Diary Entry for Day 1:

This is my first night on an exciting two week adventure cruise on the Golden Holly. I stepped on board this afternoon to start the ultimate summer vacation trip with others who share the quest for lost maritime treasure. The heroes and adventurers in ages past sailed the seas bringing treasures of the New World to the Kings and Queens of their homelands. By many accounts, some fortunes were never accounted for by the royal treasurers. Now, many universities are sponsoring research adventure cruises to assist in uncovering the artifacts that were lost at sea and along the coastlines sailed by past explorers.

Here I am, Marie, one of the lucky students to have secured a spot on the Golden Holly, headed for the Caribbean. During my scuba diving training class last year in 2007, I heard about the cruises where I could use my new skills. After receiving my certification, I have been saving all year for this golden opportunity. I, along with other students and faculty on the trip, had to sign a contract to assist in researching historical records and maps while we sail the seas to uncover lost treasures. If we do indeed find any treasures, the university will apportion any monies from the finds to each of us individually, with the greater percentage naturally going to the university.

With so much to be gained, I want to carry my weight. After our Bon-Voyage and Get-To-Know-You parties wound down this evening, it was time to get to the task at hand. Our Captain, Captain Jones conducted the Briefing where strategies were outlined and the Assignments were distributed. My assignment .... read. Students in the History of Pirates course last semester researched past adventures of ancient pirates. Now, I must read and review the historical diaries to confirm with my partner's maps all plausible Caribbean locations we are visiting.

My first reading is from the diary of Sir William Drake, a hero to the English monarchy, a pirate by the Spaniards' standards, and a robber to others. It is truly amazing how historical events change based on the perspective of those who are retelling the event. According to the Captain's briefing, this first diary reading should detail how Drake intercepted the Spanish Silver Train. But, the question is: where is the silver he intercepted?

Among the other diaries to research include none other than the infamous Sir Henry Morgan, Governor of Jamaica, known today for the spirit that bears his name, Captain Morgan's Rum. Recently, it was reported that one of his ships, The Oxford, was found off of Haiti and 7,000 artifacts were discovered. Is there more to be discovered by our own crew?

Another reading that I must research includes the diary of Captain William Kidd. He was also known as Captain Robert Kidd and died a pirate's death, by hanging. However, he hid away much of his fortunes and some of it is being discovered today. In 2007, a crew from Indiana University discovered one of Captain Kidd's ships off the Dominican Republic. The sea mates of the Golden Holly want to unveil the next discovery.

I am excited to see the name of the elusive Jean Lafitte on this last diary. There seem to be so few actual facts known about him because he was reported to be here and there - just about everywhere. One fact that historians can agree upon is that Jean Lafitte was instrumental in aiding General Andrew Jackson defend the United States against the British in the War of 1812 at the Battle of New Orleans. He was also known to be quite wealthy as a privateer-pirate, but did he bury some of his treasures at his old hideouts in the bayous of coastal Louisiana, in Galveston, or on a Caribbean island? Will I find out the answers hidden within this diary?

After I finish researching Drake, Morgan, Kidd, and Lafitte, our crew of the Golden Holly will know the locations on which to concentrate for our archaeological dives. I am so excited. My hands tremble as I begin my work, as I hope to find precious and valuable treasures unveiled in my readings!