 Chapter 16 of The Romance of Piracy. The Romance of Piracy by Edward Cable Chatterton. Chapter 16 A Gentleman of Fortune. In an honest service there are commonly low wages and hard labour, in piracy, satiety, pleasure and ease, liberty and power, and who would not balance creditor on this side, when all the hazards that is run for it at worst is only a sour look or two at choking. No, a merry life on a short one shall be my motto. Which was the remark which a certain Captain Bartholomew Roberts, a notorious 17th century pirate, was said to have made, and no doubt there was a certain amount of truth in this statement. The low wages and hard labour in other spheres of life contrasted unfavourably with the possibilities of ease, plenty, liberty and power. This fellow, like the notorious Henry Morgan, was a Welshman and born in Pembrokeshire. He grew up to be a tall, dark, ingenious and daring seaman. For a time he led the hard, but honest life of a sailor trading to the Guinea coast, but in the year 1719 he had the bad luck to be captured by Davies, another pirate captain. The latter constrained Roberts to lead this lawless form of life, and it is only fair to state that Roberts at first was distinctly averse from piracy, and would certainly have deserted if an opportunity had been forthcoming. However, Perferment claimed his conscience and reconciled him to that which he formerly hated. And when Davies ended his days by death in action, the pirate crew decided to choose Roberts as their skipper. It is my advice, said one of these at the time of the election, it is my advice, while we are sober, to pitch upon a man of courage, and one skilled in navigation, one who, by his prudence and bravery, seems best able to ward us from the dangers and tempests of an unstable element, and the fatal consequences of energy, and such a one I take Roberts to be, a fellow in all respects worthy of your esteem and favour. So the Welshman was prevailed upon to accept this new honour, adding that, since he had dipped his hands in muddy water, and must be a pirate, it was better being a commander than a private man. So the pirate ship sailed south along the Guinea coast with her new commander, captured a Dutch Guinea ship, emptied her of everything they fancied, sent her on her way again, and two days later took an English ship. From her too they extracted all that they desired, and since her crew were persuaded to join Roberts ship, the prize was burned, and the pirate, with a now much bigger company, set sail for the island of St Thomas, which is in the South Atlantic, some distance off the Congo coast. But as they had no further luck in these parts, they eventually resolved by vote, to make for Brazil. After a twenty-eight day voyage across the Atlantic, they arrived off the South American shore, and for nine weeks or so cruised about unsuccessfully, taking care to keep out of sight of land. But on the way to the West Indies, whither they were now bound, a little disappointed, they unexpectedly fell in with a fleet of forty-two Portuguese ships of Bahia. These vessels were bound for Lisbon, and were now waiting for two seventy-gun men of war to convoy them home. Such a rich sight was too much for the pirate. He was sure that his one single ship would have but little chance against such a powerful fleet, especially as some of them were really powerful vessels. But a faint heart never made a prize, and he was minded to have a try. Among the many vicissitudes of these pirate bayfars, the reader must have been struck by his extremely able cunning, which is these lawless desperate fellows displayed in many of their captures. Somehow one does not associate skill with brutality. But it was very rare that these pirate skippers were at a loss for a stratagem. Horse was employed and used without mercy at the proper time, but that was not allowed to take the place of ingenuity. So long as these corsairs remained sober and did not set foot on land, they were rarely met with defeat. They were terrified not by superior forces, but by the possibility of being found out when ashore. The sea and its ways they understood, in that sphere they were at home. It was only when they become so foolish as to abandon their natural element that they fell on evil days. So Roberts said about devising some means of getting what he wanted from this mighty fleet. He got his ship in their midst and kept his own rugged desperate crew concealed. He then took his ship close to one of the biggest Portuguese and hailed her to send her master aboard quietly. If the Portuguese should show the slightest resistance or make any signal of distress, he would show them no mercy. The school impudence was successful, for the master now coming on deck and seeing the sudden flash of pirate catluses of the men who had for a time been concealed. There was nothing to do but submit quietly. And the captain repaired on board the pirate as requested. Roberts saluted him in a friendly manner and told him he and his crew were gentlemen of fortune. All they desired from him was to be informed as to which was the richest ship of the fleet. If the captain informed them correctly, then he should be permitted to go back to his ship in safety. But if not, he must expect instant death. So the Portuguese pointed out a 40-gun vessel which had a crew of 150 men. Certainly she appeared far too big a job for Roberts to tackle, but he made towards her, still keeping the Portuguese captain aboard. As they came alongside, the pirate ordered the Portuguese prisoner to hail her and inquire after the commander's health and invite him on board, as a matter of importance was waiting to be imparted to him. The reply came that the commander would come presently. But Roberts was not to be put off, for, observing signs of unusual activity on board her, he poured a heavy broadside into her, then ran his ship right alongside in the most approved Elizabethan manner, grappled and boarded her. In a short space of time she had been captured, and there were taken out of her into the pirate's hold large and valuable quantities of sugar, skins, tobacco, etc., and 4,000 goldmoy doors. Under this, just as a dog which has stolen a piece of meat hurries off to find a secluded spot where he can eat his spoil in peace. So the pirates began to long for some safe retreat where they could spend their time in debauchery with the praises to pay for the cost. They resolved to go to Devil's Island on the River Surinam in Dutch Guineana and having safely arrived there were well received by the governor and inhabitants. But the pirates were sadly in need of provisions until they fell in with a sloop which was in the river. This craft which was now seized said that she had been sailing in company with a brigantine loaded with provisions. The news gladdened the corsairs, and Roberts, believing the matter to be so important that he ought to attend to it himself, went in command of the sloop, taking forty men and leaving the pirate ship behind. He was sure the latter would be all safe and he would not be away long. The brigantine would soon be aspired and then he could return with the latter's welcome cargo. But on this occasion Roberts was unlucky. He did not sight the brigantine, although he sailed for miles and miles during eight days. So at last he came to anchor off the coast somewhere and sent a boat ashore to inform their shipmates left behind in the Surinam River. The boat was also to bring back provisions to the sloop. But when she returned, after an almost unbearable delay, she brought no provisions and the unwelcome knowledge that the loitnant of the pirate ship had run off with her. Roberts had certainly been a fool not to have foreseen this probability, and in order to prevent such mutiny, recurring, he proceeded to draw up regulations for preserving order in his present craft. After that he had to act. Provisions and water they must have at all costs, and so they must make for the West Indies. They had not gone far, however, before they fell in with a couple of sloops which they captured. These afforded them the necessary supplies. A few days later they also captured a brigantine and then proceeded to Barbados. Of Barbados they met a ten-gun ship heavily laden with cargo from Bristol. Her they plundered, but after three days allowed her to proceed. But as soon as the latter touched land and informed the governor of Hormys Fortune, there was dispatched a twenty-gun ship with eighty men under the command of Captain Rogers to seek out the pirates. In two days they came up with her. Roberts was of course quite unaware that any vessel had been sent against him, and the two craft drew near. Roberts as usual fired a blank shot for the stranger to heave, too, and was very surprised to observe that instead of striking his colors force with, she returned his gun with a broadside. A sharp engagement ensued, but as Roberts was getting distinctly divorced of it, he threw some of his cargo overboard and hurried off as fast as his ship could travel, being very lucky to escape in this manner. He next made for Dominica in the Caribbean Sea, and bartered some of his cargo with the inhabitants for provisions. He watered his ship, and as he happened to meet fifteen Englishmen who had been left upon the island by some Frenchmen who had captured the Englishman's vessel. Roberts persuaded these destitutes to join him, and this additional strength was by no means inappreciable. But his ship was very foul and badly needed her bottom scrubbed, so Roberts took her for this purpose southwards to the Grenada Islands. It was fortunate that he did not waste any time about his cleaning, and that he put to sea immediately after. For the governor of Martinique got to hear that the pirate was so near, and two sloops were sent to catch him. But Roberts and his ship had departed only the very night before the sloops arrived. Setting a northerly course, the pirate now proceeded towards Newfoundland. His ship was well cleaned, so she could sail at her best pace. He arrived off the banks in June of 1720, and entered the harbor of Trepassi with the black pirate's flag at her must-head, with drums beating and trumpets