Author's Preface:
Diary Entry for Day 3 from the deck of the Golden Holly:
Although, each of us can access the internet on the Golden Holly, we are usually on task with this Caribbean sea life, or we are absorbing nature at its finest as we move in tune with swelling of the waves. Our captain, Captain Jones, stays constantly in tuned to life on the Golden Holly and to the news in the world that surrounds his ship.

After breakfast on the deck this morning, the Captain shared with us some very somber news involving a ship and its crew sailing the seas half way across the world. This very day, piracy is still alive in our society, with all of the monetary greed, violence, and death. Within the waters of Indian Ocean, Somali pirates overtook the Maersk Alabama, a cargo ship bearing the United States flag. The captain of the ship surrendered himself to the pirates as a sole hostage, if the pirates would let the rest of the Alabama's crew leave for home unharmed. The pirates are now holding him hostage for ransom, over a million dollars, as if someone could place a dollar amount on life itself. With this news, we remember the true nature of piracy. Pirates sought and fought for gold. Is that all that motivates me? My search should be for history and the historical events that have occurred in these waters that we sail today, and not just for monetary rewards.

Such was the undertaking of the University of Indiana under the leadership of the Director of Academic Diving and Underwater Science Programs, Charles Beeker, and a group of students. In December 2007 they discovered a pirate's ship during one of their research journeys to the Caribbean. The ship was found in very shallow waters, ten feet deep, off Catalina Island, Dominican Republic. They did not find any gold or silver, but they found an untouched 17th century shipwreck. They are researching the ship and have been licensed to turn it into an historic preserve open to the public. What is strange is that they found an actual ship, the Quedagh Merchant, that belonged to Captain William Kidd. I have his diary right here in front of me ready to read. Certainly, this diary has already been researched. Perhaps, this is the diary that led the team from the University of Indiana to their amazing discovery of the Quedagh Merchant.

~ ~ ~ 

Ship's Log

~ Captain William Kidd ~



On the First Day of April in the Year of 1699 ~
Position ~18021'N 690W ~ Hispaniola
Written as Captain of the Merchant and the Antonio
Ship's Business ~
Tonight is good and the Supper is done. My first mate was at my side and I laid many Treasures before us on the table. I gave it all to him. I will give him more if he can but Protect my Ship~my Merchant~till my return from the voyage to America. I must clear my Good name before the Governor of New York. I am but a Scotsman, who has made my home with my wife in New York City in the New World.

At first Dawn's light, I will pass the helm of the Merchant to my trusted first mate and sail the smaller Antonio to America. My most recent purchase of the Antonio was a Wise undertaking, for it is lighter and faster. With God's speed, I will journey around this island and shall rest the Antonio at 180N 680W. There within the shores of Mona Isle are the caves ~ so protected by the coral reefs of the Isle. Antonio can circumvent the Dangers of the reefs. There I can store my hidden chests of rubies and diamonds till my return from America. For only a few Treasures must I take with me to New York for Payments to Investors and to my fair Wife. For once I have made Payments to all, Thence I can give a Good name to all my Endeavors under the protection of this Letter of Marque signed by King William III of England.This Letter of Marque gives me the full authority to confiscate any foreign ships that sail in the seas, so long as they are an ememy of England.

For I know not how the name of Captain William Kidd is blotted by the rumors traveling over the seas and into the Ports. I swear, by Oath, that I have not murdered. Only have I taken a Life so that I may protect my own Galleys or to preserve my life or Those that serve me. I shall clear my Good Name and I shall Return to my Merchant to sail the Seas furthermore.

~Captain William Kidd


~ ~ ~ 

Yes, perhaps this is enough evidence for the Golden Holly to navigate to Mona Island. True enough, the Quedagh Merchant was found. But from all reports, just the ship was discovered. This diary entry leads me to believe that it is plausible Captain Kidd hid chests of diamonds and rubies within the caves of Mona Island. Now, Mona Island is located between Puerto Rico and Hispaniola and is only 6 miles long and 4 miles wide. However, it is the Galapagos of the Caribbean and only 100 people are allowed on the island at one time. If our research team desires to search for the legacy of Kidd's treasure, we must work quickly to obtain permission for access to the island.

      Written by Marie Stone



Author's Note:
Captain Kidd did indeed leave the Caribbean for New York. It was his last journey on the seas as a Captain. After arriving in New York, he was whisked away to England to be tried for piracy and murder. In May 1701, England convicted and hung Kidd for confiscating the French Quedah Merchant, which was commanded by an Englishman, and for the murder of one of his crew, William Moore, who committed mutiny against Kidd. Why did Kidd sail for America when he could have just remained in obscurity somewhere in the Caribbean, or in another far away region of the world, with all his treasures? Captain Kidd strongly believed in his heart that he was innocent of all charges against him and wanted to be known as a Good Man. He believed the Letter of Marquis from the King of England, King William III, and the laws of the sea would absolve him from any accusations of crime.

The diary above is just a story. It is historical fiction of a moment in time about a notorious pirate that sailed the seas. I based the ship's log on a few facts while writing what may have been on Captain William Kidd's heart the night before he sailed home to America. Numerous diaries, maps, and reports have surfaced over the centuries since Kidd's hanging that have led many people to believe there still may be some of his treasures hidden, yet still to be discovered. The photos and maps below show some Caribbean haunts of Captain William Kidd and some actual discoveries that have been unveiled.



Quedagh Merchant Discovery Dive Divers for Quedagh Merchant
Catalina Island Mona Island Cave


Map of Caribbean Islands
Map of Puerto Rico and Mona Island

Letter of Marquee
to Captain Robert "William" Kidd
from King William III of England~





Bibliography:
Captain Still Held by Pirates, Website: Infomarine OnLine
Modern Piracy, Website: New York City Daily News Multimedia
Indiana University Discovers 1699 Captain Kidd Shipwreck, Website: Indiana University, IU News Room
Treasure Seekers of the Caribbean by Lea Ann Fessenden-Joseph, Website: The Caribbean Property Magazine, February 2009 Issue
Hispaniola, Website: Wikipedia
Captain John Kidd, Website: University of Texas School of Law
William Kidd by Rob Ossian, Website: The Pirate King
Mona, Website: Welcome to Puerto Rico
Mona, Webiste: Mona Island
Wiliiam Kidd, Website: Wikipedia

Image information:
Quedagh Merchant Discovery Dive, Courtesy of Indiana University
Divers for Quedagh Merchant, Websource: UK MailOnLine
Mona Island Cave, Websource: TreasureNet.com
Catalina Island,Websource: Three Best Beaches ~ Dominican Republic Caribbean Islands Map, Websource: Wikipedia
Puerto Rico Map, Websource: World Atlas.com




Additional Note: The author of this storybook does not condone piracy.