VADODARA: In 2007, when Indiana University's (IU) Underwater Research projects' director, Prof Charles D Beeker first dived into the shallow sea waters off the Dominican Republic coast to have a look at a 300-year-old shipwreck, he had no inkling that the discovery would one day lead him to Surat.

Beeker not only discovered a treasure trove of 17th century's maritime history of the region, but also got a chance to see 300-year-old ship-building techniques, identical to those that he found in a wreck in the Caribbean sea. Since 2007, he has successfully connected the dots based on his diving expeditions and researches made in the national archives of UK to establish the ship's identity as the same 'Quedagh Merchant' or 'Cara Merchant', which was built in Surat, was owned by Armenians and was the last 'prize' of Privateer, Capt William Kidd, who had caught the imagination of 17th century Britain and Armenia for the circumstances under which he was hanged for commandeering the ship in the Indian ocean.

Beeker, accompanied by Pavel Galoumian-an Armenian physicist and researcher-told the story of his discovery to history buffs, researchers and students of MSU on 'Capt Kidd's 'Quedagh Merchant' on Wednesday evening, here. The address was jointly organized by Darshak Itihaas Nidhi, MSU's history department and The Times of India. But while much has been talked of the "international intrigue" involved in Kidd's case, Beeker would much rather draw the attention of the Indians towards the rich maritime history and heritage that he has seen in India during his ongoing trip.

The Times of India; February 28, 2013