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THE LIVES AND ADVENTURES
OF SUNDRY
NOTORIOUS PIRATES
[Illustration]
PIRATES
_With a _Foreword_ and sundry _Decorations_ by_
C. Lovat Fraser
[Illustration]
_NEW YORK:_
ROBERT M. McBRIDE AND COMPANY
1922
_First American Edition_
_Printed in the United States of America_
_Printed in Great Britain by Billing and Sons, Ltd., Guildford and
Esher._
[Illustration: CAPTAIN AVERY]
[Illustration]
CONTENTS
PAGE
Foreword vii
The Life of Captain Avery 1
Captain John Rackham, and his Crew 17
Captain Spriggs, and his Crew 29
Captain Edward Lowe, and his Crew 37
Captain George Lowther, and his Crew 51
Captain Anstis, and his Crew 65
Captain John Phillips, and his Crew 77
Captain Teach, _alias_ Blackbeard 87
Major Stede Bonnet and his Crew 101
Captain William Kid 117
Captain Edward England, and his Crew 135
Captain John Gow, _alias_ Smith, and his Crew 145
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Captain Avery _frontispiece_
Captain John Rackham _facing page_ 19
Captain Edward Lowe " 39
Captain Teach " 89
Major Stede Bonnet " 103
Captain William Kid " 119
Captain Edward England " 137
Captain John Gow " 147
[Illustration]
FOREWORD
Time, though a good Collector, is not always a reliable Historian.
That is to say, that although nothing of interest or importance is
lost, yet an affair may be occasionally invested with a glamour that
is not wholly its own. I venture to think that Piracy has fortuned in
this particular. We are apt to base our ideas of Piracy on the
somewhat vague ambitions of our childhood; and I suppose, were such a
thing possible, the consensus of opinion in our nurseries as to a
future profession in life would place Piracy but little below the
glittering heights of the police force and engine-driving. Incapable
of forgetting this in more mature years, are we not inclined to deck
Her (the "H" capital, for I speak of an ideal), if not in purple and
fine linen, at least with a lavish display of tinsel and gilt? Nursery
lore remains with us, whether we would or not, for all our lives; and
generations of ourselves, as schoolboys and pre-schoolboys, have
tricked out Piracy in so resplendent a dress that she has fairly
ousted in our affections, not only her sister profession of "High Toby
and the Road," but every other splendid and villainous vocation. Yet
Teach, Kid, and Avery were as terrible or grim as Duval, Turpin, and
Sheppard were courtly or whimsical. And the terrible is a more vital
affair than the whimsical. Is it, then, unnatural that, after a lapse
of nigh on two centuries, we should shake our wise heads and allow
that which is still nursery within us to deplore the loss of those
days when we ran--before a favouring "Trade"--the very good chance of
being robbed, maimed, or murdered by Captain Howel Davis or Captain
Neil Gow? It is as well to remember that the "Captains" in this book
were seamen whose sole qualifications to the title were ready wit, a
clear head, and, maybe, that certain indefinable "power of the eye"
that is the birth-right of all true leaders. The piratical hero of our
childhood is traceable in a great extent to the "thrillers," toy
plays, and penny theatres of our grandfathers. Here our Pirate was, as
often as not, a noble, dignified, if gloomy gentleman, with a leaning
to Byronic soliloquy. Though stern in exterior, his heart could (and
would) melt at the distresses of the heroine. Elvira's eyes were
certain to awaken in his mind the recollection of "other eyes as
innocent as thine, child." In short, he was that most touching of all
beings, the Hero-cum-Villain. And it was with a sigh of relief that we
saw him at the eleventh hour, having successfully twitted the
"Government Men" and the Excise (should he have an additional penchant
for smuggling), safely restored to the arms of the long-suffering
possessor of the other eyes.
Alas! this little book mentions no Poll of Portsmouth, nor does it
favour us with a "Yeo, heave, oh!" nor is there so very much "cut and
thrust" about it. It was written in that uninspiring day when Pirates
were a very real nuisance to such law-abiding folk as you and I; but
it has the merit of being written, if not by a Pirate, at least by one
who came into actual contact with them. I am not at all sure that
"merit" is the right word to use in this instance, for to be a Pirate
does not necessarily ensure you making a good author. Indeed, it might
almost be considered as a ban to the fine literary technique of an
Addison or a Temple. It has, however, the virtue of being in close
touch with some of the happenings chronicled. Not that our author saw
above a tithe of what he records--had he done so he would have been
"set a-sun-drying" at Execution Dock long before he had had the
opportunity of putting pen to paper; but, as far as posterity was
concerned, he was lucky in his friend William Ingram--evidently a
fellow of good memory and a ready tongue--"who," as our author states
in his Preface, "was a Pirate under Anstis, Roberts, and many others,"
and who eventually was hanged in good piratical company on the 11th
of June, 1714.
The actual history of the little book, the major part of which is here
reprinted, is as follows:
Its full title is "The History and Lives of all the most Notorious
Pirates and their Crews," and the fifth edition, from which our text
is taken, was printed in 1735. A reproduction of the original
title-page is given overleaf.
As a matter of fact, the title is misleading. How could a book that
makes no mention of Morgan or Lollonois be a history of _all_ the most
notorious Pirates? It deals with the last few years of the seventeenth
century and the first quarter of the eighteenth, a period that might
with justice be called "The Decline and Fall of Piracy," for after
1730 Piracy became but a mean broken-backed affair that bordered
perilously on mere sea-pilfering.
