Ahoy Mateys! Did you know that Salem was one of the most important ports of call in the United States? This historic walking tour dives deep into early American maritime history discovering trade, trade routes, privateers, slavery, and the pirates that plundered from everyone. From the far reaches of the ocean port down to to the tall ships that made these voyages. We discuss all of it. Explore Salem’s own Derby Wharf, learn about the men that risked their lives faring the world’s oceans and the men that profited from all of it. Next we explore an actual pirate shipwreck found off the coast of Massachusetts at the Real Pirates Salem museum experience which features the true tale of “Black Sam” Bellamy – the richest and one of the youngest pirates of all time – and Maria Hallett, the love of his life and so-called “Witch of Wellfleet.”
During the early 1700s, Bellamy captured the infamous slave ship Whydah, as well as more than 50 other ships, earning him the nickname the “Prince of Pirates.” Meet the crew and follow their journey as they seek fortune on the high seas, amass the greatest pirate treasure of all times, and ultimately meet their untimely fate when the Whydah sinks in a violent Nor’easter off the coast of Cape Cod. See the world’s only fully authenticated pirate treasure ever discovered – including coins, jewelry, and weapons – retrieved from the wreck, and last touched by the hands of pirates more than 300 years ago.