sounding. Twenty-two ships were lying in that harbor as Roberts came in. But as soon as they realized what sort of a visitor was amongst them, the crews forsook the ships, and Roberts with his men destroyed them by burning or sinking, and then pillaged the houses ashore, behaving like madmen and fiends let loose. He retained just one ship of the lot, which hailed from Bristol, and after leaving the harbor encountered ten French ships of the Newfoundland banks. All of these he also destroyed excepting one, which he took for his own use, and named the Fortune. The Bristol ship he handed over to these Frenchmen, and then for some time, being in the very track of the shipping, made some important prizes, after which he sailed again for the West Indies, took in ample supplies of provisions, and then determined to hasten towards the coast of Guinea, where previously they had been so successful. On the way they came up with a French ship, and as she was more suitable for piracy than his own, Roberts made her skipper exchange ships. There were some time getting towards Suriname, as they made a mistake in their navigation, and got out of the trade winds, and then trouble overtook them. They later had been running short for some time, so that they became reduced to one mouthful a day. Famine, too, overtook them, so that with thirst also tormenting them, many of the crew died, whilst the rest were extremely weak and feeble. Things went from bad to worse, and now there was not one drop of fluid for drinking purposes. But fortunately for them, they found, they were in seven fathoms of water, so the anchor was lowered over, but as they were such a long way off the shore, they despaired of relieving their thirst. But the ship's boat was sent away, and after a while, to their immense relief, the little craft returned, with plenty of drinking water, to end their sufferings. One would have thought that as an act of gratitude, these men would then have given up their lawless life, and seized their depredations. But they were a hardened lot of ruffians, who feared neither god nor man, so as soon as they were able, they were off to sea, at their old game. They fell in with a ship, which gave them all the provisions they required, and soon afterwards came up with a brigantine, which not only afforded them still further supplies, but also a mate who joined their company. Then as they learned that the governor had dispatched two ships to capture them, they did a very impudent and a very cruel series of acts by way of revenge. It should be mentioned that it was the custom of the Dutch ships to trade with Martinique illegally. To prevent any trouble, they would keep some distance off the island, and then hoist their jacks. The inhabitants were on the lookout for the signal, and would row off to do their trading, there being always a sharp contest, as to who should reach the ship first, and so secure the pick of the goods. The artful roberts, always ready with some new device, was well aware of this custom. So when he arrived off the island, he hoisted the Dutch jack and waited. The inhabitants of Martinique saw it, and came off in their craft as fast as they could. As each man came on board, he had him killed, until there were only left those who had remained in the small ships which had come for the cargo. All these ships to the number of twenty he burned, excepting one. And into this one ship he put the survivors and sent them back to Martinique with the doleful news. It was a cruel, heartless trick and the basest of all methods of revenge. Robert ships then put to sea once more. And so the life of pillage went on. When they found themselves after a successful period, well supplied with everything, they would indulge their bestial bodies in hard drinking. In fact, it was deemed a crime among them not to be in this condition of inebriety. And then, finding their wells diminishing, they set a course across the south Atlantic once more to the Guinea coast, in order to forage for gold. They fell in with two French ships, of which one was a tengunner and the other a seventy-five. The former carried sixty-five men and the latter seventy-five. But so soon as these cowards recognized the black flag, they surrendered. So taking the two prizes with them, the pirates went on to Sierra Leone. One of the new ships Roberts named the Ranger, the other he used as a store ship. After six more weeks spent at Sierra Leone in excesses, they put to sea. And after more captures and more enjoyment of their wells, found that their resources were still in need of replenishment. Festivity and mirth had made a big hole in their capital, so that if they were to keep alive, they must needs get busy for Swiss. Therefore they cruised about, held up unprotected merchant ships, relieved them of their cargoes, and then burned or sunk those strong hulls, which had been the pride of many a shipbuilder and many an owner. But the time of reckoning was at hand. For his majesty's ship Swallow and other men of war had now been sent to capture both Roberts and his craft. Definite news had been gained as to where the pirates were likely to be found, and the matter was to be dealt with firmly. Just a little to the south of the equator, where the line touches the west coast of Africa, is a bold premontery known as Cape Lopez. Of this point lay Roberts. Now the Swallow was fortunate enough to know that the man he wanted was here, and came up as fast as he could to that locality. Those who were serving under the pirate saw this strange sail in the offing, and so Roberts sent one of his ships to chase her and bring her back. The pirate had heard that two men of war were sent out to seek him. But he had so successfully escaped their vigilance so far that he became overconfident and careless. And in the present instance he judged her to be merely one more unhappy merchant man that was to add to his list of victims. But when the pilot of the Swallow saw the detached pirate craft approaching, he affected a smart stratagem. He altered his course and ran away from her, but he gave her a good long run for her trouble, and managed to allow her gradually to overtake the man of war. But this was not until the pirate had got well away from her mothership. As the pirate came up, full of confidence that the prize would shortly be hers, she hoisted out her black flag as usual and then fired. But when it was now too late they discovered that this was a man of war and much more than a match for the pirate. The latter was too far from Robert's ship to be assisted, and so, seeing that resistance would be futile, she cried for quarter. This was granted, and her crew promptly made prisoners, but not till she had lost already ten men killed and twenty wounded, whereas the Swallow had not received one single casualty. The pirate admiral was still lying near the cape, and one morning her crew looked up and saw a sight which gave them no pleasure. Over the land they could see the masts of the Swallow as the ship bore away to round the cape. At the time Robert's was below having breakfast, and some of the crew came down to inform him of the sight. But Robert's was far more interested in his meal than in the ship and declined to get excited. She might be a Portuguese craft or a French slaver, or it might be their own ranger coming back. But as the ship came nearer and nearer, the crew began to get exceptionally interested. That was the man of war, Swallow. It was useless to dispute the point, for there was among the pirate crew a man named Armstrong, who had previously served aboard the naval ship and deserted. He knew her too well to take any heed of others who disputed her identity. But Robert's was still not nervous, and stigmatized those as cowards who were disheartening his men. Even if she wears a Swallow, what did it matter were they afraid to fight her? But if there was a man aboard the pirate who still possessed any doubt, that uncertainty was instantly set at rest. When the Swallow was seen to be hoisting up her ports and getting her guns ready for action, out went the British colors, and even Robert thought it was time to be doing something. He had driven matters pretty fine, so he had to slip his cable, got under way, and ordered his men to arms. All the time he showed no timidity, but dropping an occasional oath he meant to be ready for all that the Swallow would be willing to attempt. The pirate's sails were unloosed, and the ship had gathered way. Robert's never lost his head, although he was not in a good humor at having had to interrupt his morning meal. He called Armstrong to him, and questioned him as to the trim of the Swallow. Armstrong informed him that she sailed best upon a wind, so that, if Robert wanted to get away, he would be best advised to run before the wind, as thus the Swallow would not easily overtake him. But the two ships were getting very near to each other, and there was no longer time for thinking out tactics. Quick but not hasty decision must be made, though this is what Robert's resolved to attempt. He would pass quite close to the Swallow under full sail, and receive her broadside before returning a shot. If the pirate should then have the misfortune to be disabled, or if his masts and sails were shot away, then the ship would be run ashore at the point, and every man could ship for himself among the natives. But if this means of escape should turn out impracticable, Robert's intended to get his ship alongside the Swallow, and blow the two craft up together. The reason why he intended such desperate measures was that old folly which has been the cause of so much disaster both to nations, fleets, and individual ships. In a word he was unprepared, so were his crew. He himself had not been expecting the Swallow, and his own men were either drunk or only passively courageous, in any case not the keen alert crew who are likely to win an engagement. But there was a curious old-time vanity about the man, which shows how seriously these pirate skippers took themselves. Dressed in a rich crimson damasquice coat, and breeches, a red feather in his head, a gold chain round his neck with a diamond cross depending. He stood on his