Plenty of legends speak of pirates around these parts in the days when they sailed the high seas, but what's the truth? This week, we start with the legend of a supposed treasure island right off Wrightsville Beach, aptly dubbed Money Island. Then, underwater arcaheologist John "Billy Ray" Morris III joins to discuss fact vs. fiction on the Cape Fear's history with piracy.

Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram.

Additional editing by Adam Fish. Recorded at WHQR in downtown Wilmington.

A StarNews Media Production. This season is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry.

Sources:

"Money Island," Andrew J. Howell

"Land of the Golden River: Historical Events and Stories of Southeastern North Carolina and the Lower Cape Fear, Vol. 1," by Lewis Philip Hall

"The Inner Islands," by Bland Simpson

"Stories of Old Wilmington and Cape Fear," by Louis T. Moore

"The Legend of Money Island" in Wrightsville Beach Magazine, by Susan Taylor Block

"The Coastal Chronicles, Vol. 1," edited by Jack E. Fryar Jr.