[Illustration: THE
HISTORY _and_ LIVES
Of all the most Notorious
PIRATES,
AND THEIR
CREWS;
From Capt. AVERY, who first settled at _Madagascar_, to Captain _John
Gow_, and _James Williams_, his Lieutenant, _&c._ who were hang'd at
_Execution Dock_, _June_ 11, 1725, for Piracy and Murther; and
afterwards hang'd in Chains between _Blackwall_ and _Deptford_. And in
this Edition continued down to the present Year 1735.
Giving a more full and true Account than any yet Publish'd, of all
their Murthers, Piracies, Maroonings, Places of Refuge, and Ways of
Living.
The Fifth Edition.
Adorned with Twenty Beautiful CUTS, being the Representation of each
Pirate.
To which is prefixed, _An Abstract of the Laws against Piracy_.
LONDON: Printed for _A. Bettesworth_ and _C. Hitch_, at the _Red Lyon_
in _Pater-noster-Row_; _R. Ware_, at the _Sun_ and _Bible_ in
_Amen-Corner_; and _J. Hodges_, at the _Looking-glass_ on
_London-bridge_. 1735.]
A little research into the book's history shows us that it is
consistent throughout, and that it is a "piracy," in the publisher's
sense of the word, of a much larger and more pretentious work by
Captain Charles Johnson, entitled, "A General History of the Pyrates
from their first Rise and Settlement in the Island of Providence to
the Present Time; With the Remarkable Actions and Adventures of the
two Female Pyrates Mary Read and Anne Bonny."
This was published in London, in 8vo., by Charles Rivington in 1724. A
second edition, considerably augmented, was issued later in the same
year, a third edition in the year following, and a fourth edition--in
two volumes, as considerable additions in the form of extra "Lives,"
and an appendix necessitated a further volume--in 1725.
This two-volume edition contained the history of the following
Pirates: Avery, Martel, Teach, Bonnet, England, Vane, Rackham, Davis,
Roberts, Anstis, Morley, Lowther, Low, Evans, Phillips, Spriggs,
Smith, Misson, Bowen, Kid, Tew, Halsey, White, Condent, Bellamy, Fly,
Howard, Lewis, Cornelius, Williams, Burgess, and North, together with
a short abstract on the Statute and Civil Law in relation to
"Pyracy," and an appendix, completing the Lives in the first volume,
and correcting some mistakes.
The work evidently enjoyed a great vogue, for it was translated into
Dutch by Robert Hannebo, of Amsterdam, in 1727, and issued there, with
several "new illustrations," in 12mo. A German version by Joachim
Meyer was printed at Gosslar in the following year, while in France it
saw the light as an appendix to an edition of Esquemeling's "Histoire
des Avanturiers," 1726.
But little is known of the author, Captain Charles Johnson, excepting
that he flourished from 1724 to 1736, and it is more than probable
that the name by which we know him is an assumed one. It is possible
that his knowledge of Pirates and Piracy was of such a nature to have
justified awkward investigations on the part of His Majesty's
Government.
There is one thing that we do know for certain about him, and that is
that the worthy Captain's spelling, according to the pirated version
of his book, was indefinite even for his own day. He was one of those
inspired folk who would be quite capable of spelling "schooner" with
three variations in as many lines. In this edition the spelling has
been more or less modernized.
Lastly, it is to be remembered that the ships of this period,
according to our modern ideas, would be the veriest cockle-shells, and
so that we should know what manner of vessel he refers to in these
pages, I had recourse to a friend of mine whose knowledge of things
nautical is extensive enough to have gained for him the coveted "Extra
Master's Certificate," and who was kind enough to supply me with the
following definitions:
[Illustration: SLOOP.
A vessel rigged as a cutter, but with one head-sail only set on a very
short bowsprit.]
[Illustration: SCHOONER. TOPSAIL SCHOONER.
Two-masted vessels, fore and aft rigged, sometimes having square
topsails on the fore-mast.]
[Illustration: BRIGANTINE.
A two-masted vessel, square rigged on fore-mast.]
GALLEY.
A large vessel rowed by oars and sometimes having auxiliary sail of
various rigs.
PINK.
Probably a small, fast vessel used as a tender and despatch boat for
river work.
[Illustration: SNOW.
A two-masted vessel with a stay, known as a "Horse," from the
main-mast to the poop on which the trysail was set. Sometimes a spar
was fitted instead of a stay. The rig was most likely of a brig
(_i.e._, a two-masted ship, square sails on both masts), and the
triangular trysail set on the stay in bad weather or when hove to.]
C. L. F.
[Illustration]
THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN AVERY
He was the son of _John Avery_, a victualler near _Plymouth_, in
_Devonshire_, who in a few years was grown as opulent in his purse as
in his body, by scoring two for one; and when he had so done, drinking
the most of the liquor himself. By which means, and having a handsome
wife, who knew her business as well as if she had been brought up to
it from a child (which, indeed, she mostly was, her mother keeping the
House before she married _Mr. Avery_), they soon became very rich and
very able to give credit to a whole ship's crew upon their tickets,
which in those days were sold for less than half their value.
Having but one child (afterwards the Captain), they at first resolved
to bring him up a scholar, that he might advance the dignity of the
family. But instead of learning his book, he was taught by such
companions that he could soon swear to every point of his compass,
which was a very diverting scene for the Boatswain and his crew, who
were then drinking in the kitchen, having just received ten pounds
apiece short allowance money on board the _Revenge_, every farthing of
which they spent before leaving the house.
