On this day in history...

[William Brand]

May 17 -

On this day in 1662, Bartholomew Roberts was born in Casnewydd-Bach, or Little Newcastle, between Fishguard and Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, Wales. His name was originally John Roberts, and his father was most likely George Roberts. It's not clear why Roberts changed his name from John to Bartholomew, but pirates often adopted aliases, and he may have chosen that name after the well-known buccaneer Bartholomew Sharp. He is thought to have gone to sea when he was 13 in 1695 but there is no further record of him until 1718, when he was mate of a Barbados sloop.

Also, pirates arrived off Veracruz on this day in 1683, leading with van Hoorn's two captured Spanish ships to mislead the town. Meanwhile, Laurens de Graaf and Yankey Willems slipped ashore with a small force of men. They proceeded to remove town's fortifications and incapacitate the town's defensive militia. Van Hoorn, marching overland, joined with de Graaf and attacked the town.

[William Brand]

May 18 -

On this day in 1698, Lord Belmont stood before the New Assembly for the Province of New York and gave an angry, fiery speech about the conduct of the assembly and the Province, calling New York a 'noted receptacle of pirates'.

And on this day in 1704, the Queen of England called for a 'General Fast' relative to mariners, seamen and others 'entertaining the queen's service'.

[William Brand]

May 19 -

On this day in 1588, Spain's Invincible Armada set sail.

And on this day in 1643, Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut & New Harbor formed the United Colonies of New England.

Also on this day in 1837, James Morgan was hanged for murdering Captain Smith of the schooner William Wirt at sea. It was the last public execution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

[William Brand]

May 20 -

On this day in 1501, Joao da Nova Castell became the first European to reach the Ascension Islands.

[William Brand]

May 21 -

On this day in 1602, Martha's Vineyard was sighted for the first time by a European, Captain Bartholomew Gosnold.

And on this day in 1683, the West Indian Company sold 1/3 of Suriname.

May 22 -

Richard Sawkins or Hawkins died on this day in 1680. He was a British buccaneer who participated in the Pacific Adventure, a privateering expedition headed by Captain John Coxon.

Although little is known of his early life, Sawkins was captured by HMS Success and later imprisoned in Port Royal while awaiting trial for piracy as late as December 1, 1679. He was apparently released however as he is later recorded commanding a small 16-ton vessel with a crew of 35 men and one gun. Along with Peter Harris, he joined up with Captain John Coxon's privateering expedition near Bocca del Toro in late-March and was one of 330 buccaneers who landed on the coast of Darien with Coxon and Bartholomew Sharp. Marching overland through the jungle, Sawkins participated in a surprise attack and looting of Santa Marta, later crossing the isthmus in Indian canoes, and sailing down the Santa Maria River eventually making their way to the Pacific Ocean.

Arriving with his own group soon after, flying a red flag with yellow stripes, Sawkins soon captured two small Spanish vessels before sailing with his group towards Panama City. As they neared the city, Sawkins encountered a Spanish fleet of eight ships and, after a fierce battle, Sawkins was celebrated by his crew for his bravery and skill in their victory in what was later known as the Battle of Perico.

However, some of the party began arguing amongst themselves, and John Coxon eventually left the expedition with his seventy men and returned across the isthmus on foot. With the departure of Coxon, the remaining privateers elected Sawkins as head of the expedition while Sharp was out on a separate voyage.

After his victory over the Spanish fleet, Sawkins sailed towards Panama City and blockaded the harbor. Forced to negotiate with Sawkins, the Governor of Panama demanaded to know Sawkins intentions. Sawkins responded by demanding five hundred pieces of eight for each of the crew, and a further one thousand for each of his officers. In addition to this, Sawkins also demanded an end to the harassment and exploitation of the local native tribes. He later learned that the Bishop of Santa Martha, who had been Sawkins' prisoners five years earlier, was present in the city and sent him a present of two loaves of sugar. Although he received a gold ring from the Bishop, he received no response from the governor and the crew, soon growing restless, eventually persuaded Sawkins to abandon his blockade and continued sailing south along the coast.

Landing with a party of sixty men, Sawkins led an attack against the town of Puebla Nueva on May 22, 1680. However, having prior knowege of the privateers' presence in the area, three well-fortified breastworks had been constructed by the time of his arrival. Despite having lost the element of surprise, Sawkins continued his attack on the town and was killed by a musket-ball while at the head of his men.

