“8 Reale” from the mint at Potosi, Bolivia with the “Cruz Griega” cross design (1571 – 1652). In the quadrant of the cross are the lions and castles which represents the two medieval countries of Leon and Castille that united to form the nucleus of Spain. This cobb-type coin was recovered from the Nuestra Señora de Atocha lost in 1622 and found in 1985. On loan from the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society. |
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The ingot on bottom was recovered from the Nuestra Señora de Atocha (1622) and mined from Cuba’s copper deposits. On loan from the Florida Department of Natural History. The top ingot was recovered from the steamer Pewabic which sand in August 1865 in Lake Huron. The copper was mined on the Mackinaw Peninsula. On loan from Steve Radovan. |
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This corpus (wooden cross missing due to sea weathering), was recovered in the Bahamas from one of the wrecked vessels of the early 18th century. On loan from the Florida Museum of Natural History. |
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As the smoke clears on some dirty business, there is a moment’s pause for introspection. Perhaps the rum and the greed have worn off just a little, inspiring a lapse into homesickness. |
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This coral encrusted Flint Lock was recovered from the 1715 Spanish Fleet sunk off of the eastern seaboard of Florida. X-ray’s revealed that the pistol actually had disintegrated in the coral but left an exquisite impression. The coral was injected with a plasticizer and the coral was removed from half of the piece. The different segments of the gun were then painted to show the original detail. On loan from the Florida Museum of Natural History. |
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Reverse side of the previous image. |
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Kids of all ages will have the opportunity to try their luck at arming a cannon and taking a shot at a richly laden Spanish Galleon. |
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Key for a padlock which was aboard the Nuestra Senora de Atocha lost in 1622. |
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The navigation acts of the 1700s preyed upon profits from the colony’s trade goods. Pirates preyed upon those goods in transit. This sea rover is preying upon the stolen goods he is supposed to be guarding. A rat is preying upon the twice stolen spoils. Likely, there are ticks and fleas about preying upon them both. Parasites, indeed, take on many forms. |
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Children will have the opportunity to dress like a pirate in the children’s room. After why pirates wore certain clothes, they will have the opportunity to exit their cabin and stop on deck for a wonderful photo opportunity. |
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A “4 Reale” (top left) and eight “8 Reale” from the Nuestra Señora de Atocha site (1622). All of the “8 Reale” were from the same chest and came from the “Great Silver Mountain” of Potosi, Bolivia. An “8 Reale” is a “piece of eight” in pirate-talk. |
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Shackles from the Henrietta Marie, an early 18th Century English Slaver. Sank off of the Florida Keys in June of 1700. On loan from the Mel Fischer Maritime Heritage Society. |
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Split shot musket or “arbuques” ammunition from the Nuestra Señora de Atocha. Split shot would whirl as it left the barrel and had the ability to maim and/or cause great bodily harm. |
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Avast ye landlubbers!
Pirates Invade the Door County Maritime Museum
Sturgeon Bay, WI…The Door County Maritime Museum, headquartered in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, has prepared an exhibit on pirates, a show to appeal to the fascination shared by adults and children alike. The exhibit includes real history on the likes of Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, Anne Bonney and Mary Read, original works by nationally known painter and pirate illustrator Don Maitz, interactive stations to experience the challenge of a pirate’s life, and a look at the crime and criminals that plied the Great Lakes.
The pirates of the golden age lived a life of adventure and danger. We present the men and women who took pursuit of Spanish galleons through the use of historic engravings, maps, and artifacts. A look at their ships, weapons, and quarry, and how they maintained loyalties among their crew and struck fear in their enemies.
Through the efforts of our many talented and dedicated volunteers, we have researched, written, and constructed this exhibit on our own. With their interest, we have made contact with institutions and businesses to borrow artifacts and arrange for speakers. From the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society, Inc. of Key West, Florida, we have requested coins, domestic objects and elements of armament. These objects were recovered from the Atocha and the Santa Margarita, both members of the 1622 Spanish fleet returning to Spain with treasure taken from the new world. There are ship elements off the wreck of the 40 gun Queen Anne’s Revenge loaned from the North Carolina Maritime Museum. This was one of last the vessels sailed by Edward Teach, a.k.a. Blackbeard. We have also borrowed small arms from the Milwaukee Public Museum and coins from the Bureau of Archaeological Research in Tallahassee.
With electronic wizardry and a section of gun deck, we will challenge our visitors in the capture of an opponent vessel, and take them on a virtual tour of a sailing ship of the day. A touch screen will allow the visitor to learn about the daily life of a pirate and how they entertained themselves with sea shanties. A kid’s cabin will be available for the little ones to try on pirate garb and gain an understanding of who ran the ship and who swabbed the decks.
We will portray a Great Lakes history not usually found in the tour books. From the notorious 19th century character of James Jesse Strang and the colorful Captain Dan Seavey to those who lived above the law during prohibition. There is the distilling of bitters on Washington Island and the transportation of illegal alcohol from Canada to Chicago and the men who moved it. And still, there is the legend of Poverty Island gold and the Pewabic with her sunken treasure some have died for.
Additionally, the Reddin Bridgeroom showcases the brilliantly colored and deftly rendered work of Don Maitz to lend an exciting and fun element to the exhibit portraying real and fictional pirates.
Through these stories and others like them, we offer a three-room exhibit to engage the whole family, presenting history in an environment designed to be enlightening as well as entertaining.
Please note that this is the only exhibit of its kind in the Midwest and will include objects never before seen in the state of Wisconsin. Additionally, this exhibit is a “one-of-a-kind” non-traveling exhibit created by the Door County Maritime Museum. |
