 |  | |
 |
|  |
 |  | |
| | |
|
| |
| | |
|
|
Originally published in 1939
Some of this information may no longer be current and in that case is presented for historical interest only.
Edited by GET NJ, COPYRIGHT 2002
Absecon Island, near Atlantic City, is the wellspring of a group of
semi-supernatural tales centering around Lafitte, Kidd, Teach, and other
buccaneers. During violent storms the islanders are said to have lured
ships onto the dangerous Brigantine shoals in order to plunder them.
The decoy was a lantern hanging from a pole lashed to a jackass, which
was led back and forth. To a ship in the outer waters, the light would
seem that of a vessel peacefully riding out the storm in a harbor. The
shoals completed the work. The inhabitants then put off in boats and
salvaged the cargo of the wrecked boat, taking care to murder any surviving members of the crew. Being deeply religious, the islanders taught
their children to pray that a ship would run aground.
In 1717 pirates were supposed to be "fifteen hundred strong at least"
along the coast, and one ship flying the skull and crossbones off Sandy
Hook was captured by a man-o'-war out of Perth Amboy. Legendary
treasure has been sought in the region, but none has ever been found.
Blackbeard, who roamed along the Delaware, is said to have buried a
treasure at the base of a black walnut tree on Wood Street, in Burlington.
The hoard was guarded by a reckless Spaniard, who let himself be shot
with a charmed bullet and was buried upright. The ghost of a large black
dog that was buried with the man is sometimes seen on the street.
A different sort of treasure is reputed to be buried in the sand pits
near Downer, Gloucester County. Presumably brought there by runaway
slaves as a fund for trips on the Underground Railroad, it will be found
only by the direct descendant of such a slave, at a time when the Negro
race is again in dire need. The treasure is guarded by a giant rabbit, who
digs new hiding places faster than a brace of steam shovels whenever the
hoard is threatened.
|
|
|
Return To |
|
|
