A lost pirate ship carrying an estimated $130 million worth of treasure has been discovered off the coast of Madagascar, Africa’s largest island.
Archaeologists believe the shipwreck is that of the Portuguese vessel Nossa Senhora do Cabo, which sank over 300 years ago near the island of Nosy Borhan along Madagascar’s northeast coast.
Historical evidence suggests the ship was attacked by the notorious French pirate Oliver ‘The Buzzard’ Levasseur, who operated in the early 18th century. Levasseur began as a privateer during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714) but later turned to piracy, joining the infamous pirate Benjamin Hornigold in 1716.
It is believed Levasseur captured the Nossa Senhora do Cabo in 1721 as it sailed towards Lisbon, Portugal.
Two American researchers, Brandon Clifford and Mark Agostini from the Centre for Historic Shipwreck Preservation, uncovered around 3,000 artifacts from the wreck. The haul includes luxury pottery, coins inscribed in Arabic, and religious figurines, with the total treasure valued at approximately $138 million today.
Agostini told Live Science that Madagascar’s shipwrecks hold vast scientific treasures that have often been overlooked, expressing hope that future expeditions will uncover even more.
During his piracy career, Levasseur was infamous for brutal attacks, including one off the Brazilian coast where he targeted a slave ship. After robbing and damaging the vessel, he abandoned 240 slaves on an island near Rio de Janeiro, where it is believed most perished.
Levasseur continued his piracy for years until his capture near Fort Dauphin, Madagascar. He was taken to Saint-Denis, Réunion, and hanged for piracy on July 7, 1730.
