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Archaeological Finds of the Legendary Captain Morgan

5 Comments 04 March 2011

Archaeological Finds of the Legendary Captain Morgan

Archaeologists have recently excavated six cannons from Lafas Reef of Panama City, thought to belong to the legendary Captain Henry Morgan.

Thus far, archaeologists have yet to find remnants of the ships sailed by Captain Morgan. If experts confirm that the cannons did belong to Captain Morgan, legends of the former governor of Jamaica and bane of the Spanish Empire will be more than just tall tales.

Captain Henry Morgan was the Welsh privateer commissioned by the British crown to protect the British colonies in the Caribbean in the seventeenth century. The archaeological site where divers are at work is at the mouth of the Chagres River, a place where the Captain staged one of his notorious missions.

In the late 1600’s, Captain Morgan sent an envoy of three ships and a crew of 470 men to capture the Captain Castillo de San Lorenzo el Real de Chagres. When Captain Morgan sailed up the Chagres River to meet the crew, his ship, the Satisfaction, crashed into the Lajas Reef. The ship and everything on board sank in the shallow water of the Chagres River.

Thus far, archaeologists at the site have found the six cannons. But, excavators are working under pressure since treasure hunters are reportedly lurking near the site.

A report from the L.A. Times indicated that two guns, an anchor, ceramics and other artifacts are buried at the site. Other metal objects are thought to be deeper beneath the ocean’s surface.

The findings of the American-Panamanian nautical archaeological team would have immense implications for the field of nautical archaeology in Panama in preserving nautical archaeology and underwater heritage key initiatives of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

As the mission continues, will UNESCO identify the local as a potential World Heritage Site?

The photo above is  a drawing of Captain Henry Morgan recruiting.

If you enjoyed this article, you should also read:

The Wickedest City Under Water

UNESCO Works to Preserve Nautical Archaeology

Nautical Archaeology Threatened by Trawlers

Ancient Rainwater Tunnel Found in Jerusalem


Your Comments

5 Comments so far

  1. Erin Kyzer says:

    A ship owned by Captain Henry Morgan could have been found close to the Panama coast. The journey is funded by, and this is not fictitious by any means, none other than the Captain Morgan rum corporation. [url=http://www.newsytype.com/9912-captain-morgan/]Ship possibly from fleet of Captain Morgan found in Panama.[/url]


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