The ship was once manned by Barbary corsairs, who were primarily Muslim pirates and privateers and has been linked to Algiers, now the capital of Algeria.
Greg Stemm, director of Seascape Artifact Exhibits Inc told Newsweek: “The threat of Algiers’ corsairs was an everyday terror for the West. The shipwreck found in deep waters is a precious echo of one of the western Mediterranean’s great maritime horrors.”
The city attracted people from across the region—including Muslim refugees from Spain and renegade Christian converts to Islam—who dreamed of getting rich through piracy. By the end of the 16th century, the city’s population had grown to around 60,000.
Discovery of the Pirate Shipwreck
Treasure hunters have found an archaeological gold mine by uncovering a 600-year-old pirate shipwreck at a depth of around 2,700 feet below the Mediterranean.
Measuring around 14 meters, the small vessel was found in international waters midway between Morocco and Spain at the westernmost fringe of the Mediterranean.
The shipwreck was found by Florida-based company Odyssey Marine Exploration (OME) in 2005, although the discovery has been kept under wraps until now.
Rich History of Piracy in Algiers
Sean Kingsley, editor-in-chief of Wreckwatch magazine, told Newsweek: “Less famous than the pirates of the Caribbean, the corsair capital of Algiers turned to piracy far earlier and was a much bigger business.”
“From 1525 to 1830, an entire city of 60,000 ‘rogues and renegadoes’ lived by the sword.”
Additional Insight:
The discovery of the pirate shipwreck sheds light on the extensive history of piracy in the Mediterranean region, particularly in Algiers. The presence of Barbary corsairs and the size of the city’s population involved in piracy illustrate the significant impact piracy had on maritime trade and security during that period. The archaeological findings provide valuable insights into the tactics and activities of these pirates, contributing to a deeper understanding of their history and influence.
