Caribbean Priate Treasure in a Cave??

[BVI Hunter]

Category:Turks and Caicos History - Eurêka

Sand Cay treasure English Captain Delaney recovers $130,000 in pirate treasure from a cave at Sand Cay, 1850.


Came across this interesting line, while searching for "Sand Cay" in the TCI, which is a popular anchorage for those sailing to the DR.

Would anyone have heard this tale before or would hazard a guess as to its validity?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Diving for Pleasure and Treasure - Grab it through Amazon!

[ARC]

Would be cool to track down the cave today just for the heck of it.

We always see these "caves" in movies... but me... never in real life.

Would be cool to just MD a cave that once held something like that ... and put that notch in the ole belt.

 

[BVI Hunter]

Does not look vey "cavey" type land!!

 

[Deltanimal]

Most pirates spent their treasure as fast as they earned it. They were all very aware of the short lifespan of their career field. Most buried treasure was done by people to protect it from being stolen BY pirates.

 

[ARC]

Most pirates spent their treasure as fast as they earned it. They were all very aware of the short lifespan of their career field. Most buried treasure was done by people to protect it from being stolen BY pirates.

Although this theory is commonplace amongst the masses...

This in fact was only a small percentage of pirates that fit this "modus operandi".

It is a myth based on myths spun by a handful of instances and popularized by movies and in fictions.

 

[ARC]

View attachment 1750840

View attachment 1750841

Does not look vey "cavey" type land!!

And agreed... not looking very "cavey wavy".

 

[Hillbilly Prince]

Although this theory is commonplace amongst the masses...

This in fact was only a small percentage of pirates that fit this "modus operandi".

It is a myth based on myths spun by a handful of instances and popularized by movies and in fictions.

So you are saying there was pirate treasure hidden?
Offhand, it would seem once loot was divided from a great prize there would still be a lot of stuff to stash even after the partying, drink and women. But where do you put it?

 

[releventchair]

Blue Ade underwater cave?
Village caves?
Conch Bar caves?
Lucayan history? Did they salvage wrecks?

Limestone.

Treasure?

 

[Hillbilly Prince]

Burying things of value is / was not just a "pirate" thing...

It is... and always has been... a human thing.

As far as the question of pirates burying things of value...

Let me put it very simplistically overall starting with the saying... "no honor amongst thieves".

With that saying in mind...

Picture now in your mind...

YOU are aboard that ride with your "cut" of the take...

WOULD YOU plan for something "better" ?

Would your plan be that of today and the next only ?

OR would you plan for more ?

To get ahead ? a better life ?

What would be your reason... to "risk it all" ?

Would it be to only "get drunk and carouse" ?

OR to "retire a wealthy man" ?

Now... with that in mind...

Snap...

Your on a ship with everyone else who wants to do the same thing...

and they steal for a living...

and your sleeping with them...

and your "share" could be...

"Their share".


In other words...

There is only so many places you kind hide "your share" in your "spot" on a ship. heh

Some men would be thinking of an end game or exit strategy that would not include dancing on the end of a rope. Especially as one got older.
Wonder how many pirates "accidently" fell overboard in the night after loot was divided(minus their valuables). When were hauls split up? Only after they came to harbor?
Guessing the captain and a few others got a bigger slice of the pie.
On a ship I can imagine where a few gems or coins might be hidden. Same method as prisoners use to this day, albeit unsuccesfully since guards know about that method
A creative pirate might fix some sort of hole somewhere on the ship.
Hmm...if your ship stopped for water\supplies a man might think to hide some loot in a spot he hoped to return to one day, and keep some for a party once they got to some lively port.
Whatever treasure you seek I have learned you got to put yourself in the mind and circumstances of the last presumed holder. Which you seemed to have done

 

[Hillbilly Prince]

Btw, would not be surprised if tales of treasure caves are part of the travel brochure for some of these resorts.

 

[xaos]

Burying things of value is / was not just a "pirate" thing...
It is... and always has been... a human thing.

Exactly! The word 'bank' comes from the Romans. they would bury their valuables in the earthen 'bank' around their home.

 

[Kray Gelder]

So you are saying there was pirate treasure hidden?
Offhand, it would seem once loot was divided from a great prize there would still be a lot of stuff to stash even after the partying, drink and women. But where do you put it?

I got nuthin' stashed after a lifetime of partying, drink and women. Shoulda started with the great prize.

 

[BVI Hunter]

Blue Ade underwater cave?
Village caves?
Conch Bar caves?
Lucayan history? Did they salvage wrecks?

Limestone.

Treasure?

All those caves are on the other island in the chain - totally different geography I believe??

 

[BVI Hunter]

Btw, would not be surprised if tales of treasure caves are part of the travel brochure for some of these resorts.

This is a deserted island miles from anywhere - never been inhabited

 

[islamoradamark]

I would say theres always a little truth to every little story

 

[KANACKI]

Hello BVI Hunter

If I was you I would try to establish the the existence of this alleged discoverer. No point chasing ghosts.

As for the island agreed most of it is flat but there is higher ground and little bit of cliff where the old disused lighthouse was as you can see below.







Cave might be a lose term in description of where the discovery was made? Perhaps the discovery was made in small cleft in the cliff? If of course the story was true to begin with?

Kanacki

 

[ARC]

Hello BVI Hunter

If I was you I would try to establish the the existence of this alleged discoverer. No point chasing ghosts.

As for the island agreed most of it is flat but there is higher ground and little bit of cliff where the old disused lighthouse was as you can see below.

View attachment 1750943

View attachment 1750944

View attachment 1750946

Cave might be a lose term in description of where the discovery was made? Perhaps the discovery was made in small cleft in the cliff? If of course the story was true to begin with?

Kanacki

Now those pics give it a whole new perspective.

Definitely caves. IMO

 

[Blak bart]

There are caves on most of the bahama islands, some of wich become vast underwater caverns. Boats careening in the islands would often unload and store there wares in caves for protection. Surprised by guarda de la Costa and treasures can be lost by fleeing in haste. One cannot get away from the caves in the bahamas this island here had definite pirate activity in the 1700s and is a spider web of caves.

 

[KANACKI]

I checked for this alleged English Sea Captain Delaney? In All UK and Ireland, Masters and Mates Certificates, 1850-1927 results for Delaney. No luck. While its possible this alleged Delaney was captain before Certificates was introduced. There was no trace of sea captain by the name of Delaney. Nor in English 1850 newspapers in names of captains arriving and departing.

Sadly at this stage unless you can find the original source of the alleged 1850 treasure discovery story? The whole event may just be a treasure yarn with no substance.

Kanacki

 

[Blak bart]

just an example of one of the many thousands of caves on my home island of andros.