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Photo courtesy
Barry
Clifford
Barry Clifford Clifford examining two of the many anchors scattered about the site off Caracas. |
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Clifford wants site in Caribbean protected
Sally
rose
BANNER STAFF
When Barry Clifford first began to explore his most recent discovery - nine 17th century French ships shipwrecked on an atoll 100 miles off of Caracas - he had in mind to raise as many of the artifacts as possible to be preserved in a museum in Caracas. But after spending two weeks exploring the underwater site, he decided the reef is much too fragile and is instead embarking on a lobbying effort to persuade the Venezuelan government to protect the area by declaring it a national park.
Artifacts so far found at the site include 120 cannons, 20 anchors, unopened chests and barrels and all types of weaponry. Clifford, a marine salvor, is known for discovering the pirate ship Whydah off Wellfleet, which he and his team of marine archeologists continue to explore and excavate.
The shipwreck site is at a mere eight-foot to 25-foot depth, but it is at the far end of the reef, making it less accessible, and currents and wave action make for exhausting diving, said Clifford. However protected the site is by the natural seabed contours and waterscape, he is still concerned that treasure hunters are already poised to swoop down and pilfer the historically rich site.
Clifford said that Max Kennedy, part of the team exploring the Caribbean site, is in the process of drafting a petition to send to the Venezuelan government requesting they protect the site. Clifford added 'I just really think there has to be some environmental impact studies.' He said he believes conservation is important in marine discovery. 'I don't believe anything should be taken up and sold to people who have private interests,' he said.
Clifford explained that the shipwreck, which occurred in 1678, is considered one of the greatest marine tragedies ever - reportedly 13 ships went down, 500 men drowned and 1,000 of the 3,000 sailors who made it to the tiny nearby island of Las Aves starved. The event may have had a part, Clifford added, in ushering in the age of piracy (1680-1730). Thirty French ships, including two privateers (that's pirate ships to us layfolk) were heading to raid the Dutch-owned island of Curacao. But, it seems, the Dutch were ready for them. They lured the French ships toward the reef by firing cannon shots. The French bit.
An account of the event, provided by Whydah historian Ken Kinkor, appears in a book entitled 'Buccaneers in the West Indies' by C.H. Haring: 'A buccaneer was the first to strike and fired three shots to warn the admiral, who at once lighted fires and discharged cannon to keep off the rest of the ships. The latter, however, mistaking the signals, crowded on sail, and soon most of the fleet were on the reefs. Those of the left wing, warned in time by a shallop from the flag-ship, succeeded in veering off. The rescue of the crews was slow, for the seas were heavy and the boats approached the doomed ships with difficulty. Many sailors and marines were drowned, and seven men-of-war, besides several buccaneering ships, were lost on the rocks.'
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Pier end closure is permanent
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Nov 19th, 1998