Capturing the Sainte Marie
Bellamy and his crew had taken dozens of ships in the Caribbean, as depicted in this painting, before they took the Whydah.
Gregory Manchess National Geographic
On her maiden voyage in 1717 the Whydah had successfully completed the Middle Passage to Jamaica and delivered over 300 African captives to be sold in the slave market. With her holds full of gold and trade goods purchased with the profits of the sale, they set a course for England.
As Prince sailed between Cuba and Hispaniola towards the Bahamas, she was spotted by the pirate Captain Sam Bellamy sailing on the Sultana and the chase was on. "Black Sam", as Bellamy was known, pursued the Whydah for three days, determined to capture the ship and its treasure. Prince fired two warning shots and then surrendered the Whydah to Bellamy.
Treasure Map
Contrary to popular myth, pirates rarely buried their treasure.
Arts and Exhibitions International
Now that Bellamy had the Whydah in his possession, he made it his flagship. Anything of value on the Sultana was transferred over and the original crew of the Whydah was given an opportunity to join Bellamy's crew. Twelve joined him. Prince was given the stripped down Sultana and allowed to sail away unharmed.
Before he left the Bahamas, Bellamy added ten additional canons and swivel guns to the Whydah, increasing her total armament to at least twenty-eight guns. Satisfied with his capture, Captain Bellamy set sail for New England waters.
~~ The Crew ~~
