In 1984, a discovery was made off the coast of Massachusetts that rocked the world of nautical archaeology. The first intact pirate ship, complete with loot, cannons, and skeletons of some of the souls lost, was a monumental step in understanding the lives of the people who lived during the Golden Age of Piracy.
The ship's identity, The Whydah Gally, was confirmed upon discovery of the ship's bell and would divulge many secrets of the months before the hurricane that claimed it on April 17, 1717, and the men who served with the pirate, Black Sam Bellamy. Due to this discovery, we now know Black Sam was worth around $133 million in today's currency, along with other goods and exotic plunder. He sailed alongside many of the famous pirates we know today: Blackbeard, Benjamin Hornigold, Captain Jennings, Charles Vane, and Olivier Levasseur, to name a few.
His career as a pirate was short-lived, and his friend, Paulsgrave Williams, stood by him for most of it. However, in the two years Black Sam sailed, his exploits became legendary, as well as the story of his love for Maria Hallett. She was integral in his decision to turn to piracy, as found in this historical fiction book based on the documented events from his life.