[William Brand]

May 23 -

Next to muslim Turkey, Genoa and Venice, there was another naval power to be reckoned with in 15th century Mediterranean. The Knights Hospitallers of Jersusalem had settled at Rhodes, thus commanding the line of commerce between Alexandria and Istanbul, doing a brisk trade in piracy on passing vessels. These men were the christian corsairs of the Levant; the Caramania forests furnished them with ships, and the populations of Asia Minor supplied them with slaves. Even christian ships suffered from their proceedings, so Venice looked on with open satisfaction when Mohammed II despatched 140 ships and a large army issued from the Dardanelles, to try and expell the knights from their stronghold at Rhodos on this day in 1480. Two months later, with the standard of the Janissaries already firmly planted on the rampart D'Aubusson rallied the knights for one last desperate effort: "Ye have swords, Messires, use them!" and repulsed the assault with heroism.

On this day in 1631, a sea battle took place wherein Zheng Zhilong defeated the pirate chieftain Jang Lauw and his 600 to 700 followers. This permuted Zheng Zhilong to become master of the China seas.

And on this day in 1701, William Kidd was hanged for piracy.

The beloved story, Treasure Island, written by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "buccaneers and buried gold" was first published as a book on this day in 1883. It was originally serialized in the children's magazine Young Folks between 1881 and 1882 under the title Treasure Island or, the mutiny of the Hispaniola with Stevenson adopting the pseudonym Captain George North.

May 24 -

On this day in 1704, Lieutenant Governor Thomas Povey issued a general warrant for the arrest of pirate, John Quelch.

And on this day in 1724, Captain Johnson's 'A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pyrates' was published.

[William Brand]

May 26 -

On this day in 1641, Spain captured Pimienta.

Also on this same day in 1666, Privateer Captain Edward Mansfield recaptured the island of Pimienta.

And on this day in 1728, Gow and the other pirates were brought to trial for piracy.

[William Brand]

May 27 -

On this day in 1669, Morgan’s buccaneers returned to Port Royal, with the equivalent of $14,000,000 in plunder.

And on this day in 1721, William Fly became a pirate when he lead a successful mutiny aboard the Elizabeth, in which Captain Green and his mate were thrown overboard.

[William Brand]

May 28 -

On this day in 1697, Joseph Dawson was convicted of piracy during the trial of the captured members of Every's crew, but he received a pardon.

[William Brand]

May 29 -

On this day in 1668, John Davis captured St. Augustine.

[William Brand]

May 30 -

In 1619, Jan Pieterszoon Coen was appointed Governor-General of the VOC. He saw the possibility of the VOC becoming an Asian power, both political and economic. On this day in 1619, Coen, backed by a force of nineteen ships, stormed Jayakarta driving out the Banten forces; and from the ashes established Batavia as the VOC headquarters. In the 1620s almost the entire native population of the Banda Islands was driven away, starved to death, or killed in an attempt to replace them with Dutch plantations. These plantations were used to grow cloves and nutmeg for export. Coen hoped to settle large numbers of Dutch colonists in the East Indies, but implementation of this policy never materialized, mainly because very few Dutch were willing to emigrate to Asia.

[madPete]

June 7

On this day in 1692, a massive earthquake devastates the infamous town of Port Royal in Jamaica, killing thousands. The strong tremors, soil liquefaction and a tsunami brought on by the earthquake combined to destroy the entire town.

[William Brand]

May 31 -

On this day in 1564, the Swedish warship 'Mars' sank 18 kilometres north of Öland during the Northern Seven Years' War.

June 1 -

On this day in 1676, 'Kronan', the largest warship in the Swedish navy during the Scanian War, sank in rough weather in the Battle of Öland.

Also on this day in 1822, Capt. Carter of the schooner Swan, arrived yesterday from Havana, reports that on his outward passage from this port, on the 27th at 8 o'clock, A. M. being then within 30 miles from Havana, he was boarded by an open boat from the shore, manned with nine men, who all appeared to be Spanish, armed with muskets, pistols, cutlasses, and knives, who plundered the vessel of every thing they could carry off. They also robbed the captain and crew of their clothing, even stripping the jackets from their backs, and the shoes from their feet.

The villains would not even spare the property of a Spanish Priest, passenger on board, but they robbed him also of his clothes, money, and plate, the value of 800 dollars ; they however afterwards, returned his gown. A sail heaving in sight, they left the schooner with orders to steer E. N. E. and not go over three leagues from shore, under pain of death.

From their conversation while on board, it appeared that they intended to board the schooner again in the evening, run her ashore and burn her, but she escaped by the darkness of the night.

June 2 -

On this day in 1676, the Battle at Palermo took place, wherein French forces beat the Dutch/Spanish fleet.

June 3 -

On this day in 1539, Hernando de Soto claimed Florida for Spain.

And on this day in 1540, Hernando de Soto crossed the Appalachian Mountains, becoming the 1st European to do so;.

Also on this day in 1621, the Dutch West India Company (WIC) received their charter for The West Indies (The Americas, Caribbean and West Africa).