deck, sword in hand, and two pairs of pistols hanging at the end of a silk sling flung over his shoulders, as was the custom of the pirates, and such as one sees in the old prints of these men. He played the part of commander grandly, giving his order with boldness and spirit. When his ship closed with the Swallow, he received her fire and hoisted his black flag, returning the man of war's fire. He set all the sail he could, and, as the ship tore through the water, blazed away at the Swallow. It was a pity for his own sake that he did not follow Armstrong's advice and run his ship off before the wind. Had he done so, he might have escaped. But either through the wind shifting, or else, through bad steerage, in the excitement of the contest, his sails, with the tax down, were taken aback, and for a second time the Swallow came quite close to him. From now onwards there would have been a very desperate fight, but the grapeshots struck him in the throat, and presently he died. He laid himself on the tackles of one of the ship's guns, the man at the helm observing him there, and seeing that he was wounded, ran towards him and swore at him, bidding him stand up and fight like a man. But when the sailor found to his horror that his chief was already dead, he burst into tears, and hoped that the next shot might settle himself. Presently the lifeless body of the daring, plucky, ingenious robots, was thrown over the side into the water with his arms, and ornaments still on, just as he had repeatedly expressed the wish to be buried during his lifetime. The rest is quickly told. The pirate ship was now soon captured, and the crew arrested. The latter were strictly guarded while on board the men of war, and were taken to Cape Coast Castle, where they underwent a long trial. Like many of the old smugglers, these pirates remain defiant and impenitent for a long time. But after some experience of the dull confinement in the castle, and the imminence of death, they changed their disposition, and became serious, penitent, and fervent in their devotions. Their acts of robbery on sea had been so flagrant, that there was no difficulty in bringing in a verdict of guilty. Chapter 17 Paul Jones, Pirate, and Privateer We come now to consider the exploits of another historical character, whose life and adventures will ever be of unfailing interest on both sides of the Atlantic. And yet, perhaps, this amazing Scotsman is today better known in America than in Great Britain. Like many another before him, he rose from the rank of ordinary seaman to become a man that was to be had in great fear, if not respect. His fame has been celebrated in fiction, and very probably many a story of which he has been made the hero had no foundation, in fact. There is some dispute concerning his birth, but it seems pretty certain that he was the son of John Paul, head gardener on Lord Selkirk's estate, near Kirkenbrite. Paul Jones first saw the light in the year 1728. Brought up on the shores of the Solway Firth, it was only likely that he gave up being assistant to his father and preferred the sea to gardening. In his character, there developed many of those traits which have been such marked characteristics of the pirate breed. To realize Paul Jones, you must think of a wild, reckless nature, burning with enthusiasm for adventure, yet excessively vain and desirous of recognition. He was a rebel, a privateer, a pirate, and a spuggler. He was a villain, he was quarrelsome, he was petty and mean. Finally, he was a traitor to his country. When he died, he had lived a most varied life, and had seen service on merchantmen, slave, and man of war. After making several voyages to the West Indies and a merchantman, as ordinary and able-bodied seaman, he was promoted to rank of mate, and then rose to the rank of master. Soon after the rupture between England and America, he happened to be in New England, and then it was that he succumbed to the temptation to desert his own national standard, and to throw his aid onto the side of the revolutionists, for which reason he changed his real name of John Paul, to that of Paul Jones. Notwithstanding that Jones has been justly condemned by biographers for having been a traitor, yet my own opinion is that this change arose far less from a desire to become an enemy of the British nation, than from that overwhelming wonderlust and that irrepressible desire for adventure to which we have already called attention. There are some men who have never had enough fighting. As soon as one campaign ends, they are unhappy till another begins, so that they may find a full outlet for their spirits. To such men as these, the daily round of a peaceful life is a perpetual monotony, and unless they can go forth to robe and wonder, to fight or to explore, their very souls would almost cry out for freedom. So I am convinced it was with Paul Jones. To such a man nationalities mean nothing more than certain artificial considerations. The only real differences are those between the land and the sea. He knew that in the forthcoming war he would find just the adventure which delighted him. He would have every chance of obtaining booty, and his own natural endowment, physical and mental, were splendidly suitable for such activities. He had a special knowledge of British pilotage, so he was a seamen distinctly worth having for any marauding expeditions that might be set going. So in the year 1777 we find him very busy as commander, fitting out to the privateer Ranger. This vessel mounted eighteen guns as well as several swivel guns, and had a desperate crew of a hundred and fifty able men. He put to sea, and made two captures on the European side of the Atlantic, sending each of these prizes into a French port. The following spring he went a step further in his character as a rebel, for he appeared off the Cumberland coast, and began to attack a part of England that must have been singularly well known to him. He had made his land fall by daylight, but stood away until darkness set in. At midnight he ran closer in, and in grim silence he sent away his boats with thirty men, all well armed and ready to perform a desperate job. Their objective was Whitehaven, the entrance to the harbour being commanded by a small battery, so their first effort must obviously be to settle that. Having landed with great care, they rushed upon the small garrison, and made the whole lot prisoners. The guns of the battery were next spiked, and now they set about their next piece of daring. In the harbour the ships were lying side by side, the tide being out. The good people of the town were asleep in their beds, and all the conditions were ideal for burning the shipping where it stood. Very stealthily the men went about their business, and had laid their combustibles on the decks all ready for firing as soon as the signal should be given. But just then something was happening. At the doors of the main street of the little town there was a series of loud knockings, and people began to wake and bustle about, and soon the sound of voices and the sight of crowds running down to the pier. The marauders had now to hurry for the rest of their work, for the alarm had been given, and there was not a moment to lose. So hastily the privateers men threw their matches on the decks, then made for their boats, and rode off quickly to their ship. But luckily the inhabitants of Whitehaven had come down just in time, for they were able to extinguish the flames before serious damage had been done. What was their joy was keen annoyance to the privateers men. But who was the good friend who had taken the trouble to rouse the town? Who had at once been so kind as to knock at the doors, and to spoil the marauders over their night's work? When the shore party of the privateers mustered on the deck it was found that one man was missing, and this was the fellow who, or some conscientious or worldly motive, had gone over to the other side, and so saved both property and lives. So Jones went a few miles further north, crossed his familiar Solway Firth, and entered the River Dee, on the left bank of which stands Calkenbright. He entered the estuary at dawn, and let go anchor off Lord Selkirk's castle. When the natives saw this warlike ship in their river, with her guns and her formidable appearance generally, they began to fear she was a man of war come to impress men for the navy. It happened that the noble lord was away from home in London, and when the men's servants at the castle aspired what they presumed to be a king's ship, they begged Lady Selkirk for leave to go and hide themselves, lest they might be impressed into the service. A boat was sent from the ship, and a strong body of men landed, and marched to the castle, which, to the surprise of all, they surrounded. Lady Selkirk had just finished breakfast, when she was summoned to appear before the leader of the men, whose rough clothes soon showed the kind of fellows they were. Armed with pistols, swords, muskets, and even an American tomahawk, they inquired for Lord Selkirk, only to be assured his lordship was away. The next request was that all the family plate should be handed over. So all that was in the castle was yielded, even to the silver teapot which was on the breakfast table, and had not yet been washed out. The silver was packed up, and with many apologies for having had to transact this dirty business, as one of the officers called it, the pirates went back to their ship rather richer than they had set out. But the inhabitants of the castle were as much surprised as they were thankful to find their own lives had not been demanded as well as the plate. The ship got underway some time after, and put to sea without any further incident. Now the rest of this story of the plate runs as follows, and shows another side to the character of the head gardener's son. For, a few days after this visit, Lady Selkirk received a letter from Jones, apologizing for what had been done, and stating that this raid had been neither suggested nor sanctioned by him. On the contrary, he had used his best influence to present its occurrence. But his officers and crew had insisted on the deed, with a view to