Underwater archaeologists have found another cannon from the wreckage of what they believe was the flagship of the notorious pirate Blackbeard.

Historical records indicate Blackbeard had 40 guns on the French frigate he captured in 1717 and renamed Queen Anne's Revenge. Since 1996, when the wreckage of the ship was discovered in Beaufort Inlet, divers have found 22 at the site.

"We're pretty positive that we have cannon number 23," said project archaeologist Chris Southerly.

It is a large cannon that probably shot a 6-pound or 8-pound ball, Southerly said. Divers uncovered the cannon while excavating on the northwest side of shipwreck where they had not previously dug.

Divers also found a concretion with chain and part of the mast rigging, and a 9- to 10-inch-diameter cast iron kettle. A concretion is a mineral buildup usually found in rock.


http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/100904/nat_1009040075.shtml


Arrr

That's a cool story, if it turns out true.

I checked a book on shipwrecks out of the library last month, and it's amazing how many there are, just in the New World. It's a wonder there were any sailors or ships left to haul freight in those days.

See, this is why you dont rename a ship from the name it was christened with...arr, it be bad luck matey.

I wonder who is getting the salvage rights for the artifacts...*clears throat* It belongs in a museum!

As for the number of shipwrecks, they're everywhere. It doesnt help matters much that both world wars involved much action at sea...in Guam, there are actually two different shipwrecks at the same spot...a German merchant craft, and...something else. Its late. Im going to bed...