The Lizzie J. Bigelow Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Michael: Groundspeak received notice that the land managers want this cache removed. Will the owner please pick it up.
Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Thanks,

Michael LaPaglia
Community Relations Specialist

Groundspeak, Inc.
www.geocaching.com

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Hidden : 4/17/2006
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:


Official records show that the crew of the Lizzie J. Bigelow abandoned ship in violent seas on February 12, 1885. What the records don’t show is what happened in the hours just prior to the catastrophe. Legend has it that before that fateful wreck, pirates pursued the ship wanting to plunder the bounty stowed in its hold.


The famous pirate “Cutthroat Chad”, and his partner in crime “One Eyed Kate” wasted no time once they heard that the Lizzie Bigelow had left port. Gathering together five-and-twenty other souls as hardy and reckless as themselves, they put boldly out to sea in a boat hardly large enough to hold the evil crew. Running down the open river mouth and out into the cold Atlantic, they lay in wait for the prize they felt worth the risk of death in winning.

For a while their luck was steadily against them; their provisions and water began to fail, and they saw nothing before them but starvation or a humiliating return. Yet finally, in the darkening mist of the third night, they sighted their quarry in the distance. Cutthroat Chad, One Eyed Kate and their crew were out numbered five to one. Armed only with small pistols and swords they knew this was their one and their only chance. They were determined to take the Treasure ship or die in the attempt.

The Captain of the Lizzie B, “Lucky Lindsay” sat below decks enjoying a bon voyage feast prepared by the ship’s cook “Mama Mia.” Captain Lindsay suspected nothing of the impending attack. Her concern focused on the ferocious storm that lay between her and a safe port of refuge.

The pirates bore through the dusk of the night, and silently pulled up along flank the Brigantine Schooner. They tied their craft to the stern, and swarmed up the side of the unsuspecting ship. The desperate pirates stormed upon the decks in a torrent, pistols in one hand and cutlasses in the other.

Captain Lindsay, heard the raucous and immediately knew what the murderous pirates sought. The precious gold doubloons she had been entrusted to deliver to the ship’s owner "Sir Hercules" in England. Thinking quickly, Lucky Lindsay pulled Mama Mia aside. Thrusting a small treasure box into her arms Lindsay whispered the following instructions to Mia. “Take this secret box and two of the crew, find the pirates own dory and row to land.” Mama Mia scared, but with bravery beyond her years, stealthily escaped with the hidden treasure.

Mia and the two crew members Tito and Zoe rowed as hard as they could, but the storm was getting worse, they were still far from land. Waves started to swamp the boat, the crew shivered in the frigid water.

Meanwhile Lucky Lindsay battled Cutthroat Chad in a fierce duel of swords. One Eyed Kate searched below for the riches that they hunted. The oncoming storm pulled the ship farther out to sea and ripped holes into the unmanned sails. Part of the pirate crew found the gun room and set fire to the weapons and gun powder. Little did they know their own small vessel was long gone. The explosion blew apart the beams below deck and the ship became fatally wounded.

Mia found herself alone now, the last large wave had washed her small crew overboard. She tied herself to the oarlocks and hung on for dear life. Hours later, she woke from a daze to a large “THUMMP” the long boat had landed, badly wrecked but in one piece. Her strength waning she crawled out of the boat and found a suitable place to hide the treasure box. With her last breath, she covered her tracks and fell back inside the water logged boat.

Legend states that the lost treasure still lies concealed on the banks of the river not far from the shipwrecked dory. Those adventurous enough to uncover the secret hiding place can add to the legend with their own logs of discovery.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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