capturing Lord Selkirk, for whose ransom they hoped to obtain a large sum of money. As an earnest of his own innocence in the matter, Paul Jones added that he would try to purchase from his associates the booty which they had brought away, and even if he could not return the entire quantity, he would send back all that he could. We need not stop to wonder whether Lady Selkirk really believed such a statement. But the truth is that about five years later, the whole of the plate came back, carriage paid, in exactly the same condition as it had left the castle. Apparently it had never been unpacked, for the tea leaves were still in the teapot, just as they had been taken away on that exciting morning. But to come back to the ship. After leaving the soulway worth a stern, Jones stood over to the Irish coast, and entered Belfast Law, amusing himself on the way by burning or capturing several fishing-craft. But it happened that he was despised by Captain Burden of HMS Drake, a sloop. Seeing Jones's ship coming along, he took her to be a merchantman, and so from her he could impress some seamen. So the officer lowered a boat and sent her off. But when the boat's crew came aboard Jones's vessel, they had the surprise of their lives, for instead of arresting they were themselves arrested. After this it seemed to Jones more prudent to leave Belfast alone, and get away with his capture. Meanwhile Captain Burden was getting anxious about his men, as the boat had not returned. Moreover he noticed that the supposed merchantman was now crowding on all possible sail, so he had once prepared his sloop for giving chase, and prepared for action, and on coming up with a privateer began a sharp fire. Knight however intervened, and the firing had to stop. But when daylight returned, the engagement recommenced and continued for an hour. A fierce encounter was fought on both sides, and at length Captain Burden and his first lieutenant were killed, as well as twenty of the crew disabled. The Drake's top mast was shot away, and the ship was considerably damaged, so that there was no other alternative but to surrender to the privateer. But as both sides of the Irish Channel were now infuriated against Jones, he determined to leave these parts, and taking his prize with him proceeded to Brest, where he arrived in safety. In the following year, instead of the Ranger, he had command of a frigate called the Boneholm Richard, a forty-gun ship with three seventy crew. In addition to this vessel, he also had the frigate Alliance of thirty-six guns and three hundred crew, the Brig Vengeance, fourteen guns and seventy men, a cutter of eighteen tons, and a French frigate named the Palas. All except the last mentioned were in the service of the American Congress. A little further down the coast of the Bay of Biscayne above Brest is Laurent, and from this port Jones sailed with the above fleet in the summer of 1779, arriving off the Kerry Coast, where he sent a boat's crew ashore to bring back sheep. But the natives captured the boat's crew and lodged them in trolley jail. After this, Jones sailed to the east of Scotland and captured a number of prizes, all of which he sent on to France. Finally, he determined to attempt no less a plan than burn the shipping in Leith Harbour and collect tribute from the undefended towns of the Fifeshire Coast. He came into the Firth of Forth, but as both wind and tide were foul, he let go under the island of Ingekeeth. Next day he weighed anchor and again tried to make leaf. But the breeze had now increased to a gale, and he sprung one of his top masts, which caused him to bear up and leave the Firth. He now rejoined his squadron and cruised along the east coast of England. Toward the end of September he fell in with a British convoy bound from the Baltic, being escorted by two men of war, namely, HMS Serapis, 44 guns, and HMS Countess of Scarborough, 20 guns, and then followed a most memorable engagement. In order that the reader may be afforded some opportunity of realising how dowdy an opponent was, this Paul Jones, and how this Corsair was able to make a ship of the Royal Navy's bright colours, I append the following dispatch which was written by Captain Pearson, Royal Navy, who commanded the Serapis. The Countess of Scarborough was under command of Captain Thomas Piercy, and this officer also confirmed the account of the disaster. The narrative is so succinct and clear that it needs no further explanation. The letter was written from the Texel, with her Pearson was afterwards taken. Palace, Frigate in Congress Service, Texel, October 6, 1779. On the 23rd alt, being close in with Scarborough about 12 o'clock, a boat came on board with a letter from the Bayless of that Corporation, giving information of a flying squadron of the enemy's ship being on the coast, of a part of the said squadron having been seen from thence the day before standing to the southward. As soon as I received this intelligence, I made the signal for the convoy to bear down under my lee, and repeated it with two guns, notwithstanding which the van of the convoy kept their wind with all sail stretching out to the southward from under Flambar Head, to between twelve and one when the head most of them got sight of the enemy's ships, which were then enchasted them. They then tacked, and made the best of their way under the shore of Scarborough, letting fly their top gallant sheets and firing guns, upon which I made all the sail I could to windward to get between the enemy's ships and the convoy, which I soon affected. At one o'clock we got sight of the enemy's ship from the masthead, and about four we made them plane from the deck to be three large ships in a brig. Upon which I made the Countess of Scarborough's signal to join me, she being inshore with the convoy. At the same time I made the signal for the convoy to make the best of their way, and repeated the signal with two guns. I then brought two to let the Countess of Scarborough come up, and cleared ship for action. At half past five the Countess of Scarborough joined me, the enemy's ships bearing down upon us with a light breeze at south-south west. At six, tacked, and laid our head inshore in order to keep our ground the better between the enemy's ships and the convoy. Soon after which we perceived the ships bearing down upon us to be a two-deck ship and two frigates, but from their keeping end upon us and bearing down we could not discern what colors they were under. At twenty minutes past seven the largest ship of the two brought two on our lee bow within musket-shot. I hailed him and asked what ship it was. They answered in English the Princess Royal. I then asked where they belonged to. They answered evasively, on which I told them if they did not answer directly I would fire into them. They then answered with a shot, which was instantly returned with a broadside, and after exchanging two or three broadsides he backed his topsoils and dropped upon our quarter within pistol-shot. Then filled again put his helm of weather and ran us on board upon our weather quarter, and attempted to board us, but being repulsed he sheared off, upon which I backed our topsoil in order to get square with him again, which as soon as he observed he then filled put his helm of weather and led us on board Haas. His mish and shrouds took our jib-boom, which hung for some time till it last gave way, and we dropped alongside each other head and stern when the fluke of our spare anchor hooking his quarter. We became so close for an aft that the muzzles of our guns touched each other's sides. In this position we engaged from half past eight till half past ten, during which time from the great quantity and variety of combustible matters which they threw upon our decks, chains, and in short into every part of the ship, we were on fire not less than ten or twelve times in different parts of the ship, and it was with the greatest difficulty and exertion imaginable at times that we were able to get it extinguished. At the same time the largest of the two frigates kept sailing round us during the whole action and raking us for an aft, by which means she killed or wounded almost every man on the quarter in main decks. At half past nine, either from a hand grenade being thrown in at one of our lower deck ports, or from some other accident, a cartridge of powder was set on fire, the flames of which running from cartridge to cartridge all the way aft blew up the whole of the people and officers that was quartered and bathed the main mast, from which unfortunate circumstance all those guns were rendered useless for the remainder of the action, and I fear the greatest part of the people will lose their lives. At ten o'clock they called for quarters from the ship alongside, and said they had struck. Hearing this I called upon the captain to say if they had struck, or if he asked for quarter. But receiving no answer, after repeating my words two or three times, I called for the borders and ordered them to board, which they did. But the moment they were on board her they discovered a superior number lying under cover with pikes in their hands ready to receive them, on which our people retreated instantly into our own ship and returned to their guns again until half past ten, when the frigate coming across our stern and pouring her broadside into us again, without our being able to bring a gun to bear on her, I found it in vain, and in short impracticable, from the situation we were in to stand out any longer with any prospect of the success. I therefore struck. Our main mast at the same time went by the board. The first lieutenant myself were immediately escorted into the ship alongside, which we found to be an American ship of war called the Bonhomme Richard of forty guns and three hundred and seventy-five men commanded by Captain Paul Jones. The other frigate which engaged us to be the alliance of forty guns and three hundred men. And the third frigate which engaged and took the countess of Scarborough, after two hours' action, to be the palace, or French frigate, of thirty guns and two hundred and seventy-five men. The vengeance, an armed rig, of twelve guns and seventy men, all