Searching For Pirate Ships In The Nat'l Archives

[Ellsworth Boyd]

Searching For Pirate Ships In The National Archives



In May, 2009, I joined Capt. Carl “Fizz” Fismer—one of our present day’s foremost treasure salvors—in a time capsule that took us aboard several venerable schooners in search of something out-of-the-ordinary. We had quite an adventure, the salty old dog and I—the senior member of this two-man crew—and if we had dropped anchor one day later, we might have run into President O’Bama who visited the same place where we were and gave an impromptu speech!

Like the White Rabbit said to the King in Alice-In-Wonderland, “Where shall I begin?”

“ Begin at the beginning,” the King said gravely, and go on ‘till you come to the end: then stop.”

In the beginning, Capt. Fizz and I had only corresponded, exchanging e-mails about shipwrecks, treasure discovery hearsay and risqué jokes. We had never met. Our chance encounter came when Fizz came to Washington, DC, from his home in Tavenier Key, Florida, and suggested I drive over from my home in White Hall, Maryland, and join him on a “special project.” Fizz, a veteran of 26 jumps with the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division, also wanted to visit the Vietnam Memorial (Veterans’ Day was coming up) which he had never seen.

I agreed, and left home on a weekday, threading my way through traffic on the Baltimore and Capitol Beltways for nearly two hours, eager to see what Fizz had up his sleeve. When I arrived, he was waiting at the entrance to the recently constructed 2000-room Gaylord Hotel, an architectural wonder in the spectacular new National Harbor Resort overlooking the Potomac River.

The venerable Captain—with 35 years in the treasure salvage business—looked just like his photo. He had a close-cropped beard, piercing blue eyes and a wry grin. (Check him out on his website: Spanishmaintreasure.com and while you’re there check out his treasures too). After getting lost three times—a common occurrence in our nation’s capitol—we finally found an underground parking garage a couple of blocks from our destination: 700 Pennsylvania Ave. We were going to the National Archives to search for sunken pirate ships of the 19th century!


Even though the Golden Age of piracy (1650-1725) was over, lawlessness on the high seas continued as maverick privateers preyed upon heavily-laden merchant vessels leaving ports in New England, the Carolinas, Florida and the West Indies. The plunderers, some of them Corsairs—Mediterranean pirates from the Barbary Coast—left Africa to engage ships off our coasts. But they got more than they bargained for from the West Indies Squadron, a fleet of U.S. Navy vessels assigned in 1821 to capture or sink pirate ships roaming our shores. Fizz and I sought records of these losses, possibly unreported in the media and lost by the Navy, but perhaps recorded in the Captain’s logs. Fizz had the names of three West Indies Squadron vessels that had been based out of Key West, Florida, and a couple of others that had patrolled further north. Our voyage was about to begin.

It was an exciting moment. We watched as one of the archivists pushed a cart packed with dozens of dull gray boxes up to our table and gently plunked two of them down in front of us. We were about to open a time capsule and plunge into buccaneer days, a scene that most of us today can barely conjure. The logbooks, elongated and heavy, contained detailed daily records from the captains who commanded the three vessels we were researching. There were dozens of logs and scores of captains throughout the years. Some of the writings, small and scripted, were painstaking to interpret while others were easy to read. Mundane tasks, plotted courses and daily commands were all logged in. Some of the logs recorded “sightings.”

“The lookout spied a ship in the distance. My scope picked up full sail, no flag. No chase…we dare not leave the coast unprotected.”

Time passed quickly and our voyages ended. Did Fizz and I find any sunken pirate ships? I’ve already disclosed too much. I can’t say anything more. Did we get lost returning to the hotel? Of course! But it didn’t matter. We still had our “sea legs” and were unwinding from some rough waters and responsible commands.”

Ellsworth Boyd, Wreckmaster

[Dive Nevis]

Your search for pirate ships was fascinating. I didn't realize pirate ships were still sailing as late as 1821. How long did they continue to sail along our coasts?

