About the Whydah Gally Wooden Scale Model Ship

This model ship of the Whydah Gally was custom built from the following information:

• The original construction drawings of the Whydah passenger and cargo vessel optained from the National Maritime Museum.
• Photographs and information obtained from the Whydah Pirate Museum in West Yarmouth Massachusetts.
• The book ‘Seamanship in the Age of Sail’ by John Harland.

 About the construction of the Whydah Gally Wooden Scale Model Ship

• The hull is built using the Double Plank-on-Bulkhead construction method
• The bulkheads and keel are cut from marine grade pine plywood
• The first layer of planking is done plank by plank using Mahogany planks
• The second layer of planking is done using Mahogany Veneer strips
• The deck is made of Anagre, a light brown timber from the Amazon
• The hull is sheathed with real copper plates below the waterline
• The gunwale and stringers are made of American Walnut
• The fife rails and pin racks are made of American Walnut
• The deckhouses and gangways are made of Teak
• The masts and yards are made of Mahogany dowels
• The sails and ropes are made of linen
• The model is painted with acrylic paint
• The ornaments are cold cast in bronze and painted         

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Whydah Gally Ship

The Whydah Gally Pirate ship of Black Sam Bellamy.

The Whydah Gally was a notorious pirate ship that sailed during the Golden Age of Piracy in the early 18th century. Its history is fascinating and includes stories of piracy, plunder, and shipwreck.

The Whydah Gally was originally built as a slave ship in 1715 by the British in London, England. It was named after the West African kingdom of Whydah, which was known for its involvement in the slave trade. The ship was armed with 18 cannons, making it a formidable vessel for its time.

In 1717, the Whydah Gally was captured by the pirate captain Samuel “Black Sam” Bellamy, who was known for his daring exploits and charismatic leadership. Bellamy transformed the Whydah Gally into his flagship, outfitting it with more cannons and making it one of the most feared pirate ships in the Caribbean.

Under Bellamy’s command, the Whydah Gally went on a notorious pirating spree, capturing numerous ships and accumulating a vast fortune in stolen treasure, including gold, silver, and precious jewels. The ship became a symbol of Bellamy’s success and a legend among pirates.

However, the Whydah Gally’s reign as a pirate ship was short-lived. In April 1717, while sailing off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, the ship encountered a powerful storm and was wrecked. Bellamy and most of his crew perished in the wreck, along with the stolen treasure of the Whydah Gally.

For many years, the wreck of the Whydah Gally lay undiscovered, until it was eventually located in 1984 by underwater explorer Barry Clifford. The discovery of the Whydah Gally and its treasure has yielded valuable insights into the history and culture of the Golden Age of Piracy, and the ship and its story continue to capture the imagination of historians, archaeologists, and treasure hunters alike. Many artifacts from the Whydah Gally, including cannons, coins, and personal items belonging to the pirates, have been recovered from the wreck and are now displayed in museums, providing a tangible link to this fascinating chapter in maritime history.

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