Stede Bonnet’s treasure is believed to be buried along the Delaware Bay, perhaps as some sources indicate, in the vicinity north of the Cape May – Lewes Ferry Terminal.
The treasure, if there at all, would be located beneath the concrete foundations of the structures.
#Treasured angels barnegat new jersey professional
Recently discovered maps and documents point to a site directly under a commercial professional complex of buildings. However as the shoreline has suffered tremendous erosion, the area is now Federally protected and thus digging is not permitted.Ī sight believed to contain Captain Kidd’s treasure is in the area of Del Haven. One popular site believed to be the resting place of some of Blackbeard’s treasure is Higby’s Beach. There is evidence to support that Blackbeard, Captain Kidd and Stede Bonnet buried treasure in and around Cape May. They were so-called, as their crafty plan could not be successful on moonlit nights. Instead the vessels would run aground at which the Mooncussers would launch small boats from the shore and row out to plunder the stranded vessels. Thinking it was another ship they would attempt to come alongside to assist in navigation. On dark and moonless nights, when navigation in the bay was difficult, vessels would see the row of lights upon the shore. Pirates who had hidden their sloops and penances in the marshy reeds would wait for the appropriate moment to strike quickly at these vessels and plunder their goods.Īnother legendary group of bandits that roamed the shores of cape May were the “Mooncussers.” These crafty rogues would form a line of horses along the beach and hang lanterns from the saddles. Primarily a swampy and marsh area, pirates soon learned the value of its natural hiding places along the bay.Īs the Delaware Bay served as the entry point to the ports of Philadelphia, heavily laden and slow moving ships would begin their long journeys into the channel. As vessel traffic increased to the port, so did the population. Vessels would stop here to take on ammunition, fresh water, food-stores and livestock.
This made the cape extremely popular as a stopping point for many vessels preparing a lengthy eastward journey through the Spanish Main to Europe. Settled primarily by New England whaling men, the original village at Cape May was called “Town Bank.” It served as a small port and a base of operations in the Delaware Bay for the whaling industry.Ĭape May is centered between the Atlantic Ocean on its eastern coast and the Delaware Bay on its western shoreline. His vessel, the Blyde Broodschap (Glad Tidings) was on an exploratory expedition when he made his find. (Originally Published in Weird NJ, Volume 14)Ĭaptain Cornelius Mey discovered the Cape when he sailed around it in 1623. And the most famous pirate to ever travel the Jersey waters was the notorious Captain Kidd. Pirates were not only tolerated, but in many cases they were openly encouraged. Many wealthy colonial families’ fortunes began by either investing in pirate expeditions, or buying plundered goods at a discount and reselling them at a large profit. A triad of politicians, businessmen, and ship owners who were either bribed by, or did business with the pirates, protected them. The Morgan section of Sayreville is said to have been named after relatives of the infamous pirate. Blackbeard attacked farmers and villages near what is today called Middletown, and Captain Morgan often visited the area. Many landing parties rowed onto shore or up the creeks and rivers of Central Jersey, including Wales Creek, Matawan Creek, Waycake Creek, and others.
The waters between Sandy Hook and New York City were infested with pirates and French privateers. Many people today are unaware of the role New Jersey, and especially the Raritan Bayshore, played in the lives of many pirate legends in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
0 kommentar(er)