But as soon as their money was spent, they were all like to have been
imprisoned by their Landlady for a riot, as she called it, so they
were soon glad to sheer off, and he thought himself happiest that
could get first aboard. Indeed, it would have been happy for them if
they had, for the ship was unmoored and gone to sea; which put the
Boatswain and his crew swearing in earnest, and not knowing what to
do, they resolved to return to their Landlady, _Mrs. Avery_, at "the
Sign of the _Defiance_." But she shut them out of doors, calling them
a parcel of beggarly rascals, and swearing that if they would not go
from the door she would send for the Constable; and notwithstanding
all the entreaties and tears of her only son, who was then about six
years of age, she could not be prevailed upon to let them in, so they
were obliged to stroll about the street all night. In the morning,
spying the ship at anchor, being driven back by contrary winds, they
resolved to make the best of their way aboard; but on the way, whom
should they meet but young _Avery_, who had no sooner seen them, but
he cried after them. "Zounds," says the Boatswain, "let's take the
young dog aboard, and his mother shall soon be glad to adjust the
reckoning more to our satisfaction before she shall have her son."
This was agreed upon by all hands, and the boy was as willing as any
of them. So, stepping into the boat, in about an hour's time they
reached the ship, which they had no sooner boarded but they were
brought before the Captain, who, being in want of hands, contented
himself with bidding them all go to their business; for the wind
turned about, and there was occasion for all hands to be at work to
carry out the ship.
All this while young _Avery_ was at the heels of the Boatswain, and
was observed to swear two oaths to one of the Boatswain's; which being
soon observed by the Captain, he inquired who brought that young
rascal aboard.
To which the Boatswain replied that he did, that the boy's mother was
his Landlady on shore, and he had taken him up in jest, but was afraid
that they would now have to keep him in earnest.
When the hurry was a little over, the Captain commanded the boy to be
brought to him in his cabin. He had not talked long to him before he
took a fancy to him, telling him that if he would be a good boy, he
should live with him.
He, being a mighty lover of children, would often divert himself by
talking to the boy, till at length he took such a fancy to him, that
he ordered him a little hammock in his own cabin, and none were so
great as the Captain and his boy _Avery_, which had like to have
proved very fatal to him; for Avery one night, observing the Captain
to be very drunk with some passengers that were on board, got a
lighted match and had like to have blown up the ship, had not the
Gunner happened accidentally to follow him into the store-room. This
made the Captain ever after very shy of his new Acquaintance, and
_Avery_, after he had been well whipped, was ordered down into the
hold, where he remained until they arrived at _Carolina_, which
happened four or five days after.
The boy was given to a merchant, who, taking a fancy to him, put him
to school; but he made so little progress in learning, and committed
so many unlucky tricks, that the merchant, in about three years,
shipped him off to his friends at _Plymouth_ on board the _Nonesuch_,
where he was no sooner arrived but his mother was overjoyed with the
sight of her son, his father being dead about a month before his
arrival.
And, indeed, it was thought the loss of their son broke his heart, for
it was observed the father never held up his head after, the
neighbours often reflecting upon him for his ill-usage of the seamen,
who had spent so much money at his house; saying he could never expect
that all his ill-gotten riches could prosper him, which so happened,
as you shall hear presently. For his mother, dying soon after, the boy
was left under the guardianship of one Mr. _Lightfoot_, a merchant,
who, having great losses at sea, became a bankrupt, and so young
_Avery_ was left to look out after himself; there he continued for
many years in pilfering and stealing till the country was too hot for
him, when he betook him to sea again, where in time he became as
famous for robbing as _Cromwell_ for rebellion.
He entered himself on board the _Duke_, Captain _Gibson_ Commander,
being one of the two ships of twenty-four guns and one hundred men
which were fitted out by the merchants of _Bristol_ for the service of
_Spain_, which they had no sooner done, but they were ordered by their
agents at _Bristol_ to sail for the _Groyne_ to receive their orders.
On board one of which ships _Avery_, being at this time above twenty
years old, entered himself, where he had not been long before he
observed the Captain was much addicted to drunkenness.
He endeavoured to spirit up not only his own ship's crew, but having
also given the word to part of the other ship's crew, the conspirators
gave the signal.
At which the _Duchess_, as the other ship was named, put off her
longboat; which the conspirators hailing were answered by the men in
the boat, "Is your drunken Boatswain on board?" This being the word
agreed upon, Avery answered, "All is safe;" upon which twenty lusty
fellows came aboard and joined them, which they had no sooner done but
they secured the hatches and went to work, putting to sea without any
disorder, although there were several ships in the bay, amongst whom
was a frigate of forty-four guns.
The Captain, by this time being awaked by the noise of the
conspirators working the ship, rung the bell, inquiring what was the
matter, to whom _Avery_ and some of the crew replied, "Nothing. Are
you mutinous in your cups? Can't you lie down, sleep, and be quiet?"
"No," saith the Captain. "I am sure something's the matter with the
ship. Does she drive? What weather is it? Is it a storm?"
Saith _Avery_: "Cannot you lie quiet while you are quiet? I tell you
all's well; we are at sea in a fair wind and good weather."
"At sea," saith the Captain; "that can't be."
"Be not frightened," saith Avery, "and I'll tell you. You must note, I
am now the Captain of the ship; nay, you must turn out, for this is my
cabin, and I am bound for _Madagascar_, to make my own fortune as well
as my companions."
The Captain, being more terrified than ever, did not know what to say,
which _Avery_ perceiving, bid him take heart. "For," saith he, "if you
will join me and these brave fellows, my companions, in time you may
get some post under me. If not, step into the longboat and get about
your business."
