Exploring the Early Americas

The Jay I. Kislak Collection

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Pirates and Privateers

Items from a Spanish Treasure Ship Items from a Spanish Treasure Ship

During the centuries of Spanish exploration and colonization, “treasure fleets” made regular trips to the Americas to deliver merchandise and collect treasures and precious metals. As these cargos increased in size and value, so did the risk of capture and theft. Foreign navies, privateers (commissioned agents sent out against the enemies of states), and pirates threatened, attacked, and plundered the ships of the treasure fleets.

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