It seems like a no-brainer, writing
about sailing and NOT mentioning pirates or pirate maps.
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| a tower from Jean Lafitte's fort on Tortoa |
So...
Research shows that there are no
existing pirate maps with an X on it.
Disappointing, I know.
But think about it.
Putting an X on a map marking your
chest of gold doubloons is the modern day equivalent of pre-loading
all your passwords into your money apps then leaving your phone lying
around without a fingerprint unlock.
Yet, pirate bounty is real.
Thanks to a whole lot of bad weather,
shallow water and some unscrupulous harbormasters who liked to move
channel markers to enable the crashing of Spanish boats full of gold
and jewels.
Apparently the Spanish enjoyed cruising
around the Caribbean with their finiest finery on board...watching a
show, having an endless buffet, taking short of boat excursions...
But, I digress.
X marking the spot on a treasure map
has its history in the British Army, where soldiers would place a
paper with a large black X over the heart of those to be executed.
Efficient, but not very romantic.
We have Robert Louis Stevenson to thank
for the romance. It was in his book Treasure Island that the Pirate
map with a large X became the dream of kids and adults alike.
And Mr. Stevenson had great
inspiration.
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| 'Treasure Island' |
In 1750 the Spanish vessel Nuestra
Senora de Gudalupe took shelter from a storm in North Carolina. The
crew mutinied and stole the treasure of 55 chests of silver. Some of
the treasure was taken to St. Croix. The rest was taken to Norman
Island in the BVI.
Residents of Tortola got wind of the
loot and made for the island, just a short 5 nautical mile row from
Road Town.
The Lt Govenor got wind of this, as Lt
Governor's do, and made a deal granting 1/3 of the treasure to the
citizens for its return.
Most was foolishly returned.
But not all...
In 1915, a fisherman from Tortola took
shelter in a cove on the West coast of the island. All through the
night his little boat was bashed into the walls of the cave. The next
morning he awoke to discover many large rocks in his boat and on the
wall of the cave a chest full of doubloons...
No actual documentation of this find
exists. No legal 'treasure trove' was ever filed.
But, shortly after this storm the
fisherman and his family quit fishing, moved to St. Thomas and opened
up several small shops.
Presumably to accomadate all those
Spanish cruisers...
Now, here's the great part.
Norman Island does exhist.
It is part of the chain of islands in
the British Virgin Island chain.
Norman is not inhabited, except by
several goats. It does boast two restaurants as well as a replica
schooner in the cove which serves adult beverages and is known for is
piratey tradition of jumping topless from its top deck.
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| Pirates Bight |
Pirates Bight and the Club are right on
the beach.
Not very safe from pirates but easily
accessed by hungry snorkelers.
Our snorkling expidition stopped there
for lunch.
Which was delicious – Roti and Conch
Fritters and a Painkiller.
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| Roti - a yummy meat and veggie pie |
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| conch fritters and painkiller |
And then the piracy happened.
Not knowing what the situation would be
when we left our room, we decided Rob would leave the credit cards
stowed and just take some cash.
Which was enough for our lunch, but not
for a tip...
Thankfully, the 70 year old divers
found it rather hysterical when I sweetly, laughingly suggested that
they create a disturbance while Rob and I made a run for it.
Because you know,
Pirates!!
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| The plaque on Jean Lafitte's tower. |
*Here are the links to both Pirates
Bight and Willie T.
(A 'bight' is an large indentaion in a
coastline.)
*The nice 70 year old couple on our
snorkeling trip were kind enough to lend us a couple bucks which we
repaid to them at dinner that evening with a hearty thank-ee.
They offered their help anytime, and
requested to let them know where we would traveling as we looked like
trouble....
I have a feeling they will be placing a
HUGE X on that spot...
This post is part of the A to Z Challenge. For more entries click here: a-to-zchallenge.com
