Discovery of a 17th Century Sunken "Pirate Ship"

Remains of a small pirate ship have been discovered in deep waters between Spain and Morocco by what are known as shipwreck hunters. This is the first time remains of such a ship have been found in this area. According to Live Science, the ship was located off the shores of Morocco. It was well-armed and likely headed towards the Spanish coast. Researchers speculate that the pirates were planning raids at sea, but their ship sank on the way. An unusual cargo was found on board. The newspaper noted that the ship carried kitchen utensils and other metallic items, manufactured in what is now modern Algeria. Researchers believe that this cargo was merely a disguise. The pirates may have tried to present themselves as ordinary traders to avoid attacks from warships. Marine archaeologist Sean Kingsley, one of the investigators of this discovery, stated that the wreck is "the first Algerian pirate ship found in the heart of the Berber region." The remains of the pirate ship were found by a team representing Odyssey Marine Exploration, based in Florida. It was first discovered in 2005. However, this shipwreck site did not particularly interest researchers, as they were seeking the English warship HMS Sussex, armed with 80 cannons, which sank in the same area in 1694. Now, marine archaeologists have returned to the wreck and categorized it as a pirate ship. Mission leader Greg Stem remarked, "As is the case when searching for a sunken shipwreck, we discover many previously unknown shipwrecks."