Cape of Good Hope left it limping toward safety. But before repairs could be finished, Levasseur and Taylor pounced. After a short battle, the pirates hauled their prize to the pirate haven of Nosy Boraha, which was a notorious hideout once ruled by the likes of Captain Kidd and Henry Avery. On the island, the ship was stripped off all the treasure on board, and according to researchers, there were "110 diamonds, 250 emeralds, 20 rubies, 20 sapphires," along with coins, bars of precious metals and sacred Christian artefacts were seized. One legendary item, the Flaming Cross of Goa, which is said to be encrusted with jewels and so massive it took three men to lift, allegedly went straight into La Buse's personal stash, reports. Researchers have claimed Levasseur didn't stay lucky for long and after retiring to the island, he was eventually caught and hanged in 1729. But before his execution, legend says he hurled a cryptic note into the crowd. Now, new underwater surveys using sonar and seabed scans may finally be closing in on the fabled loot. A wreck matching the dimensions of an 18th-century Portuguese galleon has been found lying beneath the remains of an old pirate fort. Among the haul was Chinese porcelain, ivory, timber carvings and 13 gold coins. But it's the religious items that have raised eyebrows: a Madonna statue, an ivory Jesus, and a crucifix topper inscribed 'INRI'. Researchers say these match the kind of Catholic symbols carried by high-ranking clergy – like the Archbishop of Goa, who was onboard when the Cabo was seized. A report issued by those behind he study says: 'There's strong evidence this wasn't just another pirate ship – but a holy treasure ship that fell into pirate hands." Levasseur had renamed the captured vessel Victorieux, which is French for 'Victorious', and used it as his flagship. But its final fate has been debated for centuries, with some claiming it had wrecked elsewhere and others claiming the ship was deliberately sunk. Now, the team's findings suggest the Cabo was abandoned and possibly burned at Île Sainte-Marie after her legendary journey. With up to ten wrecks scattered around the pirate island, it's a race to see which – if any – holds the infamous treasure. But as the Mirror has learned, if that golden cross is ever found, it may confirm that the Cabo was indeed the ship that sparked one of piracy's greatest legends.
Metro
11-07-2025
- General
- Metro
Lost 300-year-old ship carrying £101,000,000 worth of treasure discovered
Archaeologists have discovered a 300-year-old shipwreck with a hoard of treasure, but the fate of the 200 slaves on board remains unknown. The Portuguese ship which is believed to be the Nossa Senhora do Cabo fell victim to pirates in 1721 off the coast of Madagascar. It was transporting around 200 slaves and cargo from Goa, India, to Lisbon when it became involved in what is considered one of the most infamous pirate raids in history on the Portuguese empire. But after 16 years of investigation, researchers at the Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation found the wreck in Ambodifotatra Bay, near the island of Nosy Boraha. More than 3,300 artefacts have since been pulled from the site, which includes religious icons, pearls and treasure chests. An ivory plaque was also discovered with gold letters reading 'INRI', which is a Latin abbreviation for 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews'. Researchers Brandon A. Clifford and Mark R. Agostini from Brown University who led the research said the haul is 'eyewatering treasure, even by pirate standards'. The haul could be worth £108 million in today's currency. Enslaved people who were forced to travel on the route were then made to work in ports and mines throughout the Portuguese Empire. Ships through the key route between India and Europe were often prime targets for pirates. Pirates would also sell enslaved people for a profit. It comes after Captain Cook's missing ship, the HMS Endeavour, was found after 250 years. For two centuries this ship has been lost, but now the wreck has been found in Newport Harbour, Rhode Island. The finding of the ship was announced in a report by the Australian National Maritime Museum. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page.
