Piracy
British Piracy
During the 1590s there were an average of 14 English expeditions to the Caribbean every year, with as many as 25 in 1598. That led by Francis Drake and John Hawkins in 1595- 96, aimed at San Juan de Puerto Rico and Panama, was the largest, comprising 27 ships, 1,500 seamen, and 2,500- 3,000 soldiers, but it met with even…
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William Kidd: Hunter then Hunted! Part I
The idea of sending a specially equipped and crewed privateer against the Madagascar pirates had actually originated with King William himself. William understood very well the cost in wealth and influence to England if the East India Company should fail. He was not as insensitive to the company’s plight as…
William Kidd: Hunter then Hunted! Part II
Bellomont and Livingston brushed off these objections. They told Kidd that the commission they would arrange for him to receive from the king would also empower him to capture French ships, since England and France were at war. Thus, they assured their chosen captain, there would be plenty of opportunity…
William Kidd: Hunter then Hunted! Part III
Now Kidd made the decision he must have dreaded. He moved to intercept. He ordered Adventure Galley’s topsails set and the crew to man the oars. Then, in an act that was certainly a gratuitous violation of his commission, he ran up a red ensign. Kidd certainly knew that among…
Royal Navy Hunting Pirates
Woodes Rogers and Alexander Spotswood – Blackbeard’s Last Stand After abandoning his flagship and most of his crew Blackbeard sailed north-east along the Outer Banks of North Carolina to Ocracoke Island. This was a remote and deserted place surrounded by shoals and sandbanks. The southern shores of the island faced…
The Isles of Scilly, 1651
John Granville, 1st Earl of Bath The Civil Wars By the 1620s, Scilly’s defences were in need of repair and improvement. Earthworks were built surrounding King Charles’ Castle, and the magazine, still standing today, was built by the gate of the Garrison. Further defences were added in the years up…
Anson’s Cruise (1740–1744)
George Anson’s capture of a Manila galleon by Samuel Scott. PRINCIPAL COMBATANTS: Britain vs. Spain PRINCIPAL THEATER(S): West coast of Spanish America and Manila, Philippines MAJOR ISSUES AND OBJECTIVES: Britain hoped to launch a preemptive strike against Spain in anticipation of the War of the Austrian Succession in Europe by…