Experience the classical age of piracy come to life at the Saint Louis Science Center in the exhibition Real Pirates. You'll discover the perils and privileges of pirate life as you explore more than 200 artifacts recovered from the wreck of the Whydah—the first fully authenticated pirate ship ever to be discovered in U.S. waters.
Then on April 26, 1717, the perfect storm put an end to her pirating days, and the Whydah sank with most of her crew aboard—as well as the bounty from more than 50 captured ships. Nearly 300 years later, underwater explorer Barry Clifford and his team managed to locate the wreck of the Whydah and painstakingly unearthed her treasures from the ocean floor.
Organized by National Geographic and Arts and Exhibitions International, the exhibition examines the rich history of Caribbean trade routes during the 18th century and the link between the slave trade and piracy. You'll encounter compelling true stories of those who lived aboard the Whydah and learn about the forces that shaped their world.
Throughout the 16,000-square-foot interactive exhibition, you'll have the chance to experience pirate life by learning how to fire a cannon, and more. Treasure chests of gold and jewelry, as well as armories of cannons and swords, help you understand how these men lived and died during the "Golden Age of Piracy."