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Bowtech’s latest Surveyor-HD (high definition) and Surveyor-SD (standard definition) cameras coupled with state of the art LED lighting and unique portable splashproof HD,SD and sound recording system may have uncovered a lost piece of American / British history in the Irish Sea off the Welsh coast, a shipwreck thought to have belonged to a fleet of American sea raiders.

DeepTrek are a team of experienced subsea specialists in diving, submersibles, and deep water Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV) for the offshore industries have applied these technologies in the search for history for the first time. DeepTrek filmed their search of the coastline near Holyhead, Wales, U.K. for remnants of a shipwreck thought to have been a privateer ship on a mission from Benjamin Franklin to capture British sailors to exchange for American prisoners.

In the late 18th century, Governments (including the U.S.) hired sea raiders to pillage and steal from merchant vessels. They were given a letter of permission to engage in commerce raiding and were known as “privateers”. The Irish Sea was a cauldron of kidnapping, thievery and unrepentant skullduggery. The jagged Welsh coastline was particularly dangerous, many unsuspecting vessels met their doom there.

The film “Ben Franklin’s Pirate Fleet” will air in the United States on Wednesday 6 April as part of “Expedition Week” on The National Geographic Channel at 10pm (ET/PT).

Follow the links for more information on Ben Franklin’s Pirate Fleet