The Irish Sun
10-07-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Lost 300-year-old ship carrying £101M worth of treasure sunk in pirate raid is FOUND off the coast of Madagascar
ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered a 300-year-old shipwreck laden with treasure worth over £101 million. The ship - believed to be the Nossa Senhora do Cabo - was sunk by pirates off Madagascar in 1721 during one of the most infamous raids in history. Advertisement 7 The sunken Nossa Senhora do Cabo's lower hull captured in a photomosaic Credit: Jam Press/Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation 7 Researchers prepare for a dive off the coast of Madagascar, where the shipwreck was discovered Credit: Jam Press/Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation 7 Among the 3,300 artefacts recovered from the wreck are pottery fragments Credit: Jam Press/Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation The Portuguese vessel was transporting cargo from Goa, India, to Lisbon, Portugal, when it was raided. The treasure ship is believed to have been attacked on April 8, 1721, by pirates led by Captain Olivier "The Buzzard" Levasseur, during what historians call the Golden Age of Piracy. The raid became one of the most notorious of the era due to its staggering plunder - thought to be one of the richest pirate hauls in history. An estimated 200 enslaved people were also onboard at the time, and their fate remains unknown. Advertisement Read more world news The Nossa Senhora do Cabo was a heavily armed, state-owned carrack, making its capture all the more humiliating for the Portuguese Empire. After 16 years of investigation, researchers at the Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation found the wreck in Ambodifotatra Bay, near the island of Nosy Boraha, off Madagascar's northeast coast. More than 3,300 artefacts were pulled from the site, including religious figurines, gold ingots, pearls and treasure-filled chests. One ivory plaque is inscribed with gold letters reading 'INRI', the Latin abbreviation for "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum" - meaning 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews', as recorded in the Roman gospels. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Brandon A. Clifford and Mark R. Agostini, researchers from Brown University behind the discovery, described the haul as "an eyewatering treasure, even by pirate standards". They estimate the cargo alone could be worth more than £108 million in today's currency. 7 Divers uncover shipwreck of Glasgow vessel almost 140 years after it vanished without trace During the period that the Nossa Senhora do Cabo sailed, Portugal controlled key trade routes between India and Europe, transporting valuable goods from its colonies back to the Portuguese mainland. Advertisement Besides carrying spices and precious stones, the ship also transported enslaved people, who were forced to work in ports and mines throughout the empire. Because of their material and human cargo, ships bound for Europe were prime targets for pirates, who could sell both goods and enslaved people for huge profit. 7 Ivory inscribed with the letters 'INRI' (Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum) Credit: Jam Press/Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation 7 A Madonna statue recovered from the 1721 shipwreck Credit: Jam Press/Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation Advertisement The discovery comes as researchers say they found a The San Jose, which was sunk by the British in 1708, was long thought to be lost beneath the Caribbean waters. But academics in Colombia believe that a wreck found near Baru Island in 2015 is in fact the long-lost galleon. An Advertisement Among the items recovered were silver coins minted in Lima in 1707, Chinese porcelain from the Kangxi period and cannon inscriptions dating back to 1665. 7 Site plan of the Nossa Senhora Do Cabo shipwreck excavation Credit: Jam Press/Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation
Scottish Sun
10-07-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Lost 300-year-old ship carrying £101M worth of treasure sunk in pirate raid is FOUND off the coast of Madagascar
The ship was raided during a period known as the Golden Age of Piracy ON THE BOTTOM Lost 300-year-old ship carrying £101M worth of treasure sunk in pirate raid is FOUND off the coast of Madagascar ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered a 300-year-old shipwreck laden with treasure worth over £101 million. The ship - believed to be the Nossa Senhora do Cabo - was sunk by pirates off Madagascar in 1721 during one of the most infamous raids in history. 7 The sunken Nossa Senhora do Cabo's lower hull captured in a photomosaic Credit: Jam Press/Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation 7 Researchers prepare for a dive off the coast of Madagascar, where the shipwreck was discovered Credit: Jam Press/Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation 7 Among the 3,300 artefacts recovered from the wreck are pottery fragments Credit: Jam Press/Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation The Portuguese vessel was transporting cargo from Goa, India, to Lisbon, Portugal, when it was raided. The treasure ship is believed to have been attacked on April 8, 1721, by pirates led by Captain Olivier "The Buzzard" Levasseur, during what historians call the Golden Age of Piracy. The raid became one of the most notorious of the era due to its staggering plunder - thought to be one of the richest pirate hauls in history. An estimated 200 enslaved people were also onboard at the time, and their fate remains unknown. Read more world news ANCIENT FIND Lost city from 3,500-years-ago home to the Americas' oldest civilization found The Nossa Senhora do Cabo was a heavily armed, state-owned carrack, making its capture all the more humiliating for the Portuguese Empire. After 16 years of investigation, researchers at the Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation found the wreck in Ambodifotatra Bay, near the island of Nosy Boraha, off Madagascar's northeast coast. More than 3,300 artefacts were pulled from the site, including religious figurines, gold ingots, pearls and treasure-filled chests. One ivory plaque is inscribed with gold letters reading 'INRI', the Latin abbreviation for "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum" - meaning 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews', as recorded in the Roman gospels. Brandon A. Clifford and Mark R. Agostini, researchers from Brown University behind the discovery, described the haul as "an eyewatering treasure, even by pirate standards". They estimate the cargo alone could be worth more than £108 million in today's currency. 7 Divers uncover shipwreck of Glasgow vessel almost 140 years after it vanished without trace During the period that the Nossa Senhora do Cabo sailed, Portugal controlled key trade routes between India and Europe, transporting valuable goods from its colonies back to the Portuguese mainland. Besides carrying spices and precious stones, the ship also transported enslaved people, who were forced to work on plantations, in ports and in mines throughout the empire. Because of their material and human cargo, ships bound for Europe were prime targets for pirates, who could sell both goods and enslaved people for huge profit. 7 Ivory inscribed with the letters 'INRI' (Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum) Credit: Jam Press/Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation 7 A Madonna statue recovered from the 1721 shipwreck Credit: Jam Press/Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation The discovery comes as researchers say they found a centuries-old Spanish galleon stacked with a £16bn treasure trove. The San Jose, which was sunk by the British in 1708, was long thought to be lost beneath the Caribbean waters. But academics in Colombia believe that a wreck found near Baru Island in 2015 is in fact the long-lost galleon. An underwater drone mission a decade ago captured images of the cargo scattered in and around the shipwreck. Among the items recovered were silver coins minted in Lima in 1707, Chinese porcelain from the Kangxi period and cannon inscriptions dating back to 1665.