And also on this day 1655, the Duke of York (future James II) defeated the Dutch fleet off the coast of Lowestoft.

June 4 -

On this day in 1666, the Battle at Dunkirk took place. The English fleet fought the Dutch fleet

June 5 -

On this day in 1720, George Shelvocke and his men, sailing aboard the Speedwel, were driven ashore and wrecked on Juan Fernandez Island. Shelvocke induced his men to build a makeshift pinnace to escape the island.

June 6 -

International Talk Like a Pirate Day (ITLAPD, September 19) is a parodic holiday created in 1995 by John Baur (Ol' Chumbucket) and Mark Summers (Cap'n Slappy), of Albany, Oregon, U.S., who proclaimed September 19 each year as the day when everyone in the world should talk like a pirate. For example, an observer of this holiday would greet friends not with "Hello," but with "Ahoy, matey!" The holiday, and its observance, springs from a romanticized view of the Golden Age of Piracy. It has become a holiday for members of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

"Cap'n Slappy" and "Ol' Chumbucket", the founders of Talk Like a Pirate Day

According to Summers, the day is the only holiday to come into being as a result of a sports injury. He has stated that during a racquetball game between Summers and Baur, one of them reacted to the pain with an outburst of "Aaarrr!", and the idea was born. That game took place on June 6, 1995, but out of respect for the observance of D-Day, they chose Summers' ex-wife's birthday, as it would be easy for him to remember.

June 7 -

On this day in 1692, "Red Legs" Greaves, a Scottish buccaneer active in the Caribbean and the West Indies during the 1670s, escaped from Port Royal prison during the earthquake which destroyed Port Royal. His nickname came from the term Redlegs used to refer to the class of poor whites that lived on colonial Barbados.

Also on this day in 1740, Alexander Spotswood died of fever at Annapolis, Maryland.

And on this day in 1823, the U. S. schooners of war Greyhound and Beagle left Thompson's Island, under the command of Lieuts. Kearney and Newton, and cruised within the Keys, on the south side of Cuba, as far as Cape Cruz, touching at all the intermediate ports on the island, to intercept pirates.

[William Brand]

June 8 -

On this day in 1663, English & Portugese fleets beat the Spanish at the Battle at Amegical.

And on this day in 1690, Siddi general Yadi Sakat, razed the Mazagon Fort in Mumbai.

Also on this day in 1694, English troops landed Brest and attacked, killing 300.

[William Brand]

June 9 -

On this day in 1534, Jacques Cartier became the first European to sail into the mouth the of St Lawrence River.

And on this day in 1616, Sir Henry Mainwaring received a pardon for his acts of piracy. He later wrote a treatise on piracy.

[William Brand]

June 10 -

On this day in 1610, Dutch settlers arrived (from NJ), to colonize Manhattan Island.

Captain Charles Harris joined the notorious pirate Edward Low and he captained the sloop Ranger. On this day in 1723, they suffered a resounding defeat in a battle with HMS Greyhound, a heavily armed man of war. The Greyhound had been dispatched under the command of Peter Solgard to hunt down Low and his fleet. Low fled in the Fancy with a skeleton crew and £150,000 in gold on board and headed back to the Azores, leaving Harris and the Ranger behind. Charles and his crew were captured and hung in Newport.

[William Brand]

June 11 -

On this day in 1578, England granted Sir Humphrey Gilbert a patent to explore and colonize North America.

And on this day in 1664, Sir Thomas Modyford arrived in Jamaica to assume governorship.

Also on this day in 1594, Philip II recognized the rights and privileges of the local nobles and chieftains in the Philippines, which paved the way to the creation of the Principalía (i.e., elite ruling class of native nobility in Spanish Philippines).

And on this day in 1676, the Battle at Öland took place. Danish and Dutch fleets under CM Tromp beat Swedish forces.

And finally, on this day in 1725, John Gow was hanged. According to the Newgate Calendar, John Gow was slow to die. To relieve his pain, some of his friends pulled at his legs, but this just broke the rope, causing him to tumble to the ground, from where he was gathered up and hanged again. After his death, his body (along with those of his crew) was left in the River Thames. The bodies were then tarred and suspended on the riverbank, as a warning to other would-be pirates.

[William Brand]

June 12 -

On this day in 1653, the First Anglo-Dutch War took place at the Battle of the Gabbard/ Battle at North Foreland. The English fleet beat the Dutch.

And on this day in 1665, New Amsterdam legally became British and was renamed New York after English Duke of York and England installed a municipal government.

Also on this day in 1667, Michiel de Ruyter destroyed the English fleet.

And on this day in 1772, Marion du Fresne was killed at Tacoury's Cove, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, by local Māori.