This the Captain was glad to hear, but yet began to expostulate with
them upon the injustice of such doings. Saith _Avery_: "What do I
care? Every man for himself. Come, come, Captain, if you will go, get
you gone; the longboat waits for you, and if there be any more cowards
in the ship, you may all go together." Which words so affrighted the
whole crew, that there was not above nine or ten of them that durst
venture, who made the best of their way to the shore as fast as they
could, and thought they were well off.
The Captain was no sooner gone, but they called a Council, which
agreed to own _Avery_ as their Captain; which he accepted of with all
humility imaginable, seeming to excuse himself on account of his
inexperience at sea. But he did it so artfully that it more confirmed
them in the good opinion of their choice. "Gentlemen," said he, "what
we have done we must live or die by; let us all be hearty and of one
mind, and I don't question but we shall make our fortune in a little
time. I propose that we sail first to _Madagascar_, where we may
settle a correspondence, in order to secure our retreats, whenever we
think fit to lie by."
To which they all agreed, "Nemine contradicente."
"But hold," saith _Avery_; "it is necessary that we make some order
among us, for the better governing of the ship's crew." Which were in
a few days drawn up by the clerk of the ship.
And _Avery_ promising them vast things, they all came into them at
last, although some things went very much against the grain of many of
them.
It took up all their spare time till they arrived at _Madagascar_,
where they saw a Ship lying at the N.E. part of the Island, with which
the men had run away from _New England_; and seeing _Avery_, they
supposed that he had been sent after them to take them, but _Avery_
soon undeceived them, and promised them protection; therefore they
resolved to sail together. In the whole company, there was not above
ten that pretended to any skill in navigation; for _Avery_ himself
could neither write nor read very well, he being chosen Captain of the
_Duke_ purely for his courage and contrivance.
In the latitude of _Descada_, one of the Islands, they took two other
sloops, which supplied them with provisions, and then they agreed to
proceed to the _West Indies_; and coming to _Barbadoes_, they fell in
with a ship for _London_ with twelve guns, from which they took some
clothes and money, ten barrels of powder, ten casks of beef, and
several other goods, and five of her men, and then let her go. From
thence he went to the Island of _Dominico_, and watered; there he met
with six _Englishmen_, who willingly entered with _Avery_. They stayed
not long before they sailed for the _Granada_ Island to clean their
ships; which being known to the _French_ Colony, the Governor of
_Martenico_ sent four sloops well manned after them. But they stayed
there not long, but made the best of their way for _Newfoundland_,
entering the harbour of _Trepasse_ with black colours, drums beating,
and trumpets sounding.
It is impossible to relate the havoc they made there, burning all
before them. When they left _Newfoundland_ they sailed for the _West
Indies_, and from thence to the Island _Descada_, it being judged the
most convenient place, at that time of the year, to meet with a rich
booty.
From hence they steered towards the _Arabian_ Coast, near the River
_Indus_, where, spying a sail, they gave chase. At their near approach
she hoisted _Mogul_ colours and seemed as if she would stand upon her
defence, whilst _Avery_ contented himself by cannonading her at a
distance, which made many of his men begin to mutiny, thinking him a
coward.
But _Avery_ knew better, and commanding his sloops to attack her, one
in the Bow, and the rest on the Quarter, clapt her on board, upon
which she struck her colours and yielded. Aboard her was one of the
_Mogul's_ own daughters, with several persons of distinction, who
were carrying rich offerings of jewels and other valuable presents to
_Mecca_; which booty was the more considerable, because these people
always travel with great magnificence, having all their slaves and
attendants always with them, besides jewels and great sums of money to
defray the charges. But _Avery_, not content with this, seized the
young Princess, and taking her with him into his own ship, made the
best of his way to _Madagascar_, where she soon broke her heart and
died. Also her father, the _Great Mogul_, did no sooner hear of it but
he threatened all _Europe_ with revenge. And when he knew they were
_Englishmen_ who had captured his daughter and robbed him, he
threatened to send a mighty army, with fire and sword, to extirpate
all the _English_ from their settlements on the _Indian_ Coasts, which
gave no small uneasiness to the _Indian Company_ at _London_, when
they heard of it.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: CAPTAIN JOHN RACKHAM]
[Illustration]
CAPTAIN JOHN RACKHAM, AND HIS CREW
John Rackham was Quarter-Master to _Vane's_ Company, till _Vane_ was
turned out for not fighting the French Man-of-War, and _Rackham_ put
in Captain in his place, which happened about the 24th day of
_November_, 1718. His first cruise was among the _Caribbe_ Islands,
where he took and plundered several vessels. Afterwards, to the
windward of _Jamaica_, he fell in with a _Madeira_ Man, which he
detained till he had made his market out of her, and then restored her
to her Master, suffering _Hosea Tisdel_, a tavern-keeper at _Jamaica_,
whom he had taken among his Prizes, to go aboard her, she being bound
for that Island.
Afterwards he sailed towards the Island _Bermuda_, where he took a
Ship bound to _England_ from _Carolina_, and a small Ship from _New
England_, both which he carried to the _Bahama Islands_, and there
clean'd. But staying too long in that Neighbourhood, Captain _Rogers_
sent out a Sloop well mann'd, which retook both the Prizes, the Pirate
making his Escape.
From hence they proceeded to the Back of _Cuba_, where _Rackham_ staid
a long Time with his Delilahs, till their Provision was consumed, when
he concluded it Time to look out for more. As he was putting to Sea, a
_Garda del Costa_ came in with a small _English_ Sloop, which he had
taken as an interloper on that coast. The _Spaniards_ seeing the
Pirate, attacked her; but finding he could not come to her that night,
because she lay close behind a little island, he warps into the
channel, to make sure of her in the morning. Upon this _Rackham_ took
his Crew into the Boat, with their pistols and cutlasses, and falls
aboard the _Spaniards_ in the night, without being discovered, telling
them, if they spoke a word they were dead men: And so shipping their
cables, drove out to sea, commanding them to take the Boat, and go
aboard their Sloop immediately, or else they were all dead men.
