- What is the history of the QAR?
It was a French owned slaver La Concorde of more than 200 tons
armed with 16 guns. Blackbeard captured it in November 1717 and converted
it to the heavily armed (up to 40 cannon) flagship of his pirate fleet.
It ran aground in early June 1718 in Beaufort Inlet (then called Topsail
Inlet) [See also History]
- How deep is the wreck, and what are the conditions on the bottom?
The wreck is in 22-25 feet of water. The bottom is sandy, and because
the wreck is at the mouth of an inlet there are tidal currents. The
visibility varies from a few inches to several feet.
- What does the wreck look like? What is uncovered this year?
There is a sizable mound several feet high of anchors, cannon, and ballast
stone [map].
This year the excavation uncovered a significant amount of wooden hull.
- Did the hurricanes damage the wreck?
No in fact, while the storms deposited sand on one side of the wreck,
on the other side sand was scoured away, exposing the hull structure.
- Why do you think this is the Queen Anne’s Revenge?
The wreck remains indicate a large, heavily armed vessel. The Queen
Anne’s Revenge is the only known shipwreck of the early eighteenth
century in Beaufort Inlet that matches the evidence. [See also History]
- Is there something you are specifically looking for but haven't
found yet?
Nearly all information collected so far support the shipwreck's identity
as Queen Anne's Revenge. No specific artifact, however, can be
tied conclusively with the ship. Archaeologists would like to find an
article, such as a pewter plate, that has an insignia tying it to La
Concorde. Conceivably a personal item might carry initials identifying
its owner. The chances of finding such an artifact tied to Blackbeard
or a member of his crew is possible but unlikely.
- What will it take to prove that this wreck is the Queen Anne’s
Revenge?
Historical research has revealed that the Queen Anne’s Revenge
was originally a French owned slaver, La Concorde. Finding La
Concorde’s bell would be definitive. So far, the artifacts all fit
in the pre- 1718 date. Considerable small arms and ammunition have been
found; 15 cannon have been located, and more should soon be uncovered;
the ship’s construction fits the period; and the ship’s anchors are
designed for a large vessel. Extensive archaeological excavation and
research should compile enough evidence to rule out any other possibility.
- What are you finding?
In addition to the 1709 bell, the blunderbuss, pewter plates, and a
deep sea sounding weight recovered in 1997, the excavation has produced
parts of a brass scientific instrument, shards of a large earthenware
storage jar, numerous musket balls and grape shot, more ship’s fittings,
and a major portion of the hull [see Artifacts].
- How many artifacts are still at the site, and how long do you estimate
it will take to bring them all up?
With less than two percent of the shipwreck excavated and recovered,
archaeologists expect that hundreds of thousands of individual objects
associated with QAR still lie on the seafloor. It is estimated
that it will take five years of concerted effort to recover them, and
an additional fifteen years to clean, analyze and conserve them!
- What do archaeologists consider to be the most significant artifact
recovered?
Although there have been a variety of spectacular finds, including cannons,
a bronze bell, flakes of gold and two beautiful wine bottles, archaeologists
look at the collection as a whole for its significance. With a large
array of cannon and shot they are able to get a glimpse of naval warfare
during the early 18th century. Food remains and eating utensils give
them an idea how they lived. Navigational and medical instruments reveal
the technology of the day. These and many other aspects can be revealed
through the ship's material culture.
- How do you excavate underwater?
First, references for mapping the site are established by setting a
grid consisting of a north- south base line chain and east –west transects
of yellow line at ten-foot intervals. Excavation is done in ten foot
square units by divers in full scuba gear. In some squares several feet
of sand have been removed using hand fanning, a dredge, and an airlift.
Artifacts and features are photographed, plotted on a map, drawn, and
then recorded by elevations. The whole excavation is being extensively
videotaped.
- How do you protect the wreck when you are not diving?
The wreck is under the jurisdiction of the State of North Carolina,
which has established a restricted zone around the site, monitored by
an electronic surveillance system linked by computer to local law enforcement
officials [see
NC State Shipwreck Law ].
- Is QAR considered an artificial reef? Is disturbing it damaging
to the habitat?
On March 3, 1997, a 300-yard area surrounding the shipwreck was declared
" a protected are of primary archaeological and historical value", by
Secretary Betty Ray McCain of the North
Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. While this does not include
protection for the biological community, archaeologists are aware of
the abundant wildlife associated with this "historic" artificial reef
and keep disturbance to a minimum. Prior to conducting test excavations
a Coastal Area Management permit was applied for and received. This
process allowed various agencies concerned with fisheries, water quality,
erosion and other issues to review and comment on project impacts.
- Are there any other shipwrecks in the area?
A total of 184 vessels are known to have sunk in the Cape
Lookout area based on historical records. Shipwrecks occurred with
the first explorations of the coast in the 16th century and continue
today. The causes of each vessel's sinking vary. Most often it happened
while attempting to navigate the shoals of Cape Lookout or those guarding
Beaufort Inlet during times of stormy weather. QAR appears to
have run aground while trying to navigate the inlet and reach calmer
waters near Beaufort.
- Will there be a special museum in the area?
The North
Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort has plans for a major exhibit
hall to feature artifacts and information on QAR and 18th century
maritime history. A traveling exhibit with artifacts such as the bronze
bell and blunderbuss is traveling throughout the state and country.
- Were the pirates on QAR successful, that is, were they good
at what they did?
The success of QAR pirates, like thieves and criminals throughout
history, is directly related to social structure and the means of enforcement.
During the late 17th and early 18th century there was little rule in
the New World and bands of pirates succeeded in sustaining a way of
life preying on merchant shipping. In 1718 England began to crack down
on pirates using a combination of amnesty and force. It was the latter
method, employed by the Royal Navy and Lt. Maynard, that ended Blackbeard's
life in November, 1718 at Ocracoke Inlet. In a few short years pirating
had been brought under control and ceased to be a problem. At the end
of Blackbeard's career he had accumulated a fleet of four vessels, three
to four hundred men and attacked as many as fifty merchant ships. While
this demonstrates his success, it came at a cost in terms of physical
and financial injury to many innocent people and businesses.
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