Tag: Seafaring

Treasure of the Caribbean: the Legend of Governor’s Gold (episode 123)

Sir William Phips was the first royal governor of Massachusetts under the charter of William and Mary.  As governor, he would implement the notorious Court of Oyer and Terminer that led to the executions of 20 innocent people during the Salem witch hysteria.  But long before he was a royal governor, he was a poor shepherd boy in rural Maine, who dreamed of Spanish gold.  Eventually, he made that dream a reality, leading one of the most successful treasure hunts in history and amassing one of the continent’s greatest fortunes.


Continue reading Treasure of the Caribbean: the Legend of Governor’s Gold (episode 123)

Boston’s Barons of the Sea (episode 89)

In this week’s episode, we sit down with author Steven Ujifusa to discuss his new book Barons of the Sea, and Their Race to Build the World’s Fastest Clipper Ship, which will be out this Tuesday, July 17.  Steven will tell us about 19th century drug smuggling, what it meant to trade for tea in China or gold in California, and why America’s most prominent families were involved in the shipping business. Most of all, he’ll tell us about the East Boston shipyard where Donald McKay built the fastest, most graceful ships the world had ever seen.  


Continue reading Boston’s Barons of the Sea (episode 89)

Episode 34: Boston in the Golden Age of Piracy, part 1

Shiver me timbers!  This is the first in a two-part series about Boston’s role in the Golden Age of Piracy, from 1650 to 1726.  A few pirates set sail from our city, some preyed on the shipping coming in and out of our port, and even more met their ends on the gallows in Boston.  We’ll hear stories of daring raids and buried treasures, of mutiny, jailbreak, and double crossing.

Continue reading Episode 34: Boston in the Golden Age of Piracy, part 1