Josh Gates: ”We Found a $1Million Dollar Treasure! | Expedition Unknown

INTRO

Minutes ago, on “Expedition Unknown,” Josh Gates said they found Captain Morgan’s long-hidden gold! Back in the sixteen hundreds, the English government let Morgan attack Spanish places in the Caribbean to stop their power. His biggest raid was on Portobello, Panama, which made him very famous. Historian Juan David Morgan shows us more about the real Captain Morgan, a man driven by his dreams of adventure and ruling the seas. Tune in, as we explore the exciting details Josh Gates found about Captain Morgan’s secret treasure!

The Unseen Strategy Behind a Pirate’s Triumph

His rise to fame really began with his bold attack on Panama, particularly in the town of Portobello. One historian, Juan David Morgan, offers a fresh take on him, showing us the man behind the legend. To understand him as a person, we have to look beyond the stories of his battles and victories.

From a young age, he dreamed of mastering the seas and living a life of adventure. He wanted to control his own destiny at a time when the ocean was where fortunes were made. But despite his ambition, he wasn’t as skilled at sailing as you might expect. In fact, his lack of navigation skills led to the sinking of three ships. This might come as a surprise because we often think of him as a master of the seas. However, it wasn’t his ability at sea that made him famous—it was his strategy on land.

As night fell, he stood on the deck, his eyes fixed through the fog. Despite his past failures and the sunken ships haunting him, a fierce determination burned within him.

His real talent lay in planning attacks on land, and one of his most successful moves was his surprise attack on Portobello in sixteen sixty-six. The Spanish, who controlled the town, didn’t expect an attack from land, thinking they were well-protected by the sea. But he and his men approached by land, sneaking in undetected. They disembarked several miles away from the town and attacked from the rear, catching the Spanish forces completely off guard.

This clever strategy allowed him to capture the town with ease, earning him and his crew a significant fortune, while also sending a clear message to the Spanish. The governor in nearby Panama City had no choice but to give in to his demands, and so he left Portobello, not only rich but also without facing any real resistance. This victory wasn’t just about making money—it was part of his larger plan to weaken Spanish power in the Caribbean.

With Portobello behind him, he set his sights on another key Spanish fortress, Fort San Lorenzo. This fort was important because it protected the treasure routes from South America and the Pacific, which brought great wealth to Spain. Controlling this fort was essential for the Spanish to keep their riches safe from attacks by pirates, privateers, and rival nations. For him, capturing Fort San Lorenzo was another step in his mission to disrupt the Spanish Empire.

The tale of Fort San Lorenzo carries whispers of an even greater mystery—the potential resting place of the flagship known as Satisfaction, which remains lost to the annals of history. Uncovering this ship would mark a significant find, not just for its historical significance, but also for the potential insights it could provide into the maritime exploits in the Caribbean.

The quest to unearth the truth about this legendary vessel has captured the attention of many, including Fritz Hanselman and his team from Texas State University. Their dedicated search for Satisfaction could unveil critical details about the operations that once dominated these waters, shedding light on a pivotal era in naval history. After the battle, we see how Captain Morgan cleverly captured Fort San Lorenzo.

A Bastion of Treasure and Tragedy

Now, let’s talk a bit more about Fort San Lorenzo. This fortress was designed to keep attackers like him at bay, and it was heavily fortified to protect Spanish treasure ships as they traveled through the region. But once again, his land-based strategies came into play. Instead of attacking the fort from the sea, which the Spanish would have expected, he sent three ships with nearly five hundred men to approach from the land. This clever move took the Spanish by surprise.

But this wasn’t the worst part for the Spanish defenders. One of his men fired a flaming arrow into the fort, setting off the ammunition stores. The resulting explosion was massive, and it completely wiped out the Spanish forces, allowing him to take control of the fort. This lucky shot turned the tide of the battle and secured another major victory for him. The fort, once thought to be impenetrable, fell to a combination of his clever tactics and a bit of good fortune.

Captain Henry Morgan’s story is full of bold moves, clever strategies, and unexpected turns. He wasn’t just out for himself—though getting rich was definitely part of his plan—he was also on a mission to undermine Spain’s power in the Caribbean. His ability to think on his feet, his daring land-based attacks, and his willingness to take big risks made him one of the most successful privateers of his time. Even though his naval skills might not have been top-notch, his leadership and cunning on land were unmatched.

