Underwater explorers have reportedly uncovered a treasure linked to the infamous 17th-century Scottish pirate, Captain William Kidd, in the waters off Madagascar.
A Block of Silver Under Guard
A 50 kg block of silver with inscriptions, currently guarded on Sainte Marie island off Madagascar’s east coast, was presented to Madagascar’s president during a special ceremony in 2015. This silver bar, engraved with ‘T’ and ‘S’ on one side and various letters and numbers on the other, remains a mystery as to its full meaning. The joint U.S./U.K. archaeological team believes there may be more such bars in the wreck.
Captain William Kidd: The Infamous Pirate
Captain William Kidd (1645 – 1701) was a Scottish sailor tried and executed for piracy after a voyage to the Indian Ocean. Known as one of history’s most notorious pirates, he was said to have amassed a treasure worth £100,000 – equivalent to £12 million today – before being arrested for piracy and murder. During his trial in London in 1701, Kidd attempted to trade knowledge of his buried treasure for his life.
The Discovery
The Guardian reported that the silver bar was found in shallow waters off Sainte Marie island by a joint UK-US archaeological mission led by Barry Clifford, an underwater investigator who discovered the remains of Kidd’s ship, Adventure Galley, in 2000. Kidd is seen either as one of the most notorious pirates or as one of the most unjustly vilified privateers. Despite allegedly causing less destruction than other pirates, Kidd met a brutal end – he was hanged twice (the first attempt failed) and then covered in tar and hung from a gibbet over the River Thames.
Kidd’s Notable Captures and Legacy
Kidd, the son of a Presbyterian minister, initially served as a buccaneer and a private British ship captain in the Caribbean. However, he supposedly found piracy more rewarding after being commissioned to sail to Madagascar on the Adventure Galley. His most famous capture was the 400-tonne ship Quedah Merchant, carrying silver, silk, gold, sugar, opium, and cloth. Arrested in Boston in 1699 and sent to Newgate prison, the treasure found on his ship was valued at £30,000 (around £10 million today), but much of his treasure was never found. The legend of Kidd’s buried treasure has fueled numerous treasure hunts and inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island.”
The Present-Day Significance
The discovered silver bar, valued at over £17,000 at today’s prices, is believed to be part of Kidd’s legendary loot. Clifford presented this suspected treasure to Madagascar’s president, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, and UK and US diplomats during a ceremony on the island. Officials, including UK ambassador to Madagascar, Timothy Smart, hope the discovery will boost Madagascar’s profile, particularly for tourism.
The End of Captain Kidd
Captain Kidd was tried for piracy and the murder of a crewman in 1697. His execution was complicated, with the noose around his neck breaking twice before the third rope held firm. His legend, particularly the belief in buried treasure, has led to numerous global treasure hunts over the centuries.
In 2007, archaeologists from the University of Indiana discovered the wreck of Kidd’s Armenian ship, Quedagh Merchant, after decades of competition among treasure hunters. The ship was loaded with precious satins, muslins, silver, and gold, likely belonging to the British East India Company before being commandeered by Kidd in 1699.
