Île Sainte-Marie Pirate Hoards

The account

For thirty years this little island was the pirates' home port, Kidd, Tew, Condent, all of them, dividing the richest sea-lanes on Earth in one anchorage. Wrecks line the harbor floor; the hills above have never been honestly searched. The cemetery's skull-cut stones face the sea like men still keeping watch.

Leads, where the trail points now

• Where the trail goes cold: Kidd careened and abandoned the Adventure Galley here in 1698; the pirate cemetery still watches the harbor where whole fleets divided plunder. That is where any serious search begins.
• What you are chasing is Caches from the Indian Ocean's pirate haven. Work the documented record of Île Sainte-Marie Pirate Hoards back to primary sources and separate what is attested from folklore before you commit time or money.
• Confirm who owns and governs Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar and get written permission before any search; treat protected or archaeological ground as off limits.