Real Pirates and their treasure take over Manitoba Museum

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba Museum has been boarded by pirates — sort of.

The exhibit Real Pirates, which opens Oct. 17, will give Winnipeggers a chance to see an authenticated pirate ship, complete with treasure.

The Whydah sunk off the coast of Cape Cod in 1717.

It was found by underwater explorer Barry Clifford and his team in 1984.

It is the first known pirate ship to be found in U.S. waters.

Now, 30 years later, artifacts and treasures from the ship are being featured at the Manitoba Museum.

The exhibit features a replica of the ship, its namesake bell, gold, jewelry, pistols, cannons and even a treasure chest full of coins.

The former slave ship was captured and turned into a pirate ship in the 18th century by Captain “Black” Sam Bellamy.

Bellamy and his crew plundered more than 50 ships, taking with them artifacts from each.