Pirate Hunters: Treasure, Obsession and the Search for a Legendary Pirate Ship

Book Review by Lisa Norato

PIRATE HUNTERS
Treasure, Obsession, and the Search for a Legendary Pirate Ship
by Robert Kurson 
Random House © June 2015

Recently, I had the opportunity to read this remarkable true account of a pirate who, as incredible as his story was, I had never heard of before and the search to find his sunken ship, the Golden Fleece.  I wanted to share it here because I feel it is a must-read for both fans and writers of historical seafaring and/or pirate adventure.

In 1686, Joseph Bannister, a wealthy, successful and respected merchant sea captain turned pirate for no apparent reason and led the Royal Navy on a chase that is the stuff of novels, except it was all true. Three hundred years later, John Chatterton and John Mattera, both experienced divers and treasure hunters, set out to find the illusive wreck and unlock the mystery of the pirate Bannister. This book is the story of all three mens’ adventures. And what adventures they are!

If, like me, you’re lured by the mystique of the sea in your reading or have an interest in pirates, wooden sailing ships, treasure or history, you will thoroughly enjoy this book. Within its pages, learn about about what life was like for seafarers and why men turned to piracy. Experience the times and dangers of the age of piracy. Or if you’re simply looking for an exciting read−fascinating but true−you will enjoy this book. I could not stop turning pages, hungry for any details about John Bannister and would still be thinking about the story after I put the book down, anxious to get back to it. This book is the closest one can come to diving beneath the sea in a search for treasure without getting out of your chair.

This is a truly awesome read that satisfied my desire for suspense, adventure, romance and mystery, and at its conclusion it impressed me as an inspiring story about never, never giving up.

 

Lisa Norato is the author of the seafaring inspirational suspense novels Prize of My Heart and The Promise Keeper.

Shipbuilding Superstition

Colonial seafarers were known for their superstitions. Early American shipbuilders, as well, had to contend with popular superstition and folklore when constructing a vessel. Here are a some of the more well known superstitions of the day:

•Black walnut was believed to be a tree of ill omen. It was said to draw lightning and be associated with the devil. Its bark and nuts could stain the hands and skin permanently. The reputation of black walnut so bad that it was believed if any part of the boat, no matter how small, was made of this wood, trouble would follow. Even a single walnut brought abroad by a squirrel could bring disaster.

•Laying the keel in a north-south direction - Custom demanded the keel be laid in a north-south direction, whenever possible. In this instance, folklore served a useful purpose. In doing so, the sun would affect both sides of the ship more evenly than if the vessel were laid in an east-west direction.

•Figureheads were believed to be possessed of protective qualities that could shield the vessel, those aboard and its cargo from harm. Each vessel was known to have its own personality and peculiarities, a uniqueness in the way she handled and moved and the internal noises she made while at sea. Captain and crew came to look upon her as almost human, and a figurehead gave her "eyes," allowing the vessel to look out trouble. 

•Paint - Painting a vessel the color or the sea (green or blue) was thought to bring bad luck.

•Name - Great pains were taken in the naming of vessel, with care given not choose one that could be considered impressive. A humble name was more likely to pass unnoticed by the elements, whereas a haughty one could land the vessel in trouble, lest as the Bible says, the mighty be brought low.

•The Launch – The most crucial moment in a vessel's development was the launch. It was in the launch that owners would discover whether they had purchased a lucky or an unlucky vessel. They watched for the way she performed and floated once released into the water. Great effort was made to ensure a successful launch. Mornings were considered a fortunate time of day, while Fridays and the first day of the month were to be avoided. Sightings of gulls, fish and porpoises on the appointed day were all positive signs. Launchings were a community affair with music, food and drink, and a Christian blessing. Special attention was given to selecting a person to christen the vessel with her name.

Lisa Norato is the author of the federal era novels, The Promise Keeper and Prize of My Heart, based in the shipbuilding center of Duxbury, Massachusetts.