in Congress service under the command of Paul Jones. They fitted out in sales from Port Laudiant the latter end of July, and came north about. They have on board three hundred English prisoners, which they have taken in different vessels on their way round, since they left France, and have ransomed some others. On my going on board the Bonhomme Richard, I found her in the greatest distress, her quarters encounter on the lower deck being entirely drove in, and the whole of her lower deck guns dismounted. She was also on fire in two places, and six or seven feet of water in her hold, which kept increasing upon them all night and next day, till they were obliged to quit her. She had three hundred men killed and wounded in the action. Our loss in the Strappes was also very great. My officers and people in general behaved well, and I should be very remiss in my attentions to their merit, were I to admit recommending them to their lordship's favor. I must at the same time beg leave to inform their lordships that Captain Piercy, in the countess of Scarborough, was not the least remiss in his duty. He having given me every assistance in his power, and as much as could be expected from such a ship in engaging the attention of the palace, a frigate of thirty-two guns during the whole action. I am extremely sorry for the accident that has happened, that of losing his majesty's ship which I had the honor to command, but at the same time I flatter myself with the hope that her lordships will be convinced that she has not been given away, but, on the contrary, that every exertion has been used to defend her, and that two essential pieces of service to our country have arisen from it, the one in wholly oversetting the crews and intentions of this flying squadron, the other in rescuing the whole of a valuable convoy from falling into the hands of the enemy, which must have been the case had I acted any otherwise than I did. We have been driving about the North Sea ever since the action, and endeavoring to make to any port we possibly could, but have not been able to get into any place till today we arrived in the Texel. Herewith I enclose you the most correct list of the killed and wounded I have yet been able to procure, from my people being dispersed among the different ships, and having been refused permission to make much of them. R. Pearson. P.S. I am refused permission to wait on Sir Joseph York, the British ambassador, and even to go on shore. The killed were one Boson, one Mastersmate, two midshipmen, one quartermaster, 29 sailors, 15 marines, 49. Wounded, 2nd Lieutenant Michael Stanhope, Lieutenant Whiteman, marines, two surgeons' mates, six petty officers, 46 sailors, 12 marines, total 68. It is obvious that the British officers had fought their ships most gallantly, and the King showed his appreciation by conferring the honor of knighthood on Captain Pearson, and soon after, Piercy was promoted to the rank of post captain, and promotion was also granted to the other officers. But recognition was shown not merely by the state, but by the city, for the directors of the Royal Exchange Assurance Company presented Pearson with a piece of plate valued at a hundred guineas, and Piercy with a similar gift valued at fifty guineas. They further voted their thanks to the officers for having protected the rich fleets under their care. The British ambassador, Sir Joseph York, had considerable difficulty in procuring the release of the prisoners which Paul Jones had made from his majesty's ships. And although he strenuously urged the state's general to detain Jones and his ships as a rebel subject with unlawful ships, yet the squadron, after being carefully blockaded, succeeded in escaping one dark night to Dunkirk. Jones had lost his ship to the bone-home Richard as a result of the fight, and now made the alliance his flagship. The story of Paul Jones from now is not capable of completion. For a period of several years his movements were somewhat mysterious, though it is known that on one occasion he sailed across the Atlantic in a remarkable time of three weeks with dispatches from the American Congress. Then the fame of this remarkable fellow begins to wane. After peace was concluded the active brain and fervent spirit of his Paul Jones were not required, and he chafed under the fetters of unemployment. It is true that he offered his services to the Empress of Russia in 1788, but he seems very soon to have gone to Paris where he spent the rest of his life. There was no employment for him in the French Navy, and finally he was reduced to abject poverty and ended his days in the year 1792. The reader will doubt this have in mind that less than ten years ago the United States had the body of Paul Jones brought across the Atlantic and reburied in North America. It is not quite easy altogether to estimate the character of a man so contradictory as Paul Jones. Had he been born in another age and placed in different circumstances there is no telling how illustrious he might not have become. He was certainly a magnificent seaman and fighting man, but over and above all he was an adventurer. Idolized as a hero both in America and France he struck terror in Britain. His latest biographer has stated that the skull and crossbones never flooded from his masthead and that he never sailed with a letter of mark. But that being so it can only be a mere quibble which can save him from being reckoned among the most notorious pirates of history. A pirate is a person who performs acts of piracy. It seems to me that it makes little difference whether he hosts a conventional black pirate flag or not. It is not the flag which makes a pirate, but the deeds and intentions of which he is responsible. And if his biographer is correct in saying that Jones was never commissioned as a privateer, that is still one more proof that in raiding Whitehaven, the coast of Scotland, Ireland, England, capturing and burning merchant or fishing-craft on the seas, taking their crews into bondage, he was acting without any shred of legality and therefore a pirate pure and simple. A pirate and a very daring pirate he certainly was, though he was primarily a sailor of fortune. As one can see from his life, his devotion of adventure was far superior to his devotion to nationality, Scotch, English, French, American or Russian. He was willing and anxious to go wherever there was fighting, wherever glory could be obtained. He was a man who despised those who did not keep their word, and in the incident of his fulfilment of the promise made to Lady Selkirk in respect of the family plate, we have, at any rate in the life of Paul Jones, a proof that sometimes there is honour among thieves. But his death in abject poverty is but another illustration of the tragic ending which was customary in the lives of many notorious pirates. Chapter 18 of The Romance of Piracy. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Romance of Piracy by Edward Cable Chatterton. Chapter 18, A Notorious American Pirate. The notorious sea robber of whom we are to speak in the following chapter has been a special interest for English and American readers from the fact that he was a member of the Chesapeake during her historic duel with the Shannon. This Charles Gibbs was born in the state of Rhode Island in the year 1794. From the Selkie refractory character, which he exhibited as a child, any reader of human nature could have guessed that his career promised none too well. And when his full powers had been developed, he developed finally into a singularly cruel robber of the sea. From one cruelty to another, he sank lower and lower until the inevitable gallows were ready to put an end to his atrocities. Possessed of that rowing spirit, which was ever an early characteristic of those who were destined to become pirates, he threw up his work as farmhand at the age of 15, ran away from home and signed on as one of the crew in the United States Loop of War Hornet. Off the coast of Perambuco, this ship was in action and captured his majesty's ship, Slope Peacock. The commander of the former was Captain Lawrence, and on his return he was promoted to command the Chesapeake, and to that ship Gibbs accompanied him. When the Shannon emerged from Frefrey victorious, the survivors were taken as prisoners and imprisoned in Dartmoor, among them being Charles Gibbs. When prisoners were exchanged, he returned to Boston, Captain Lawrence having fallen in the engagement. For a time Gibbs now abandoned the sea and set up in business, but he was unable to lead a respectable life for sure. So back he went to sea, this time on board a privateer belonging to Buenos Aires. But a quarrel arising between the officers of the one part and the crew regarding the division of prize money, there ensued a mutiny. The mutineers won the victory and took possession of the ship. They proceeded to the coast of Florida, landed some of the ship's company, and then sailed to the West Indies to perform their piratical exploits. And in a short time had captured more than 20 ships and murdered about 400 human beings, Havana being used at the port, where they could conveniently dispose of their plunder. It is difficult to speak of a man like Charles Gibbs in cold blood. He was not a mere pirate, but a black guard and murderer of the wildest type. Of him it may be said in very truth that with his death, the world lost nothing but was the gainer. A pirate who in the heat of the moment when he's being violently opposed by another kills his aggressor is a criminal, whom we can understand, though not acquit. But a human fiend who, for no particular reason, unnecessarily sheds blood and bereaves women of husbands and children of fathers is a devil incarnate. Such was Gibbs. In the year 1819, he departed from Havana and returned to the United States. His accumulated wealth as a result of so many piracies amounting to about 6,000 pounds. After passing some time in New York and Boston, he sailed for England on the Emerald, but in 1826 was back again in the United States. Hearing of the war between Brazil and the Buenos Aires Republic, he sailed from Boston to fight, if possible, on behalf of the