See the world’s first exhibition of authentic pirate treasure!

New from National Geographic and the team that produced "Tutankhamun and The Golden Age of the Pharaohs," “Real Pirates” tells the true story of the Whydah, a pirate ship that was found off the coast of Cape Cod in 1984 by underwater explorer Barry Clifford.

The exhibition displays over 200 artifacts recovered from the ocean floor including treasure chests of jewelry, coins, and gold. Step on board a recreation of the ship’s stern, walk into the Captain’s quarters, and go below deck to discover what life was like aboard a real pirate ship! “Real Pirates” is the first exhibition of authenticated pirate treasure ever displayed.

Barry Clifford - Underwater Explorer
Barry Clifford is among the world’s best known underwater explorers. Born in 1945 on Cape Cod, Mass., Clifford has been involved in underwater surveys and excavations most of his adult life.

Clifford, a former high school teacher and football coach, started a salvage-diving business in the mid-1970s, and between 1974 and 1984 conducted dive-related work, including underwater construction, oil-spill control and contract sea-rescue. During this period, he also utilized historical research, remote-sensing techniques and underwater surveys to locate numerous shipwrecks around Cape Cod.

In 1984, Clifford made world headlines with his discovery of the remains of the Whydah, wrecked in a storm off Cape Cod in 1717. The Whydah is the first fully-authenticated pirate ship discovered in American waters. Her treasures still are being recovered today with the help of Clifford’s 75-foot vessel, Vast Explorer. With more than 100,000 artifacts recovered and conserved to date, this project has vastly expanded the public’s understanding of 18th century piracy.

Clifford has kept the Whydah collection intact at Expedition Whydah Sea-Lab & Learning Center in Provincetown, Mass., where it has been described by state and federal oversight agencies as “a model for private archaeology.” This facility has proved to be a unique showcase for what underwater exploration can accomplish through careful historical and scientific research.

Clifford is the author of four books: “The Pirate Prince,” “Expedition Whydah,” “The Lost Fleet” and “Return to Treasure Island.” He is currently working on a book about his search for the Santa Maria and his experiences in Haiti.

Clifford’s work has been the subject of numerous television documentaries and features, including “Black Bellamy’s Treasure” (PBS), “Search for Pirate Gold” (Nova), “Sea-Raiders” (Turner Broadcasting), “The Hunt For Amazing Treasures” (NBC), “Lost Treasure of King Charles I” (Discovery Channel), “Sea Tales” (A&E), “Pirates of The Whydah” (National Geographic), “The Lost Fleet” (Discovery Channel/BBC-One) and “Quest For Captain Kidd” and “Quest for Columbus” (Discovery Channel).

Clifford is a Fellow of the Explorers’ Club, a 2005 recipient of the Rolex-Lowell Thomas Award for his achievements in underwater archaeology and a Discovery Quest Scholar. In 2006, he was named Explorer-in-Residence by the American Museum of Natural History in New York. He is married with three children.

About The Whydah
The 300-ton British slave ship Whydah was built in London in 1715. Loaded with valuable goods for trade and 18 cannons for protection, she sailed for the West African port of Ouidah (pronounced Whydah) where she traded goods for slaves before heading to the New World. On April 26, 1717—two months after she was captured by pirates—the Whydah sank off Cape Cod.