Thank you!

[Ellsworth Boyd]

Yes! I too was surprised that the pirates were still prowling our coasts well into the 1800s. They continued until approximately 1835 as the U.S. launched more naval vessels that either captured or sank most of the remaining pirate ships.
Ellsworth Boyd Wreckmaster

[divepro9]

Your article on the pirate ships was very interesting! What did the pirate ships carry that would make them desirable discoveries?

[Ellsworth Boyd]

Pirate ships often carried treasure: gold, silver, jewels, ivory and spices, all spoils from merchant vessels they plundered. The pirates didn't always head for shore after waylaying a vessel and sacking the cargo holds. The greedy buccaneers accumulated their treasure and often went for "just one more" conquest before headng for a neutral port or deserted island to divide their bounty, drink and carouse. They liked to gamble and that's why you might discover a coin in the sand on an island that's uninhabited or close to being uninhabited, with no records of any ships beng sunk offshore. These were pirate hideouts. Ellsworth Boyd, Wreckmaster

[chessiedive]

I thought that the National Archives in Washington had been incorporated with the new one in College Park, MD. Evidently I was wrong?

[Ellsworth Boyd]

Interesting that you mentioned this. In the beginning, I thought that Fizz and I would be going to College Park, MD. Fortunately, I called first. When the beautiful new facility at College Park was opened, not long ago, I thought everything would be transferred there. When I called, an archivist told me that historical documents, records etc. AFTER WWII was housed in College Park and everything before that time period is still in the Washington, DC facility. I'm glad I discovered this before we set out on our quest. Ellsworth Boyd Wreckmaster

[captainfizz]

Ells, As usual your writing is great. Of course you been at it a really, really long time. I was going to field some questions but you beat me to it. I do have a tid bit. As near as I could figure the Pirate era of the 1800'S ended about 1835. We did find a wreck that had an engine in it and Local Lore says it was the "Last Pirate Vessel" sounds like a movie. Anyway a Pirate with an engine. Sounds unbelieveable, but I think Fulton ran the first steam engine in a boat somewhere around early 1800'S maybe 1810 or 12. If any of your readers know about this I hope they enlighten us. Thanks again for the story. Any P.R. is good.

[Ellsworth Boyd]

Thanks for responding! Very interesting! You remain so low-key and modest, I don't think many readers realize what you've accomplished in more than 35 years of treasure salvage and shipwreck discovery. They can learn more at: spanishmaintreasure.com. The "Last Pirate Vessel" sounds like it would make a great story. Imagine, a pirate ship from the early days with an engine! Perhaps a viewer who has knowledge of early steam engines and navigation can shed some light on this. Thanks again. Ellsworth Boyd, Wreckmaster

P.S.--Sometime, if you would like to, tell us about your dives on the Alligator. I think viewers would find this quite interesting.

[captainfizz]

About the U.S.S Alligator I like everyone else thought it was the ballast mound near Alligator Lighthouse. In fact a friend of mine found a Spanish Portrait coin there. It was a Two Real, early 1800'S. The real remains of the Alligator is quite a distance from the light. My Mentor, and I can't his name here, showed it to me. The Ship ran aground and they could not save her so it was blown up. We have recovered many bronze spike which are twisted in strange ways because of the explosion. There were other items recovered, and I would be happy to tell you, but the Navy gets upset because they claim they own them. The Supreme Court said the Government owns everything. Not surprising. The bronze spikes are all over the Keys, and have a good story. They were made in Paul Reveres foundry. He had the contract to supply material for any Navy Ship built in Boston Harbor. The Alligator was built in 1820 I think. Paul died in 1818, I think. His Sons were running the place, I hope. I think its typical that our Government only harrass'es us, and divers in other countries where U.S. Ships have gone to the bottom can pick all they want. Don't get me started there. happy and safe diving, Fizz