Mulberry Island Pirate Gold — James River

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Mulberry Island Pirate Gold — James River

Lost Treasure VA • Newport News / James City County
Description
James River legend of iron-clamped chests buried among five trees on Mulberry Island — now Joint Base Langley-Eustis — per a Madagascar pirate confession.
Historical Notes
A 1954 news story triggered treasure fever on Mulberry Island on the James River's north bank. A pirate letter from Madagascar described considerable sums buried among five trees facing the landing. Daily Press archives note unsuccessful digs on the military reservation. Virginia Places maps the island as a plausible isolated burying ground upriver from Hampton Roads. Access restrictions today make the legend more folklore than active hunt — but the five-tree clue persists in Tidewater treasure circles.
Status / Verification legend — Legendary or approximate

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