The recently discovered wreck of the Portuguese warship "Nossa Senhora de Cabo," which sank in 1721 after a pirate attack, has yielded a significant treasure near Nosy Boraha Island, Madagascar. This find provides a direct link to the adventurous period known as the Golden Age of Piracy.
The "Nossa Senhora de Cabo," a vessel of approximately 700 tons, was en route to Lisbon when it was intercepted by pirates, including the notorious French pirate Olivier Levasseur, also known as "La Buse." The ship was carrying a valuable cargo of gold, silver, coins, silk, and precious gems, including an estimated 110 diamonds, 250 emeralds, 20 rubies, and 20 sapphires. The estimated value of the discovered treasure is a staggering $138 million.
The attack on the "Nossa Senhora de Cabo" occurred on April 8, 1721, near Réunion Island. Accounts indicate the Portuguese warship had been weakened by a storm, forcing its crew to jettison some of its cannons. Pirates, led by Levasseur and his associate John Taylor, successfully captured the vessel. While the Portuguese viceroy was released after a ransom was paid, the ultimate fate of the ship's officers and the approximately 200 enslaved individuals aboard remains unknown.
Nosy Boraha Island, historically known as Île Sainte-Marie, served as a prominent pirate haven during the 17th and 18th centuries due to its strategic location. The island features a unique pirate cemetery, a testament to the many buccaneers who met their end there. The discovery of the "Nossa Senhora de Cabo" further solidifies Nosy Boraha's place in pirate lore, directly connecting it to one of the most significant pirate heists recorded.
This discovery is considered highly significant for enhancing the understanding of the pirate era, maritime trade, and the religious context of the time. The "Nossa Senhora de Cabo" shipwreck is not only a repository of material wealth but also a vessel carrying invaluable historical narratives. Future research is expected to provide deeper insights into this captivating period of history.