Prince of Pirate

Yes, he is “Black” Sam Bellamy, the real great pirate of the Caribbean during the Golden age of Piracy. The “Robin Hood's Man" of the sea whose Jolly Roger used for traditional Jolly Roger of piracy: the one with skull and crossbones.

Black Sam Bellamy's Jolly Roger

Ironically, this generous 28 years old captain of Whydah was never been found after his galley was swept up by terrible Nor'easter storm of Cape Cod in the outer coast of what is now called Wellfleet Massachusetts; when he may actually plan to revisit his lover Maria Hallet. It is said Maria who actually give birth to their child during his absence for piracy adventures was desperately looking for his body among one hundred and three washed bodies ashore, but he was never been found. Some said the ghost of Bellamy and his man haunted the area of sunken Whydah and surrounding, even today.

 Hendrick Quintor, John King, Black Sam Bellamy and John Julian

Well, last October I was in Falmouth which is in the bottom of Cape Cod, about 60 miles southwest of Wellfleet, but I didn’t manage time to visit the “Whydah” museum, maybe next time. It should be cool to see the replica of the slave ship that turned into a pirate ship before sank dramatically on the outer coast of Cape Cod. The tragedy actually happens exactly today April 26, two hundred and ninety seven years ago. 

Whydah Galley

Amazing huh? It's a real story, not just acting on a movie scene. Look at the illustration of Bellamy and his man: Hendrick Quintor, John King, and John Julian. And look at the replika of Whydah above. Awesome. The cabin behind those five in line windows are the captain's cabin.

Honestly I don’t like the sea, I thought I may get 'sea sick' immediately only by thinking about it. However I do like the story of Pirates: the outlaws without any nations.

Well, my knowledge about pirates starts with the characters from Treasure Island book like Jim Hawkins of Admiral Benbow Inn, and Long John Silver, the tracery pirate with a famous prototype of pirate look having one silver leg and an exotic parrot named captain Flint (John's former captain) on his shoulder. Next characters are Captain Red Rackham, the captain of Unicorn from the adventure of Tintin, and Captain Hook of the adventure of Peter Pan. The last is a captain pirate who has a hook instead of his right hand.

Sure, I do like more modern Disney pirate characters such as Captain Jack Sparrow and of course William Turner (especially when it was portrayed by Orlando Bloom with his real black hair (as compared to a golden hair of Legolas the elven prince of Mirkwood, heh heh heh). Regardless it is about a ghost ship, I am definitely and willingly on board of Flying Dutchman if her Captain is truly Captain William Turner as it is said and portrayed in the movie (see this, and don't you agree with me?). hahahaha!

Immortal Will Turner, captain of Flying Dutchman

Pirate’s life however is very interesting to know. The pirates captain must be fabulous, strong and charismatic as he is democratically selected among his men based on his leadership quality. Pirates have their own article which is renowned as Pirate Code. These democratic rules used to govern them in such a way included surprisingly a modern element of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. The pirates sing a 'Sea Shanty' when work together and make them 'kind of bound' to each other. An example of the 'Sea Shanty' was sang in the Pirates of Caribbean movie 'Hoist the Color'.

Well, I went to an exhibition about the Real Pirate last Saturday. The exhibition was telling a story of the Black Sam Bellamy and his marvelous Galley Whydah. The shipwreck was discovered on 1984 after peacefully buried under the sand of Cape Cod water for about two hundred and sixty eight years. Most importantly the ship's bell, inscribed with the words "The Whydah Galley 1916" was displayed. This bell make the galley as the first ever pirate shipwreck with its identity having been discovered without any doubt.

After all, Black Sam Bellamy is a real pirate, a commander of Mary Anne, a charismatic captain of Sultana and later a great captain of Whydah. Eventually due to his marvelous but short carrier in piracy (1716-1717), Bellamy isn't as famous as other pirates such as the notorious Blackbeard, though they were on board together during Bellamy's early carrier of piracy. Bellamy's romantic tale with Maria however is more famous than his great piracy adventures. Thomas Davis, a carpenter of Whydah, one of the survivor of the galley tragedy who was pardoned by the King, live long enough to hereditary telling the story of Bellamy's life into folklore of Cape Cod.

Yo, ho, haul together,
hoist the colors high.
Heave ho, thieves and beggars,
never shall we die