Real Pirates commandeers Denver

Pirates have captured the attention of visitors at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Reaching its sixth location touring the United States, the traveling exhibit Real Pirates arrived in Denver in March and will remain until August.

Artifacts from the sunken slave and pirate ship the Whyda are on display in the Phipps Special Events Gallery in the museum. Setting the Whyda apart from other pirate ships of its time, it is the only pirate gally to be recovered in U.S. waters.

Unlike dramatized movies depicting fictional lives of scurvy sea dogs, this exhibit gives museum goers a different insight on piracy in the 1700s.

According to DMNS anthropologist Mark Levine, “We’re trying to get the real picture of pirates to the public instead of the fake Hollywood productions.”

After being commissioned in London as a slave ship participating in the Atlantic triangle trade, Captain Sam Bellamy commandeered the Whyda, collecting treasure and pirating from Cuba up the American East coast till it sank in a violent nor’easter off the coast of Cape Cod, MA  in 1717.

Underwater explorer Barry Clifford and his team of researchers struggled for years to find any evidence of the ship despite tales he heard of its definite existence. Finally in 1984 the ship was recovered by Clifford; however, salvaging the consecrated remnants became the difficult task.

Now with over 200 objects from the wreck preserved, National Geographic has partnered with DMNS exhibit coordinators to host this exhibit. “Real Pirates allows you to learn from the objects instead of other sources,” said Jennifer Moss Logan, educator/coordinator for nature and culture gallery programs.

“The exhibit tells the story of the Whyda ship from its origins in London to discovery on the ocean floor,” she said.

As the exhibit snakes through the gallery, the timeline of the ship’s history progresses from early slave day antiques being presented near the entrance and information on the wreck’s recovery placed at the exit.

Real Pirates was designed as an especially interactive exhibition to satisfy all age groups. Children can create their own pirate hats, embark on a treasure hunt and have a conversation with a professionally trained historical actor. According to Logan, “A lot of our younger and even older audiences come dressed as pirates. This is a great family friendly exhibit because it’s more than just artifacts in protective cases.”

Event organizers took extra care in details to ensure visitors are immersed in the pirate experience for the duration of their time in the gallery. Never before used “intricate lighting and sound systems” simulate the fateful storm and guests must board a replica Whyda ship to proceed through the exhibit, said Levine.

Though the center of the attraction, most agree, is the original bell which is inscribed “The Whyda Gally 1716,” other items include gold, dining ware and the leg bone of the ship’s youngest crew man, John King.

The Denver Museum of Nature and Science has obtained large scale exhibitions in the past, but they have a high amount of pride in the work put into Real Pirates.  According to public relations manager Heather Hope, “Our team is very well known within the industry for getting great exhibits and taking them up a notch.”

It’s their hope visitors will notice the extra effort and grasp the concept those who have contributed to the exhibit intend to convey. “It’s not what you find; it’s what you find out,” said Clifford.