Afterwards they waking the Captain and his men in the Hammocks, who
rose full of their expectation of the Prizes, they sent them aboard
their empty Sloop.
In the Beginning of _September_, they went off of the French part of
_Hispaniola_, where they took two or three _Frenchmen_ on board, that
were looking after some cattle grazing near the waterside. Then
plundered two Sloops, they returned to _Jamaica_, where they took a
Schooner.
_Rackham_ continuing about this Island longer than a Man of his
business ought to have done, gave time to a Canoe, which he had
surprised in _Ocho_ Bay, to inform the Governor of _Jamaica_ of his
civilities to all he met with going or coming from the Island.
Thereupon a Sloop was sent out in quest of him, well mann'd and arm'd,
under Captain _Barnet_, to repay him for all his good-natured
Actions, and, if possible, to bring him into the Island. In the mean
Time _Rackham_ met, near the _Negril_ Point, a small Pettiauger,
which, upon sight of him, ran ashore, and landed her Men; but
_Rackham_ hailing them, desired the Pettiauger's men to come aboard
him, and drink a bowel of punch; swearing, _They were all Friends and
would do no Harm_. Hereupon they agreed to his Request, and went
aboard him, though it proved fatal to every one of them, they being
nine in all. For, they were no sooner got aboard, and had laid down
their muskets and cutlasses, in order to take up their pipes, and make
themselves merry with their new acquaintance over a can of Flip, but
Captain _Barnet's_ Sloop was in sight, which soon put a damp to all
their merriment: Finding she stood directly towards them, they
immediately weighed their anchor and stood off. _Barnet_ gave them
chase, and having the advantage of the wind, soon came up with her,
gave her a broadside or two, and, after a very small dispute, took her
and his nine new guests, and brought them all together into
_Port-Royal_ in _Jamaica_, in about a fortnight's time.
_November_ the 10th, 1720, a Court of Admiralty was held at _St. Jago
de la Vega_, where the following Persons were tried and convicted of
Piracy, and accordingly Sentence of Death was passed upon them by the
Governor, viz.: _John Rackham_, Captain; _George Fetherstone_, Master;
_Richard Corner_, Quarter-Master; _John Davis_, _John Howel_, _Patrick
Carty_, _Thomas Earle_, _James Dobbin_, and _Noah Harwood_; Five of
whom was hang'd the next day at _Gallows-point_, and the rest the day
after. The three first were taken and hanged in Chains; _Rackham_ at
_Plumb-point_, _Fetherstone_ at _Bush-key_, and _Corner_ at _Gun-key_.
But what was yet more strange was the conviction of the nine guests,
that knew nothing of the matter, or at least they pretended so; but
the People would not believe them, because it was proved that they
came on board with pistols and cutlasses: However, they were so much
favoured as to have the Court adjourned to the 24th of January
following, to give a better Account of themselves than at the time
appeared to the Court: Beside, the Jury also then wanted sufficient
evidence to prove the piratical intention of going aboard the said
Sloops. The two _Frenchmen_ taken by _Rackham_ from the Island of
_Hispaniola_, deposed, That _John Eaton_, _Edward Warner_, _Thomas
Baker_, _Thomas Quick_, _John Cole_, _Benjamin Palmer_, _Walter
Rouse_, _John Hanson_, and _John Howard_, came on board the Pirate's
Sloop at _Negril Point_ in _Jamaica_. Indeed they owned, That at first
Sight of them, they run away from _Rackham's_ Sloop, but that he
hailing them, they returned, and _Rackham_ sent his canoe ashore to
fetch them aboard him, when they saw them all armed with guns and
cutlasses, which they brought with them; and that when they were
chased by Captain _Barnet_, they were frank and free, some drinking
and walking about the deck not at all dispirited; during which time
there was a great gun, and small arms, fired by the Pirate Sloop at
Captain _Barnet's_ Sloop; but that they could not say that the
Prisoners were any way concerned in it: However, they were certain
that when Captain _Barnet's_ Sloop fired at _Rackham's_, the Prisoners
at the Bar went under Deck, for cowardice, as they supposed; not so
much as once peeping up during the time of the whole action: But when
Captain _Barnet_ drew nigh to them to board them, all of them came up,
and helped to row the sloop, in order to escape from him: And that
_Rackham's_ Men and they seemed to agree very well together, and that
they did verily believe they were all of a Party, having heard them
say, when they came on board, _They liked them never the worse for
being Pirates, since they were all honest Boys, and loved their
Bottles_.
To which the Prisoners answered, in their own Defence; That they were
a great way off from friends and acquaintance, and, therefore it was
impossible to have any one to give an account of them. That they were
very honest pains-taking men, and came out to go a-turtling to provide
for their families; accordingly going ashore at _Negril_ Point they
saw a Sloop, with a white pendant, making towards them, whereupon they
took up their arms, which were no other but what all people carry upon
such occasions, and ran into the woods, to hide themselves among the
bushes, not knowing what she might be. But when they hailed them and
told them they were _Englishmen_, they ventured out, and came aboard
them, as they desired, to drink a bowl of punch, they being poor men,
who get their livelihood very hardily, and such a thing was very
acceptable to them. But when they came on board the Sloop, to their
very great surprise, they found they were Pirates; upon which they
begged to be released; but _Rackham_ swore, That if they did not stay
and assist them against that Sloop that was coming down against them,
he would cut all their throats. So being compelled thereunto by
_Rackham_ and his men, to save their Lives, they did assist him, and
with no other design but to prevent their being cut in pieces, but as
soon as Captain _Barnet_ came up with them, they all very readily and
willingly submitted.