Republic. He made himself known to Admiral Brown and presently received a Leutnant's commission, being assigned to a 34 gun ship. For four months he served in this ship, and then as a result of his satisfactory conduct, he was given command of a privateer schooner, which carried two 24 pounders and 46 men. Sailing from Buenos Aires, he made a couple of successful privateering cruises, and then was able to purchase a half share in a Baltimore schooner. But after putting the sea, he was captured seven days out and taken into Rio de Janeiro, where he remained until the declaration of peace and eventually returned to New York. There followed another year's interval in roaming about from place to place, and then the French campaign against Algiers attracted him, not to fight on behalf of the French, but for the pirates. He accordingly embarked on a ship that landed him at Barcelona, whence he crossed to Port Machen and tried to make his way to Algiers. But the vigilance of the French fleet prevented him from getting any nearer than Tunis, and at last returned from Marcellus to Boston. A few days later he went to New Orleans, and there he signed on as one of the crew on board the vineyard break. Up till now he had led a restless wandering, wicked life of self-indulgence. He had robbed and murdered. But now we come to the climax and decline of his career. The details which follow are essential to the story, and they indicate better than any number of words the type of character to which Gibbs belonged. The skipper of this break was William Thornby. She sailed away from New Orleans, bound for Philadelphia, was a valuable cargo of cotton, sugar molasses, as well as over ten thousand pounds of dollars. When the ship was about five days out from her port, the crew began to talk about the money on board, and some of them, including Charles Gibbs, made up their minds to seize the ship. Before attaining this object, they realized they would have to kill the captain and mate. On the night of the 23rd of November, soon after midnight, the opportunity for putting this bastardly deed into action arrived. One of the crew, named Davis, was at the helm. As the break was ploughing her way over the lonely sea, rolling her masts across the star-specked sky, the steersman suddenly saw the steward emerge from below with a light in one hand and a knife in the other. He set down the light, and then taking the top of the pump, struck the captain on the head. The latter cried murder, but he was then seized firmly by Gibbs and the cook at the head and the heels, and without further delay, hoe overboard. Roused by the unwanted noise on deck, the mate now came up the hatchway, but as he approached two others of the crew, named Otwell and Church, were waiting for him, and struck him over the head, just as he was asking for the reason of the noise. The mate then rushed back into his cabin, followed by Gibbs, who, by reason of the darkness, could not find him. So the murderer ran on deck, fetched the binocle light, with the aid of which the helmsman was steering, and returned below. This time he found his victim, and two others of the crew knocked him down, and then dragged him on deck. Davis, since he could not now see his compass to steer by, left the helm to see what was going on. And as the other men were hauling the mate along, they called to Davis to assist him. In a few moments the mate was thrown over the side alive, and was even heard to cry out from the water twice. He was never picked up, so must have been drowned. Davis was terrified beyond expression at these two incidents, so that he scarcely knew what to do. The Confederates then ordered him to call a man named James Talbot, who had declined to take part in the plot. Talbot was in the forecastle saying his prayers. He came up, and the Confederates did not instantly put him to death, as he had quite expected, but on the contrary gave him some grog. The captain and mate, being now out of the way, the Confederates then got up a keg containing dollars. They then divided the captain's clothes, the sum of eight pounds which he possessed, and a gold watch. Davis was ordered to go back to the helm and to steer for Long Island, while Talbot was likewise compelled to do, as he was told. The next day several more kegs of speci, amounting to one thousand dollars each, were divided, and the speci placed into bags and sewn up. After this the money was divided up without counting it. Gips had been acting as captain ever since the two murders, and when they arrived about fifteen miles south-south east of Thouse Hampton Light, the ship's boats were ordered out, half the money was placed in each, and the survivors got in. Before in doing so, however, the ship was scuttled and set fire to in the cabin, so that before long she would found her, and so not exist as possible evidence against the assassins. But after the boats had rode away towards the shore, soon after daylight, they stuck on the bar. One of them was saved by throwing overboard about one thousand pounds in dollars, but the other was seen to fill and found her as the man in her vainly sought to cling to the masts of the craft. Those in the other craft, however, were more fortunate and landed at Barron Island, buried the money in the sand, and soon afterwards fell in with a man who took them to the only house on the island. But justice if delayed advanced with sure and certain steps. In the months of February 1831, Charles Gibbs and a man named Wonsley, who had been one of the Confederates, were brought up for trial in New York on a charge of murdering Captain Thornby. Wonsley was a negro and was found guilty and condemned to death. Gibbs, in his defense, said that when the ship started out from New Orleans, he was a stranger to all on board, accepting Dave's and one other. He pretended that it was not he himself who first suggested taking the money, but that after the subject had been discussed for some days, he agreed to join in the plot. He even protested, he alleged, that it would be better to give up the plan, as it was a serious thing to take human life and commit piracy. This, be it remembered, was Gibbs' version of the affair, but having regard to his past record, there is every reason to suppose that he was now adding lies to his other guilt. Three days later he averred, the murder took place, and all that he did was to help throw the captain's body overboard after he had been struck, when he presumed he had been killed. He protested further that he was innocent of the mate's murder, but the judge pointed out that even if Gibbs had not actually done the deed, he was there strongly instigating the murderers on, without stretching out a hand to save them. It is murder as much to stand by and encourage the deed as to stab with a knife, strike with a hatchet, or shoot with a pistol. It is not only murder in law, but in your own feelings and in your own conscience. So spoke the judge, and he, who had spent a life of license and piracy, marked by murders, with only occasional legitimate fighting, was condemned to the scaffold. To the end Gibbs, while admitting his guilt of piracy, yet insisted that he was innocent of the charge of murdering the captain, although it is true I stood by and saw the fatal deed done, and stretched not forth my arm to save him. Wandsley have ever frankly admitted the justice of the sentence and died penitent. We need say no more, but if there are any today who have still a secret affection for the pirates of yesterday, we can only suggest that although few of these pirates were covered, yet there is not one who showed himself little more than a vulture in human form. Very rare indeed does one find instances of these rude fellows giving mercy. There is now and again such an occasion, but it is like the stray blade of herbage in a wilderness. Personal vanity, the determination to get rich at all costs has brought many a crime in its wake, and if men are still dishonest in other ways, we can at least be thankful that the wholesale murders of the days of the pirates have long since ended. End of the section 18. Chapter number 19 of the romance of piracy. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by A. Brian Johnson from Kent, Ohio. The romance of piracy by Edward Keebold Chatterton. Chapter 19. The last of the Algerian Corsairs. And now let us take a final look at that pestilential spot, Algiers. We have seen how that during the 16th and 17th centuries it had been constantly attacked and conquered, but before long the Algerians had again broken out into piracy. So soon as their invaders withdrew their forces the Corsairs rebuilt their walls, fitted out their new craft, and went roving the seas and harassing innocent ships. They had pillaged the coastline of the French Riviera, burning and killing and destroying in their ruthless manner. And then the French had been compelled to send Admiral Duquesne against them, who had bombarded the palace for a time, until bad weather caused him to withdraw his ships from Algiers. The pirate trouble had therefore begun afresh, and the day had sent to Louis the impudent message that if the French monarch would give him half the money the last French expedition had cost, the day would be pleased to burn down his city. So once more Duquesne had been sent out, who had bombarded Algiers and caused wholesale destruction. Then he had consented to cease firing and discuss terms, but in the meantime the day had been assassinated by his own followers, who now elected a new one and ordered the Algerian flag to be re-hoisted on their walls. With greater fervor hostilities were now resumed, and then a few days the place was reduced to ashes, and large numbers of the Algerians had perished. This so infuriated the new day that he ordered all the French captives to be cruelly murdered, and with great brutality caused Father Vache to be bound hand and foot, tied to a mortar, and fired off like a bomb against the French fleet outside. Duquesne had then brought his ships as near in as possible, destroyed other shipping, fortifications, and buildings, and, having done all that he could, sailed away, leaving the Algerians plenty of subjects for