[William Brand]

June 13 -

On this day in 1665, English forces beat the Dutch fleet at the Battle of Lowestoft, off Suffolk, England.

And on this day in 1774, Rhode Island became the first colony to prohibit the importation of slaves.

[William Brand]

July 6 -

On this day in 1685, Lauren de Graff was seen on Isla de Pinos presiding over a gathering of buccaneers. After his departure, he led yet another raid on Campeche. After a protracted battle, the Spaniards fled the town, leaving the pirates with a city devoid of plunder. The length of the battle and delay in attacking had allowed residents to move goods away. After two months in the town the pirates, failing to secure a ransom, began to burn the town and execute prisoners.

And on this day in 1699, Captain William Kidd was arrested at the home of Lord Bellomont.

[William Brand]

July 7 -

On this day in 1730, Olivier Levasseur was taken to Saint-Denis, Réunion and hanged for piracy at 5 p.m.

July 8 -

This day in 1700 is claimed to be the first recorded reference to a Jolly Roger when Emanuel Wynne, a French privateer turned pirate, flew one decorated with skull, crossed bones, and an hourglass.

[William Brand]

July 9 -

On this day in 1722, the Boston News Letter published a list of those captured by Edward Low after he sank ships of the fleet, and abandoned the Rebecca.

[William Brand]

July 10-

On this day in 1723, Captain Peter Solgard of the HMS Greyhound, engaged Edward Low’s Ranger, but Low escaped capture. Low fled in the Fancy after stripping the ship Fortune, and cutting off the ear of John Welland with a cutlass. Loe took a skeleton crew and £150,000 in gold on board and headed back to the Azores, leaving Harris and the Ranger behind. Twenty-five of the crew of the Ranger, including the ship's doctor, were tried between the 10th and 12th of July, with Solgard giving evidence and recounting the battle. The men were hanged for felony, piracy and robbery, near Newport, Rhode Island, on the 19th of July 1723.

And on this day in 1724, Benjamin Colman, a Presbyterian minister, delivered a sermon at the request of two convicted pirates in Boston. They were members of William Fly’s crew.

[William Brand]

July 17 -

On this day in 1596, At 10:30AM, Dutch explorer Willem Barents arrived at Novaya Zemlya, an archipelago in the Arctic Sea.

Also on this day in 1603, Sir Walter Raleigh was arrested by forces of King James.

And on this day in 1690, Adam Baldridge arrived at Island of St. Marie in Madagascar where he built a fort and began trading with pirates.

And also on this day in 1696, a proclamation for the arrest of Henry Every was issued by the Lords Justices.

[William Brand]

July 18 -

On this day in 1696, Czar Peter I's fleet occupied Azov at the mouth of the Don River.

And on this day in 1700, according to British Admiralty Records in the Public Records Office in the UK, the HMS Poole, commanded by Captain John Cranby, engaged pirate Emanuel Wynn's ship off the Cape Verde islands. Cranby chased Wynn into a cove at Brava Island but, assisted by Portuguese soldiers, Wynn escaped Poole. Most historians agree that Cranby's account is the first mention of a Jolly Roger, which Cranby described as "a sable ensign with cross bones, a death's head, and an hour glass." Wynne is believed to be the first (or some sources contend one of the first) pirate to fly the now familiar form of the jolly roger. His flag, showing the distinctive skull and crossbones motif, was augmented with another common pirate symbol: an hourglass (meant to signify to his prey that only by timely surrender could they evade death). Wynne began his piratical career raiding English merchantmen off the coast of the Province of Carolina near the end of the 17th century. He later moved to the more profitable waters of the Caribbean, attacking both English and Spanish ships.

Also on this day in 1718, Howell Davis was given command of the Cadogan and set out for Brazil. However, his crew mutinied and sailed to Barbados instead. Davis was imprisoned there on the charge of piracy, but was eventually released and sought shelter in the pirate den of New Providence in the Bahamas. With New Providence being cleaned out by Governor Woodes Rogers, Davis left on the sloop Buck and conspired with six other crew members, who included Thomas Anstis and Walter Kennedy, to take over the vessel off Martinique. Davis was elected captain and conducted raids from his base at Coxon's Hole.

July 19 -

On this day in 1545, the Tudor warship, Mary Rose, sunk in Portsmouth Harbor at Hampshire, England.

Also on this day in 1702, Philemon Ewer, the English shipbuilder is born. He is responsible for the rebuild of the first ship built in North America back in 1696. He also built the HMS Salisbury, which served as the location for the famous experiments on scurvy in 1747, by James Lind.

And on this day in 1723, Charles Harris and 25 pirates were hanged in Newport, Rhode Island. Joseph Libbey, who was abducted the previous year along with Philip Ashton, was among them. All were all former members of Edward Low’s crew.