This being all they had to say in their own Defence, the Prisoners
were ordered from the Bar: The Court were divided in their Judgments;
but the majority were of opinion, that they were all guilty of the
Piracy and Felony they were charged with; thereupon they all received
Sentence of Death, as usual in such cases, the Judge making a very
pathetic Speech to them, exhorting them to bear their Sufferings
patiently, assuring them, that if they were innocent, which he very
much doubted, then their reward would be greater in the Other World:
But everybody must own their case was very hard in this.
February the 17th, _John Eaton_, _Thomas Quick_, and _Thomas Baker_,
were accordingly executed at _Gallows-Point_; and the next Day, _John
Cole_, _John Howard_, and _Benjamin Palmer_, underwent the same fate
at _Kingston_. The other three got a Reprieve, they being against
going aboard the Pirate's Sloop, and are now living.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
CAPTAIN SPRIGGS, AND HIS CREW
_Spriggs_ sailed at first with _Lowe_, and came away with him from
_Lowther_. Afterwards _Lowe_ took a ship of twelve guns on the Coast
of _Guinea_, called the _Delight_, which _Spriggs_ went off on board
with twenty men, and leaving _Lowe_ in the night, came to the _West
Indies_. In their passage they made a Black Ensign, which they called
the _Jolly Roger_, with a skeleton in the middle holding a dart in one
hand, striking a bleeding heart; and in the other an hour-glass; and
being hoisted, they fired all their guns to salute _Spriggs_, whom
they chose Captain, and then went to look out for prey.
In their voyage they took a _Portugueze_ barque, wherein they had rich
plunder. Near _St. Lucia_, they took a Sloop belonging to
_Barbadoes_, which they first plundered, and then burnt, forcing some
of the men into their Service, and beating, in a barbarous manner,
those that refused to join with them, and afterwards sent them away in
the Boat, half dead with their wounds, the rest got to _Barbadoes_,
with much ado, though some of them died soon after of their cuts and
slashes. After this they took a _Martinico_ Man, which they used in
like manner, save that they did not burn the ship. Then running down
to the Leeward, they took one Captain _Hawkins_ coming from _Jamaica_,
laden with Logwood; out of which, they took her stores, arms, and
ammunition, and what they did not want they threw over-board; they cut
the cables to pieces, knocked down the cabins, broke the windows, and
did what mischief they could, taking _Burridge_ and _Stephens_, the
two Mates, and some other Hands, by force; and then after keeping her
a week, they let her go. On the 27th they took a _Rhode_ Island Sloop,
compelling the Captain, and all his men, to go on board the Pirate:
One of them not being willing to stay with them, they told him he
should have a discharge presently, which was to receive ten lashes
from every man on board.
The next day _Burridge_ signed their Articles; which pleased them so
much, that they fired all the Guns, and made him Master, spending that
day in rejoicings and drinking healths.
The First of _April_ they spied a sail, and gave her chase all night,
believing she had been a _Spaniard_; but when they came up to her, and
gave her a broadside, she cried out for Quarters, which made them
cease firing, and ordered the Captain to come aboard, which proved to
be Captain _Hawkins_, whom they had dismissed three days before, not
worth a groat. Two Days after, they anchored at _Ratran_, not far from
_Honduras_, and put ashore Captain _Hawkins_, and several others,
giving them powder and ball, and a musquet, and then left them to
shift as well as they could. Here they staid three weeks, when two men
came in a canoe, that had been left in another Maroon Island near
_Benecca_, and carried them thither. A fortnight after they espied a
Sloop at sea, which had lately escaped from the _Spaniards_ at the Bay
of _Honduras_, which, upon a signal stood in and took them all off.
At an Island to the westward, the Pirates cleaned their ship, and then
sailed towards _St. Christophers_ to meet Captain _Moor_.
_Spriggs_ next stood towards _Bermudas_, where he took a Schooner
belonging to _Boston_, from which he took all the Men, and sunk the
Vessel.
Instead of going to _Newfoundland_, they came back to the Islands, and
on the 8th of _June_, to windward of _St. Christophers_, they took a
Sloop, _Nicholas Trot_, Master, belonging to _St. Eustatia_, whose men
they hoisted as high as the main fore-tops, and so let them fall down
again; then whipping them about the deck, they gave _Trot_ his Sloop,
and let him go, keeping only two of his men, besides the plunder. Two
or three days after, they took a ship coming from _Rhode Island_ to
_St. Christophers_, laden with provisions and some horses, and burnt
ship, men, and horses: Since when _Spriggs_ has not been heard of:
though it is supposed he went to _Madagascar_, to spend, in rioting
and wantonness, his ill gotten plunder; till by a letter from
_Jamaica_, of the 2nd of _March_ last, we understood, That he had been
again at the Bay of _Honduras_, and taken sixteen Sail.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: CAPTAIN EDWARD LOWE]
[Illustration]
CAPTAIN EDWARD LOWE, AND HIS CREW
_Edward Lowe_, born at _Westminster_, very early began the Trade of
Plundering; for if any Child refused him what he had, he must fight
him. When he grew bigger, he took to Gaming among Blackshoe Boys upon
the _Parade_, with whom he used to play the _Whole Game_, as they call
it; that is, cheat every Body, and if they refused, they had to fight
him.