But even though he’s remembered as a hero by some, he was also a ruthless opportunist. He wasn’t afraid to threaten cities with destruction or demand huge ransoms in exchange for sparing them. His raids, like the one on Portobello, weren’t just about winning battles—they were about sending a message. He wanted to show the Spanish that their grip on the Caribbean was not as strong as they thought.

He was a man driven by ambition, a clever strategist who understood how to use surprise and boldness to his advantage. His story continues to capture our imagination, not only because of his successes but because he represents a time when the seas were wild, and fortune favored those who were willing to take big risks. His legacy lives on, both in the history books and in the modern world, where he remains a legendary figure from the golden age of piracy.

His Streak of Good Fortune Didn’t Last Forever

It all came crashing down in a series of unfortunate events. His flagship, The Satisfaction, ran aground on the dangerous La Joss Reef, a place known for its sharp rocks and treacherous waters. After that, things got even worse. Four more of his ships met the same fate, one by one, smashing against the rocks. The ships were lost, disappearing beneath the waves, leaving behind nothing but wreckage. He barely escaped with his life, but his fleet was destroyed, and the exact location of the wrecks is still a mystery today, marked by the churning waters where the waves crash over the reef.

With the fort taken, Morgan next faces the dangers of the Chagras River.

Morgan’s Journey Down the Chagras River

For centuries, people have speculated about the final destinations of these ships, hoping to unearth treasures or glimpses into history. Today, an exploration is set to take place near the Chagras River, where the Embora Indians reside. This river is historically significant, serving as a key route for transporting goods between Panama City and the coast. It is often considered a precursor to the Panama Canal.

After losing his ships, Morgan mustered an imposing force of about one thousand five hundred pirates and embarked on a grueling expedition along this river, venturing deep into the jungle toward Panama City. The terrain was formidable, characterized by dense rainforests echoing with the calls of howler monkeys, and small bands of Spanish soldiers frequently ambushed them.

The journey was exhausting and dangerous for the pirates. The jungle was dense, and the Spanish soldiers made it even more challenging with their surprise attacks. At the same time, the Spanish Empire was busy conquering and enslaving native populations across the Americas. History doesn’t tell us much about how the captain interacted with the indigenous people along his route. Some believe he didn’t care much for diplomacy, preferring to take what he needed by force. The captain instructed his men to travel light, knowing they could seize food and supplies from the locals as they moved forward.

The repercussions of the land invasion were profound and lasting, not just from pirates but from European forces as a whole. These invasions left many native communities in a dire struggle for survival, having faced attacks or been enslaved by these outsiders. There was curiosity regarding whether the tale of the captain persisted in the indigenous memory even to this day.

Upon Arrival to Meet the Embora People

An unexpectedly warm reception was extended. Instead of anticipated tension or distance, the locals welcomed with open arms, exuding kindness and hospitality. Suddenly, one found themselves engulfed in a spirited celebration, replete with dancing and music. What initially seemed a mere greeting was actually a wedding celebration, revealing a joyous event marked by community and togetherness. This spirited dance was not just entertainment but a significant cultural tradition marking new beginnings, illustrating their open-hearted nature in welcoming outsiders into their fold.

The contrast between this vibrant celebration and the violent historical backdrop was stark, underscoring their enduring resilience and their capacity to embrace the future despite a turbulent past.

In the quietude of a small hut, seated alongside an elder and his son, the atmosphere shifted to one of reflection. Expressing gratitude for the hospitality received, inquiries were made about the captain, a man of lore who once navigated the river flowing through their homeland. This interaction underscored a deep connection to their past even as they looked ahead, embracing newcomers with the same vigor as their ancestors might have, despite the shadows of history.

The elder, thoughtful and patient, spoke slowly, revealing the weight of history in his words. “We’ve faced many hardships because of him,” he said, hinting at the long-lasting effects the captain and his men had on the local communities.

But even though they faced so many challenges, the people survived, finding a way to celebrate and maintain their way of life, even as the world around them changed. The clash of history—the pirates, the treasure, the rebellion—was now a part of their legacy.