Pirate Treasure

By Clint Edwards

'Pirate Treasure' examines the hunt for treasures lost or hidden by pirates, and examines whether any of the legends of buried treasure could really be true. Part of the Treasure Hunters series, 'Pirate Treasure' offers a crosscurricular mix of science & technology and history & civilizations, with a fun, dramatic approach. Pirate treasures covered in the book include those of the famous Blackbeard and Captain Kidd, the pirate shipwreck the Whydah, and the mysterious Oak Island Money Pit. The book also looks at the motives for these searches, and the importance of responsible archaeology: were the treasure hunters driven by personal greed or glory, or did they embark on their quest with a historical interest and a desire to preserve the lost treasures?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: Jul 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781410969262

Clint Edwards

Nick Hunter has written more than 30 books for young people. He has a degree in Modern History and specializes in writing about history and social studies. Nick enjoys all aspects of pop culture, particularly music from the 1950s to the present day. Before becoming an author, Nick worked in educational publishing for many years. He lives in Oxford, UK with his wife and two sons.

Book preview

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CONTENTS

Ocean Raiders

Captain Kidd’s Treasure

Blackbeard and the Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirate Shipwreck: The Whydah

The Money Pit

Lost Treasure

Could You Find Pirate Treasure?

Timeline

Glossary

Find Out More

Index

OCEAN RAIDERS

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Imagine you are sailing on the open sea, far from land, when all of a sudden a chill runs down your spine: the ship coming toward you has just raised a skull and crossbones flag!

This was once a real possibility for sailors crossing the world’s oceans on ships carrying goods for trade, passengers, and treasure. Sailors lived in fear of pirates. A ship might appear on the horizon that looked friendly. As it got closer, the crew of the merchant ship would be terrified to see a black pirate flag raised to the top of the mast and armed men crowding the rail of the pirate ship, ready to take their treasure and kill anyone who resisted!

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Pirates have been around since people first sailed the seas. They often have a glamorous reputation, but in most cases they were gangs of robbers who attacked any ship that came their way, caring little about whom they had to murder to get their hands on the loot.

IN 1757, FRENCH PIRATE LOUIS LE GOLIF DESCRIBED THE LIFE OF A PIRATE AS ONE IN WHICH FREEDOM IS THE RULE, AND GREAT RICHES CAN BE QUICKLY ACQUIRED.

TALES OF TREASURE

Over the centuries, legends have grown about the fabulous treasures of pirates such as Blackbeard and Captain Kidd. Most of these treasures have never been found. They could still be out there somewhere, beneat the sea or buried on desert islands—waiting to be discovered by modern treasure hunters.

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Most pirates were men, but there were some famous women pirates. Anne Bonny and Mary Read dressed as men to terrorize ships in the Caribbean.

CORSAIRS AND PRIVATEERS

The earliest known pirates terrorized the