_Ned_ went to Sea with his eldest Brother, and leaving him in
_New-England_, he worked in a Rigging House, at Boston, for some
Time, when not liking that, he returned to _England_ to see his
Mother, with whom he did not stay long before he took his Leave of
her, for the last Time, as he said, and returned to _Boston_, where he
shipped himself in a Sloop that was bound to the Bay of _Honduras_;
and when he arrived there, he was made Patron of the Boat, to bring
the logwood on board to lade the ship; where he differing with the
Captain about the hurry of taking the logwood on board, _Lowe_ takes
up a loaden Musquet, and fired at him; then putting off the Boat, he,
with twelve of his companions, goes to sea. Next day they met a small
vessel, which they took, made a Black Flag, and declared War against
all the world. From hence they proceed to the Island of the _Grand
Caimanes_, where they met with _George Lowther_, who took him under
his protection as an ally, without any formal Treaty; which _Lowe_
readily agreed to. But parting with _Lowther_ on the 28th of _May_, as
we have already given in an Account in _Lowther's_ Life, _Lowe_ took a
Vessel belonging to _Amboy_, which he plundered, and then stood away
to the South East, by which he avoided two Sloops which the Governor
had sent to take him from _Rhode_ Island.
[Illustration]
_July_ the 12th, he sailed into the Harbour of Port _Rosemary_, where
he found 13 small vessels at anchor, whom he told they would have no
quarters if they resisted; which so frightened the Masters of the
vessels, that they all yielded. Out of them he took whatever he
wanted, keeping for his own Use a Schooner of 80 Tons, on board of
which he put 10 Carriage Guns, and 50 men, and named her the _Fancy_
making himself Captain, and appointing _Charles Harris_ Captain of the
Brigantine. Making up a complement of 80 men out of the vessels, some
by force, and others by their own inclinations, he sailed away from
_Mablehead_, and soon after he met two Sloops bound for _Boston_, with
provisions for the garrison; but there being an officer and soldiers
on board, he thought it the safest way, after some small resistance,
to let them go on about their business.
They then steered for the _Leeward_ Islands; but in their voyage met
with such a hurricane, as had not been known in the memory of man.
After the storm was over, they got safe to one of the small Islands of
the _Carribees_, and there refitted their vessels as well as they
could. As soon as the Brigantine was ready, they took a short cruise,
leaving the Schooner in the harbour till their return; which had not
been many days at sea, before she met a ship that had lost all her
masts, on board of which they went, and took, in money and goods, to
the value of 1000_l._ Upon this success, the Brigantine returned to the
Schooner, which being then ready to sail, they agreed to go to the
_Azores_, or Western Islands, where _Lowe_ took a _French_ Ship of 32
Guns, and in _St. Michael's_ Road, he took several sail that were
lying there, without firing a gun. Being in great want of water, he
sent to the Governor of _St. Michael's_ for a Supply, promising upon
that Condition, to release the Ships he had taken, otherwise to burn
them all; which the Governor, for the sake of the Ships, agreed to.
Thereupon he released six, keeping only the _Rose_ Pink, of which he
took the Command.
The Pirates took several of the Guns out of the ships, and mounted
them on board the _Rose_. _Lowe_ ordered the Schooner to lie in the
Fare between _St. Michael's_ and _St. Mary's_, where he met with
Captain _Carter_ in the _Wright_ Galley; who, defending himself, they
cut and mangled him and his Men in a barbarous manner; after which,
they were for burning the ship, but contented themselves with cutting
her cable, rigging, and sails to pieces, and so left her to the mercy
of the seas. From hence they sailed to the Island of _Maderas_, where
they took a fishing boat, with two old men and a boy in her, one of
whom they sent ashore, demanding a boat of water, otherwise they would
kill the old man, which being complied with, the old man was
discharged. From hence they sailed to the _Canaries_, and thence
continued their course for the _Cape de Verde_ Islands, where they
took a ship called the _Liverpool Merchant_, from which they took 300
gallons of brandy, two guns and carriages, besides six of the men, and
then obliged them to go to the Isle of _May_. They also took two
_Portugueze_ ships bound to _Brazil_, and three Sloops from _St.
Thomas's_ bound to _Curaso_: All of which they plundered, and let them
go, except one Sloop, by which they heard that two Gallies were
expected at the Western Islands. Her they manned, and sent in Quest of
these Ships whilst they careened the _Rose_ at _Cape de Verde_; but
the Sloop missing the prey, was reduced to great want of water and
provisions, so that they ventured to go ashore _St. Michael's_, and
pass for Traders; where, being suspected by the Governor, they were
conducted into the Castle, and provided for as long as they lived.
_Lowe's_ ship was overset a-careening, so that he was reduced to his
old Schooner, aboard of which there went about an hundred as bold
rogues as ever was hanged, and sailed to the _West-Indies_, where they
took a rich _Portugueze_ ship bound Home from _Bahia_, putting to the
torture several of the men, who confest the Captain flung into the sea
a bag of 11000 Moidores. This made _Lowe_ swear a thousand oaths; and
after cutting off his lips, he murdered him and all his Crew, being 36
men.
After this, they cruised to the Northward, and took several Vessels
and then steered for the Bay of _Honduras_, where they took Five
_English_ Sloops, and a Pink, and a _Spaniard_ of 6 Guns and 70 men,
whom they killed every man; which being done they rummaged the
_Spanish_ Ship, bringing all the booty on board their own vessel.
