The Case:
In 1817, pirates and privateers ruled the rugged seas of the gulf coast.
Chief among them was Jean Lafitte, the so-called "Prince of Pirates."
A fearless cutthroat in a cutthroat's world, Lafitte was known to take no prisoners.
His ruthlessness was legend, but he was also an ingenious privateer, and a war hero.
A Texan library is donated a spyglass said to be handed down from Lafitte to his ship captain, James Campbell, who was Texas City’s first settler.
Was James Campbell really a pirate? And is it possible that this spyglass could have been a gift from Lafitte to Campbell?
Season 1, Episode 7
Detective:
Tukufu Zuberi
Detective:
Wes Cowan
Location:Texas City, Texas
Related Content
Feature:
Technique:
Explore
-
Also with Wes Cowan
Jigsaw Puzzle
Does this puzzle depict a real event - women playing contact sports in the late 19th century?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
John Brown Letters
How is this woman in Sacramento related to John Brown, the 19th-century abolitionist?
-
Also with Tukufu Zuberi
Birth Control Box
Could this unusual wooden box be an early contraceptive device?
-
Also in this episode
Mexican Currency
What role did this money play in the Mexican Revolution?
-
Also in Expansion: 1801-1861
Long Expedition
Is this the site of the one of the most significant expeditions in the United States?
-
Also in Season 1
Witch's House
Could this house have once belonged to a woman executed during the Salem Witch trials?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.