Monday, June 1, 2015

Another Maritime Monday Mystery...!

So many tales of lost ships and the treasures they carried still exist around the world, we'll never find or solve all of them. Guess that's why they remain a mystery, right?

It would be exciting to be one one of the hunts for some of the lost treasure ships, I think. Sound exciting to you?

The Madagascar



Captained by the delightfully named Fortescue Harris, the Madagascar departed from Melbourne in 1853. Destined for England, her cargo included at least three tons of gold. Despite several claims to the contrary, the ship was never seen again.

The Madagascar had been due to stop over at Cape Horn, but never arrived—narrowing her disappearance to somewhere between Australia and the southern tip of Africa. Other than that, there aren’t many concrete clues.

We do know that there were probably quite a few shady characters on board the ship. The captain had lost a number of men to the gold rush that was gripping the area and he’d picked up a new crew to replace them—including a pair of notorious bushrangers who were arrested before the ship set sail. One very plausible theory is that there was a mutiny on board and the ship was seized. But then was it taken somewhere else? Offloaded? Boarded by pirates? Sunk by another ship or run aground on an atoll? No one knows for sure, but the Madagascar remains an intriguing prize for any treasure hunter.

I wonder why it is that we are drawn to the sea and all of it's mysteries. I'm guessing it's because it's still such an unknown place. Sure makes for some interesting reading thatnks to folks like ther nes of at Listverse.

Coffe4e out on the patio this morning. That OK with you?

8 comments:

Chickenmom said...

Pirates and gold. They do seem to go together, don't they? I'll bring some jelly donuts for all to enjoy.

linda m said...

I would love to know why so many ships got lost. Searching for lost treasure would be fun though; as long as I get to keep it if I find anything. Thanks for the jelly donut, Chickenmom. Haven't had one in a long time. If you missed me last week, I was in GA visiting my son and family.

Sixbears said...

I've had a small taste of treasure hunting madness. This one is a perfect prize. Glad it's too far away to temp me.

JO said...

Yes so many lost ships in the day. Lots of Pirates to plunder them and then sink them or take them over. Fun to try and figure out what may have happened. Good mystery to start the new week.

Coffee on the patio sounds wonderful before it's time to hide in the house from the heat.

HermitJim said...

Hey Phyllis...
Go together like peaches and cream. Of course, this morning jelly donuts sound pretty good!

Thanks for stopping by today!



Hey Linda...
I was wondering where you were. Glad you got a chance to visit, though. You can keep the treasure as long as the government gets their 25% of what you find!

Thanks for dropping by today!



Hey Sixbears...
It can get under your skin and in your blood, from what I hear.

Thanks for coming over this morning!



Hey Jo...
Sure were a lot lost that we know nothing about their location. That's part of what makes them a mystery, I reckon.

Thanks, sweetie, for the visit today!



Mamahen said...

Would. be fun to try.....save me seat and a donut..I'm on my way :))

HermitJim said...

Hey Mamahen...
Maybe we could talk Sixbears into taking us all out for a water based treasure hunt!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Dizzy-Dick said...

The modern treasure hunters use metal detectors and ground penetrating radar. It costs a lot to hunt treasure.