Boy Pirate

The pirate ship Whydah sank in a storm off the Massachusetts coast in 1717. When it was discovered by underwater archaeologists in 1984, it was the first authenticated wreck of a pirate ship ever found. The wreck has been the focus on an on-going research project since its discovery, with over 100,000 artifacts recovered that are preserved and studied in a dedicated museum in Provincetown.

This week an interesting story emerged about a member of the Whydah's crew. In November, 1716, the Whydah was preying on ships in the Caribbean and captured the sloop Bonetta. In a depostion filed by the Bonetta's captain, he said that the pirates held his ship for two weeks, stealing all the valuables, but finally setting them free. Among his passengers was a 9 year old boy named John King, who was accompanying his mother on the voyage. When the Bonetta was released, John King decided to stay with the pirates. In fact, the deposition says he threatened to kill himself if his mother or the Bonetta's crew tried to keep him aboard. Very striking.

As sometimes happens in archaeology, the reanalysis of material recovered years before has added a dimension to the John King story. Recently, a child's fibula (shinbone), a small silk stocking, and a child's shoe that were recovered from the Whydah 20 years ago, were identified as fitting with John King's age and social background. King's pirate adventure only lasted a few months.

Here's a link to the Expedition Whydah website.