Chapter 2

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.

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.

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.

_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.