Pirates of the Recherche Archipelago

Pirates Down Under? Aye, matey!

John 'Black Jack' Anderson was an African-American sealer turned pirate. His nefarious haven was Middle Island, so named because it is located roughly in the middle of the Recherche Archipelago. The island is blessed with anchorages offering shelter from all directions, plus an abundant supply of food, in the form of sea lions and fur seals, as well as freshwater.

I sailed to Middle Island in January 2025, which you can read about here. After learning of this piratical piece of Australian history, I decided to leave behind a small treasure.

I composed the following poem to offer some clues as to its location.

In the isles where the southern winds blow,
There's an island in the middle, you know.
Where the land clasps the sea like a lock,
And the waves gently rock,
Schooner mast height, where riches do go.

On a beach, where the fine sand does gleam,
Find a cave, an elf's hidden dream.
There, 'neath the cold stone,
Black Jack's wealth is shown,
If you follow this adventurous scheme.

I’ve given away the name of the island already, but here’s one more hint. The poem refers to a very short elf, not a tall one, so don't go looking for a large cave. Look for a small-elf-sized cave.

Best of luck finding the treasure!

OVER

PS This post celebrates International Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19th)