What if Captain Flint's treasures from the famous novel by Robert Stevenson are not fiction at all? Or what if the pirates of the Caribbean are still running the Black pearl? And maybe there is neither one nor the other, but Boa Vista, one of the most mysterious islands of the Cabo Verde African Republic, has its treasures and ship. Whatever the inquisitive mind of travelers may believe, but planes come to the island as often as London underground trains arrive.
The history of the local Black Pearl, a cargo ship called Cabo de Santa Maria, started rather usually. In 1968, a large cargo with valuable goods was bounding to the countries of South America. According to some reports, these were generous gifts from Generalissimo Francisco Franco to the rulers of the foreign allies of Spain. That time, the ship had all the goods, from food and clothing to jewelry and rare cars. It showed how much the Spanish dictator was grateful for the support of his state during the economic crisis.
The ship was so overloaded with heavy machines and boxes with valuable gifts that it ran aground sailing the islands of Cabo Verde. Here, we can see it today. Everything was done to move the stubborn from its place, but all attempts were in vain, and the crew had to abandon their ship. For a year, the islanders, including children, were unloading the cargo and transporting it to the city of Sal Rei. The ship was left on the shores of the Boa Vista Island.
Today, this ship is a symbol of the islands and one of the tourist attractions. The view of the old cargo on a background of fine white sand and sky-blue water fascinates with its contrast and attracts photographers and artists.