Anchor Recovered Believed to be from Blackbeard's 'Queen Anne's Revenge'

Anchor recovered believed to be from Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge.

An anchor from what's believed to be the wreck of the pirate Blackbeard's flagship has been raised from the ocean floor off the North Carolina coast.

Archaeologists believe the anchor recovered Friday is from the Queen Anne's Revenge, which sank in 1718. That was five months before Blackbeard was killed in a battle.

The artifact is the second-largest item at the shipwreck, outsized only by another anchor.

Researchers retrieved the anchor from the shipwreck about 20 feet under water and were bringing it to shore. The work to retrieve it began last week. The anchor is about 13 feet long and 8 feet across.

The anchor was located on top of other items that the Queen Anne's Revenge project hopes to recover from the central part of the ship. QAR project director Mark Wilde-Ramsing has said the only remaining parts of the ship -- the wooden hull structure, ribs and a plank -- are at the bottom of the pile, protected by ballast that was stored there to keep the ship upright. Six cannon and four anchors are also in the pile.

The Queen Anne's Revenge shipwreck site, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, has already yielded more than 250,000 artifacts.

 The largest exhibit of artifacts from the shipwreck, which was discovered in 1996, will be shown starting June 11 at the N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort. Wilde-Ramsing has said the team hopes to recover all the artifacts by the end of 2012.

In 1717, Blackbeard captured a French slave ship and renamed it Queen Anne's Revenge. Blackbeard, whose real name was widely believed to be Edward Teach or Thatch, settled in Bath and received a governor's pardon. Some experts believe he returned to piracy after growing bored with land life.

Volunteers from the Royal Navy killed him in Ocracoke Inlet in November 1718, five months after the ship thought to be Queen Anne's Revenge sank.

The Queen Anne's Revenge shipwreck site, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, has already yielded more than 250,000 artifacts.

Nautical News From Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery

Skipjack is now open EVERY day!

Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm

Sunday, 1-4pm

Us Navy Wardroom dinner plates, cups and saucers.

New! Just In!

US Navy wardroom china -- bread and dinner plates, bowls, cups and saucers in great condition. Get 'em while they last!

Nautical  sailboat jewelry from the Barbara Vincent Collection.

Don't forget . . .


Mother's Day is Sunday!

And Skipjack has plenty of items for the nautical Mom, start shopping in our nautical jewelry department!

Authentic porthole re-purposed into a mirror.

Go green . . .

Incorporate authentic re-purposed ship items into your home. This vintage aluminum porthole makes a fantastic mirror and at a fraction of the weight of brass.

Skipjack's Bloaters Guide

Spring is here (finally!) . . .

And boaters are once again plying the Intracoastal Waterway. We are happy to welcome those that stop at here at "Mile Marker 0" ... many thanks to ActiveCaptain, an interactive online cruising guidebook that has featured Olde Towne Portsmouth in recent newsletters. And Skipjack's own publication, the unofficial Boater's Guide, has become a "must have" for new visitors. Check out the Boater's Guide yourself by stopping at Skipjack or Starboards Coffee Kiosk (it's free!) or check out the latest edition online anytime.

And coming soon . . .

Skipjack is opening its own small chandlery department focusing on sailing vessels and will offer both new and gently used as well as hard to find parts for the vintage sailboat. Skipjack will also have available custom services including sail repair, rigging service including stainless steel standing rigging, lifelines, rope splicing, rope to wire splicing, upholstering and custom woodwork including carving, custom teak grate decking and yacht furniture.

Our calendar is full!

What a great time to be in Olde Towne Portsmouth:

FIRST FRIDAY, May 6, 5-8pm -- Skipjack and other galleries and shops in Olde Towne will be open late with special events and refreshments. At Skipjack author Debbiann Holmes will be signing her new book, "Compromises" and master scrimshander Tony Perry will be demonstrating his art.


FIRST WEEKEND, May 7-8 -- Author Debbiann Holmes will be on deck to sign books this Saturday from 11am to 3pm and scrimshander Tony Perry will be at Skipjack throughout the day Saturday and Sunday demonstrating the art of scrimshaw.

Gosport Arts Festival, Saturday and Sunday, May 7-8 -- Over 150 juried artists and artisans will be spread from High Street Landing for five blocks up High Street.

Farmer's Market, Saturday, May 7 -- Now every Saturday through November! Court and High Streets

Antiques to Flea Market, Saturday, May 7 -- Visit this monthly opportunity for treasure hunting in the Middle Street Garage, corner of Middle and London Streets.

Children's Museum of Virginia, Thursday, May 26 -- Grand re-opening!

Mark your calendars!

Skipjack's "Marine Folk Art Show" is back by popular demand! Opening Friday, June 3 and running til July. It’s a folksy collection of whales, mermaids, fish, fowl, carvings, paintings, models, textile, seashells, scrimshaw, sailor art and signs. Some are whimsical, others memorable, but they are all simply delightful. "It’s the greatest folk show in town!"
More information on these events and others is available through the #1 blog in Hampton Roads: http://www.anewdayinoldetowne.com/

See you soon!

And remember, you can shop at Skipjack anytime online at www.SkipjackNauticalWares.com !

Alison & Joe Elder

Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery

One High Street  Portsmouth, Virginia 23704

(757) 399-5012

Summer Hours:

Monday-Saturday, 10am - 5pm

Sunday, 1-4pm

Additional times by appointment

www.SkipjackNauticalWares.com

Skipjack Nautical Wares & marine Gallery is located in the quaint historic seaport of Olde Towne Portsmouth, Virginia on the Elizabeth Riverfront, next to the Hog Island Light Fresnel Lens Exhibit Pavilion and adjacent to the High Street basin.