On this day in history...

[William Brand]

January 10 -

 

On the morning of January 10, 1720, the sloop Philippa lay anchored in the Laquary Roads at Tobago, with her captain below suffering from gout. When the mate came on deck he immediately rushed back for pistols and other arms, because a canoe was approaching the sloop. The mate ordered shots fired and cried out warnings not to come any nearer. Someone from the canoe shouted back that they were going to board and if there was any more firing no quarter would be given, so Philippa's crew shut up and the pirates clambered on board. Their leader, Thomas Anstis, swaggeringly informed the captain his sloop was impounded. It was recorded later that Anstis was the worst type of pirate, attacking when peril was at its least, but in victory, vicious.

The flag of Thomas Anstis is described as a Union Jack with four flaming grenados.

 

And on this day in 1722, One of Ned Low's forced men, named Christopher Atwell, was taken out of the ship Greyhound.

 

[William Brand]

January 12 -

 

On this day in 1702, in North America, ships from Fort Maurepas arrive at Twenty-Seven Mile Bluff to build Fort Louis de la Mobile (future Mobile, Alabama) to become the capital of French Louisiana.

[William Brand]

January 13 -

 

On this day in 1690, English Pirate Thomas Pound was initially found guilty for acts of piracy. However, he was later reprieved. He was sent to England, where he was released and eventually gained command of his own ship, before his death in 1703.

 

Also on this day in 1722, the Weekly Journal reported: "That several pirate ships infested the coast [off Martinique] where one carrying 30 guns and 400 men some days before had engaged two French men-of-war. She caried a black flag at her topmasthead. The action took place off Monserrat but she got away from them and bore away from Antegoa. That 5 men were newly come in there that did belong to Inwen, captain Ross, from Cork, Ireland, having on board 600 barrels of beef besides other provisions which ship was taken off Martinique by a pirate sloop well mounted with guns and 140 men. That colonel Doyly of Montserrat with his family was on board the said vessel and was very much cut and wounded by the pirates. That 21 of these brutes had forced a woman passenger successively, afterwards broke her back and flung her into the sea."

 

And also on this day in 1722, Bartholomew Roberts left the Whydah one day before Captain Ogle arrived.

[William Brand]

January 15 -

 

On this day in 1671, Sir Thomas Lynch received a commission as Lieutenant-Governor of Jamaica.

 

On this day in 1690,    M. de Denonville sent a letter to M, de Seignelay regarding commerce during a state of war with the Iroquois.    While not pirate related, it demonstrates the fragile nature of commerce during the Golden Age in the colonies.

 

"Our affairs at Hudson's Bay will prosper, if the Northern Company* continue to cooperate with, and second the designs of D'Iberville, one of the sons of the late Le Moyne, whom I left resolved to go and seize Port Nelson, the only remaining post in the possession of the English. For that purpose it is absolutely necessary, I believe, that my Lord the Marquis de Seignelay inform Monsieur de Lagiiy that the King intends that the Northern Company undertake the capture of that post, and furnish said Iberville with everything he requires to render his design successful. He will want two ships. He has already, at Quebec, one that he took this winter from the English. In truth, my Lord, it would be very advantageous to the King's service had said Iberville some honourable rank in the navy, in order to excite emulation among the Canadians who will follow the sea. A commission of lieutenant Avould work marvels. He is a very fine fellow, and very capable of rendering himself expert, and doing good service.

 

The Iroquois war continuing, as there is every appearance it will, both against us and the Indians, in the direction of the Outawas who traffic with us, the greatest part of the trade will be diverted towards Port Nelson, on the River Bourbon. What I have learned of 'the facilities possessed by the Indians beyond Lake Superior to reach the sea in that direction, very strongly convinces me of the necessity we are under to bethink ourselves of driving the Englisli from that commerce. But it must be efifected without fail, for they will get up this year some expeditions against us."

*Compagnie du Nord
 

[William Brand]

January 16 -

 

On this day in 1704, approximately one hundred lives were lost when the 4th rate HMS Colchester was wrecked in Whitesand Bay.