Cincinnati to host pirate ship display

A five-year U.S. tour featuring artifacts from an 18th century pirate ship will make its debut at the Cincinnati Museum Center, organizers announced.

The exhibit, opening June 30 and running here into early 2008, is titled: "Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship."

The exhibit was organized by National Geographic and Arts and Exhibitions International, the Aurora, Ohio, company that has organized major exhibits about King Tut, the Titanic and other historical topics.

Built as a slave ship but captured by pirate captain Sam Bellamy, the Whydah sank in a storm off Cape Cod, Mass., in April 1717. It was located by underwater explorer Barry Clifford in 1984. Some artifacts have been displayed at the small Whydah Museum in Massachusetts, but this tour will be the first public exhibit for many of the hundreds of pieces recovered from the wreck, organizers said.

Among artifacts planned for the exhibit are the ship's bell and anchor, pirate dress items, cannons, swords and guns, and coins and jewelry. Multimedia presentations will also help recreate the ship's history.

Organizers said the rest of the tour schedule isn't yet final.

Rodger Pille, Cincinnati Museum Center spokesman, said a strong response, including visitors from far outside this region, is expected for the exhibit.

The "Real Pirates" exhibit opening will follow the opening of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," the third in the blockbuster movie series starring Johnny Depp.

Details at http://www.piratesexhibit.com or http://www.cincymuseum.org.

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