meditation. And yet it was not long before these pirates had regained their good spirits and were again engaged in piracy. Was it not their profession and calling? Was it not by such methods that they kept themselves alive? They knew perfectly well that they were rogues, but as other men were traitors, so they were pirates. Therefore, diplomatic measures being so obviously impotent, the only way to treat with them was to keep on sending expedition after expedition. In 1700, Captain Beech attacked seven of their craft, drove them on shore, and burnt them. Less than a hundred years later, ten American ships had been seized by these corsairs, and 150 men from their crews taken into captivity. In order to obtain these men back, the Americans had to pay a heavy ransom and build today a 36-gun frigate. But thereby, they also received protection for the American ships and the right of free trade with Algiers. At an earlier stage of this book, I have had occasion in discussing the Muslim corsairs to refer to the Port of Bona, a little to the east of Algiers. In the year 1816, there was an establishment here for carrying on the coral fishery under the protection of the British flag. Here came a number of Corsican, Neapolitan, and other Italian fishercraft. A cinching day in that year fell on the 23rd of May, and as the fishermen were about to attend mass, there was a gun fired from the castle, and simultaneously there rushed into sight 2,000 infantry and cavalry, consisting of moors, Turks, and Levanters. Fire was opened on the poor fishermen, and practically the whole lot were massacred. The English flags were then torn to pieces and trampled on. The British vice consul's house was pillaged, as well as the supplies of coral, which had been obtained by the fishermen. As soon as news of this incident reached England, the country was roused to immediate action, and a punitive expedition was got together and sent out under Admiral Lord Exmouth. He had been delayed by headwinds, but got under way in the last week of July. His flagship was the 120 gun Queen Charlotte, rear Admiral Sir David Milton, being second in command in the 90 gun impregnable. There were also 374 gun ships in addition to a number of frigates, brigs, bombs, fire ships, and several smaller ships well supplied with shrapnel and the ordinary means of warfare of those times. By the 9th of August, the fleet had arrived in Anchorage, Gibraltar, where it was joined by the Dutch fleet of five frigates and a corvette under Admiral van Kaepelen. Meanwhile, HMS Prometheus had been dispatched ahead to Algiers to bring away the British consul and his family, but did not succeed in the entire task. By disguising them in the Midshipman's uniform, the consul's wife and daughter were able to escape, but the consul had been seized by the day and thrown into chains. For the Algiers had learned from French papers of the forthcoming British expedition, and having heard of the escape of Mrs. and Miss McDonald, he immediately ordered the detention of two of the boats from the Prometheus, which chanted to be a shore. The crews were thrown into slavery, but when this information reached the ears of Lord Exmouth, this, if anything were wanting, completed his eagerness to wipe out the plague spot of European civilization. So the fleet left Gibraltar and arrived before Algiers on 27th August. An interpreter was sent ashore with Lieutenant Burgess, the Admiral Slagg Lieutenant, under a flag of truce, with the letter to the day demanding reparation. And while this was being done, the fleet, taking advantage of a light breeze bringing up, came into the bay and hoped to about a mile from Algiers. But after waiting beyond the stipulated time, since no answer was forthcoming, Mr. Burgess and the interpreter returned to the flagship, where everyone was ready and anxious for the order to blaze away at the enemy. The Admiral now made a signal to know whether all the ships were prepared, and the affirmative answer being returned. The Queen Charlotte led the line towards the shore, and to the amazement of the enemy, ran across all the batteries without firing or receiving a single shot. She then brought up with an 80 yards of that mole, which the reader will recollect had been built long years before by Christian captives. The spot selected by the admirals where an Algerian brig was seen lying. The rest of the fleet, including the Dutch vessels, then took up their assigned positions in regular order. The position of the Queen Charlotte had been selected with great foresight, for here, she was exposed to only three or four flanking guns, while her own broadside swept the whole of the enemy's batteries. What so far, not a shot had been fired, and the shore batteries were lined with spectators who gazed in astonishment at the quiet order with which the ships had each come to her birth, in such close proximity to the defense of works. For a time, Lord Exmouth was in host that the day would yield to his Lord ship's demands, but this delay was not caused by any such intention on the part of the enemy, but owing to the fact that the Algerians were completely unprepared for such a sudden approach, and their guns were not even shot. It was only as the fleet came to anchor that the gunners ashore could be seen getting busy. To the last minute, the British admiral was minded to spare human life, and even was seen on the quarter-deck repeatedly waving his hat, as a warning to the crowd to retire from the mobile. So at 2.45 p.m., the enemy opened fire at the Queen Charlotte, before the sound of firing reached his ears, and while the first smoke was visible, Lord Exmouth gave the order to fire. And then three broadsides were fired in about six minutes, the rest of the fleet following the example. This caused terrible devastation ashore, as many as 500 people being killed or wounded. Then the attack began and deadly earnest. It was a repetition of the history of the 16th century. On the one hand, the Christian forces of Europe. On the other, the Infidel Corsairs, and enemies of the human race. Both sides fought with the same fierceness which had marked their contests in many a previous generation. The hot, overpowering sun. With the last vestige of British vanished away. The gunners had blazed away in fine style. Algern vessels in close proximity to the English fleet burst forth into flames, and for a time, endangered the wooden walls of England. On both sides, fractal slaughter was taking place. The day had 500 guns mounted and doing their work to our great loss, but our own men and guns were hurling death until the nest of pirates in a manner that surprised the Algerns. There was in the breasts of the invaders not merely the hatred of the Algerns as infidels and pirates, but the fact that these men had been responsible for the capture of so many Christian ships and the cruelties to so many European seamen, suffice to increase the determination and enthusiasm with which the destruction was being dealt out to these poisonous wasps. But if the enemy was clearly suffering heavy losses, the attackers were not without heavy casualties. About sunset, Rear Admiral Mild made a signal to Lord Exmouth announcing the losses on the impregnable alone as 150 killed and wounded and requesting that if possible, a frigate might be sent to take off some of the enemy's fire. The Glasgow was therefore ordered to go and actually got up her anchor, but the wind was so scant that she was obliged to get in to let go, though in a rather more favorable position. But meanwhile, on shore, flames were bursting out and making an end to matters. One of the enemy's frigates had been gallantly boarded and set on fire, but now all the Algerian ships in the port were in flames, and then the fire spread with all devouring force to the arsenal and storehouse, causing a marvelous sight against the background of darkness. Our shells had been splendidly aimed, and although in some cases they had to be fired right across our own men of war, yet never an accident occurred to our ships as they went to find their billet in the home of the Algerian pirates. And then, as if to bring about the climax of this hot battle, the attacking fleet had brought near to the battery of the enemy the special ship, which had been specially charged with explosives. And as she blew up, there was another wealth of damage done to the cause of the defenders, and so by midnight, the enemy's batteries had been silenced, and in the morning, the day was compelled to surrender. The net result of Lord Exmouth's fine attack was as follows. 1200 Christians were released from their terrible slavery, all the demands were complied with. The British Council had been indemnified for his losses, and the day, in the presence of all his officers, made an apology for the insults offered. Even though, a few years later, the French had further trouble with these Algerians, yet Exmouth's expedition had the effect of giving the death blow to a monster that had worried Europe for about three centuries. The scourge of the titeless Mediterranean had been obliterated. The murders and enslavery of so many thousands and thousands of European Christians of past centuries had been avenged, and a universal enemy, which neither Charles V nor Andrea Doria, nor many another, had been able to exterminate was now laid low. The combined squadrons of those two historic maritime nations, Great Britain and Holland, had shown that even a race so long and accustomed to the sea, as the Algerian pirates could not resist for all time. In the history of the world, few nations have ever done so much for the development of ships and sea power, as these two northern peoples, and the chance which enabled them to combine forces against a common evil of such antiquity was singularly happy. End of chapter 19, recording by A. Brian Johnson from Kent, Ohio. Chapter 20 of The Romance of Piracy This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Romance of Piracy by Edward Cabell-Chatterton. Chapter 20. Pirates of the Persian Gulf We have seen throughout this volume that there have always been certain geographical areas which have been favored by pirates as their suitable