Some information about the Whydah Galley

"A detection of the shipwrights new tricks in combination with Captain Ely against lead-sheathing practised upon the Trumbal-Gally in Mr. Wells' Dock, Aug. 31 MDCXCIX. Also an account of the lead-sheathing upon the Weedaw together with a new Publication of the charge thereof, at 12d a foot, Sept. 27, 1699 (Mr. Hale?) London". National Maritime Museum Document #N3654. [Dethlefsen "London Report" 1983]

            The Weedaw Friggot having made her voyage in her Lead-sheathing, to Guinea, and the West-Indies, was brought into Mr. Fowler's Dock at Lime-house, the 19th Instant to be fitted out for the same Voyage again, where anyone may find her sheathing and seams under it, very good and sound...and no cause for stripping, save only...where the shipwright had mixt Elm Plank with the Oaks, which being dated and rotten, was shifted, about a tenth part, which was with little charges new sheath'd with lead: But where upon searching the Plank was sound; and found the seams sound also, and no need of stripping the whole sheathing...The Foe had visited her sheathing two nights before she came into the Dock, but finding themselves discovered by the Watch...after they had torn off about two Foot, they got off to the shoar...

 

[With the possible (phonetic) exception of Captain William Kidd's Quedagh Merchant [e.g. Nye 5.0], this is the earliest known mention of a vessel with some variation of "Whydah" as her name. The question of whether or not The Whydah Galley possessed lead sheathing has not yet been resolved, although wear-patterns of nails from the wreck site indicate the possible presence of some type of outer-hull sheathing]