In the next cruise, between the _Leeward Islands_ and the Main, they
took two Snows from Jamaica to Liverpool, and just after a Ship called
the _Amsterdam Merchant_, the Captain thereof he slit his Nose, cut
his Ears off, and then plundered the ship and let her go. Afterwards
he took a Sloop bound to _Amboy_, of whose Men he tied lighted
matches between the fingers, which burnt the flesh off the bones, and
afterwards set them ashore in an uninhabited part of the country, as
also other ships which fell a prey to those villains.
One of His Majesty's Men-of-War called the _Greyhound_, of 20 guns and
120 men, hearing of their barbarous actions, went in search of them
and, seeing the Pirates, allowed _Lowe_ to chase them at first, till
they were in readiness to engage him, and when he was within gunshot,
tacked about and stood towards him. The Pirates edged away under the
Man-of-War's stern, making a running fight for about two hours. But
little wind happening, the Pirates gained from her; thereupon the
_Greyhound_ left off firing, and turned all her hands to her oars, and
came up with them, when the fight was renewed with a brisk fire on
both sides, till the _Ranger's_ main-yard was shot down; upon which,
the _Greyhound_ pressing close, _Lowe_ bore away and left his consort,
who seeing the cowardice of his Commadore, and that there was no
possibility of escaping, called out for quarters.
_Lowe's_ conduct in this engagement shewed him to be a cowardly
villain; for had he fought half as briskly as _Harris_, the Man-of-War
could never have taken either of them. The _Greyhound_ carried her
Prize to _Rhode-Island_, which was looked upon to be of such signal
Service to the Colony, that in Council they resolved to compliment
_Peter Sulgard_ Captain, with the Freedom of their Corporation. They
secured the prisoners under a strong guard in Jail, till a Court of
Vice-Admiralty could be held for their Trials, which was on the 10th
of _July_ at _Newport_, lasting three Days. The Judges were _William
Dummer_, Esq; Lieutenant Governor of the _Massachusets_, President;
_Nathaniel Payne_, Esq; _John Lechmore_, Esq; Surveyor General; _John
Valentine_, Esq; Advocate General; _Samuel Cranston_, Governor of
_Rhode Island_; _John Menzies_, Esq; Judge of the Admiralty; _Richard
Ward_, Esq; Registrar; and Mr. _Jahleet Brinton_, Provost Marshal.
_Robert Auchmuta_, Esq, was appointed by the Court, Counsel for the
prisoners here under mentioned.
_Charles Harris_, Captain, _William Blads_, _Daniel Hyde_, _Thomas
Powel_, jun., _Stephen Munden_, _Thomas Hugget_, _William Read_,
_Peter Kneeves_, _James Brinkley_, _Joseph Sound_, _William
Shutfield_, _Edward Eaton_, _John Brown_, _Edward Lawson_, _Owen
Rice_, _John Tomkins_, _John Fitzgerald_, _Abraham Lacy_, _Thomas
Linester_, _Francis Leyton_, _John Walters_, Quarter-master, _William
Jones_, _Charles Church_, _Thomas Hazel_, and _John Bright_, who were
all executed the 19th of _July_, 1723, near _Newport_ in _Rhode
Island_; but _John Brown_ and _Patrick Cunningham_ were recommended to
Mercy.
The eight following were found Not Guilty; _John Wilson_, _Henry
Barnes_, _Thomas Jones_, _Joseph Switzer_, _Thomas Mumper_, Indian,
_John Hencher_, Doctor, _John Fletcher_, and _Thomas Child_.
Instead of working repentance in _Lowe_, this deliverance made him ten
times worse, vowing revenge upon all they should meet with for the
future, which they executed upon _Nathan Skiff_, Master of a
_Whale-fishing_ Sloop, whom they whipt naked about the deck, and then
cut off his ears, making his torture their sport. At length being
weary thereof, they shot him through the head, and sunk his vessel.
Some days after, he took a fishing boat off of _Black_ Island, and
only cut off the master's head; but next day taking two Whale Boats
near _Rhode_ Island, he brutally killed one of the masters and cut off
the ears of the other. From hence he went to _Newfoundland_, where he
took 23 _French_ Vessels, and mann'd one of them of 22 Guns with
pirates; after which, they took and plundered 18 ships, some of which
they destroyed.
The latter end of _July_, _Lowe_ took a large ship called the _Merry
Christmas_, and mounted her with 34 Guns, on which he goes aboard,
taking the title of Admiral, and sails to the Western Islands, where
he took a Brigantine manned with _English_ and _Portugueze_, the
Latter of whom he hanged.
Afterwards _Lowe_ went to the Coast of _Guinea_, but nothing happened
till he came to _Sierra Leon_, in _Africa_, when he met with the
_Delight_, which he took, mounting her with 16 Guns, and 60 men,
appointing _Spriggs_ Captain, and from whom two days after he
separated.
In _January_ after, he took a Ship called _Squirrel_, but what came of
him afterwards we cannot tell.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
CAPTAIN GEORGE LOWTHER, AND HIS CREW
_George Lowther_ went second Mate on board the _Gambia Castle_,
belonging to the _Royal African_ Company, on board which was Captain
_Massey_, with soldiers that he was to command under Colonel
_Whitney_, whom were landed on _James_ Island; but the Fort and
Garrison not agreeing the Company soon after lost a Galley worth
10000_l._ by it.
[Illustration]
_Massey_ finding he must be over-ruled by the merchants, soon began to
complain of their ill-treatment of his men in their allowance, saying
he did not come to be a _Guinea_ Slave; and that if they did not use
him and his men better, he should take other measures.