sphere for rowing. Madagascar, Malabar, the North Coast of Africa, the West Indies, these and others have been the scene, not of one piratical incident, but of scores. The Persian Gulf is to this day not quite the peaceful corner of the globe that undoubtedly someday will become. It is still patrolled by the Royal Navy for various reasons, including the prevention of gunrunning. Just how long the Persian Gulf has been navigated, it would be impossible to say, but there is every reason to suppose that if the first kind of boat which ever floated was seen on the Tigris or Euphrates, the first sea-going craft was observed in the Persian Gulf. At any rate, it is certain that the Arabians who occupy Zad Peninsula, which separates the Red Sea from the Persian Gulf, were in the early stages of history the greatest navigators and seamen anywhere. Even right down to the Middle Ages for scientific navigation was the aid of those nautical instruments which were the forerunners of our modern sextant. There were no mariners who could find their way across the trackless seas so skillfully as these inhabitants of Arabia. From time immemorial there have dwelt on the west side of the Persian Gulf an Arabian tribe named the Jossamese engaged in maritime pursuits either in trading or pearl fishing or as pilots to strange ships entering the Gulf or else acting as pirates. For it was obvious to them that this last mentioned occupation held out much that was tempting. So the Jossamese began in a small way pillaging the coasting vessels of the Gulf and as they found their efforts in this respect were so successful they aspired to bigger things. We are speaking now of that fascinating period of the sailing ship which belongs to the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries. The reader will instantly call to mind those fine ships of the East India Company so smart and similar to the ships of the Royal Navy in appearance and so similar in discipline an actual build. Shortly before the close of the 18th century the Viper a 10 gunned East Indian man was lying at anchor in the Bushir roads. Bushir is a port on the East or Persian side of the Gulf. In the same harbor there were at anchor also a few doves. Up till now these pirates had never molested an English ship. They had confined their attention to native craft so no efforts had been made to deal with them. Now the skippers of these doves had applied to the Persian agent of the East India Company for a supply of gunpowder and cannon shot to last them out their crews. And as the agent had no suspicion whatever he gave them an order to the commanding officer on board for the desired quantity. It happened that the Viper's captain was ashore so the order was produced to the officer in charge. The quantity mentioned was handed over and the doves began to make sail. The Viper's crew were breakfasting on deck and the officers below when without any warning a couple of these doves began to cannonade the Viper and the crews attempted to come aboard. No time was lost on the Indian man however for the officers rushed up on deck called the crew to quarters cut the hempen cable got sail on her so as to be ready for manoeuvring and the regular engagement began between the Viper and the four doves which had plenty of men and big guns. It was a determined onslaught and Leutnant Caruthers the commanding officer was wounded in the lower part of the body but bravely kept on until he was killed by a ball in the forehead. The command now fell to Mr. Salter Midshipman who continued the fight not less courageously and after a keen encounter drove the pirates off and chased them out to sea. This gave them a severe lesson so that years passed by before another similar attempt was made on the British flag but in the year 1804 there was a renewed attempt on the following story though a little involved is of real interest. It begins with the East India Company's cruiser named Fly and the scene is still in the Persian Gulf. At the time we're speaking of this ship was off the island of Ken when she had the bad fortune to be attacked by a French privateer. In order however to prevent the enemy boarding her she was purposely run onto a shoal and the government dispatches which she was carrying together with some treasure were thrown overboard in two and a half atoms cross bearings having first been taken so that perhaps these might be recovered at some future date. The passengers and crew were taken to Bushair and set liberty. They then purchased a dough by subscription fitted her out and sailed down the Gulf bound for Bombay. On their way they stopped near Ken Island to recover the dispatches and treasure. The former they managed to get up again and as there was no time to waste they left the treasure and they're hurrying on to their goal. But when they got to the south of the Gulf they had even worse fortune for they were attacked by a fleet of Jossamy pirates and taken into the port of Ras al-Kima which was to these Arabian rovers what Algiers had been to the corsairs of the Mediterranean. Here the English remained in the hope of being ransomed but no such opportunity occurred. Months went by and at least they determined to do what they could. They informed the pirate chief of the treasure which lay sunk in the Gulf and assured him that having taken good cross bearings of the spot by the marks on shore the wealth could be recovered if some of these Arabians saw accustomed to pearl diving would assist them. The arrangement was that if the treasure was recovered the English should regain their liberty. So English and Arabians sailed to the spot and anchored where the cross bearings indicated. The first divers who went down were so successful that all the crew dived down to the bottom of the 15 feet in turns. And then came the great chance of escape. While practically all these men were below the water on the floor of the sea it seemed that the real opportunity was at hand after all those months to get away. The picture is not without humor the prisoners above in the craft while the captors are left behind with no alternative but to swim ashore. But the best laid schemes of mice and men often work out differently from mere theory. The cable was cut and either the splash of the rope in the water or some suspicious instinct in these primitive peoples betrayed the plot so the divers rushed up again to the surface and prevented the consummation of the prisoners' desires. But for all that the pirates kept their word. The treasure had been recovered so the prisoners were given their liberty. The promise was kept literally and no more. For being placed on the island of Ken there was no means of escaping from this limited freedom and further there was practically nothing to eat. The pirates came ashore at the same time and put to death all the inhabitants and the Englishmen thinking it might be their own turn next took to hiding in the rocks as best they might going out under cover of night to steal a goat or whatever food might fall into their hands. But when at last the pirates had completed their bloody work they departed leaving the Englishmen the sole inhabitants. It was clear to the latter that if they wished to keep alive they too must quit the island but what were they to do for a boat? And here again we have one of those instances which in fiction would be far fetched. When they were most in despair they had the good fortune to find a wrecked boat on the beach which might be capable of being repaired. Through the silent deserted town the mariners searched until they were able to bring down to the beach an adequate supply of timber for patching up the boat and for making also a raft. In a few days both of these were ready and the party in two sections began to endeavour to cross to the Persian shore. But one of the sections foundered and were never seen again while the other reached the mainland and then following the line of coast obtaining food and water from the villages through which they passed they arrived at length after terrible privations at Bushire still having preserved their government dispatches. Then they proceeded to Bombay but out of the whole company there were only two that arrived though the bag of dispatches was brought at last into safety. In the following year two English Briggs were also captured by these pirates while the former were sailing from Bombay to Bussara and the crew taken to an Arabian port once they succeeded in escaping though the piracies now continued unabated. By the year 1808 these Jossamese were becoming exceedingly strong and impudent. Their many successes had made them more desperate than ever and the time-honoured practice of heaving the resisting captain overboard was of course resorted to. One of the most daring attacks was that on the south an East India Company's cruiser of 60 tons mounting eight guns. She was bound from Bombay to Persia and when she had arrived in the Gulf she was attacked by a fleet of these Arab Do's. The commander of the south was Aloitin and Graham. He of course observed these craft approaching him but he had been previously warned by the Bombay government not to fire upon any of these Do's until he had first been fired at. Under the circumstances one would have thought that was a clear instance when orders might have been disobeyed for before he had even time to hoist his colors to indicate his nationality the Do's had thrown themselves against the south poured in a shower of stones wounded many of the crew and then leapt aboard and captured the vessel before a single shot had been fired. Those whom they had not killed were now slain with the sword and the enemy being in sole possession made sail and took the ship along triumphantly their Do's bearing them company. But before long the commander of the squadron hoe in sight cruising in the frigate Nereid seeing the Sylph with so many Do's alongside he correctly surmised that the East India man had fallen a victim to the pirates. So giving chase to this assorted fleet he soon came up to the East India man and the Arabs having leapt again into their Do's the commander was able to regain the Sylph though he was unable to capture either Do or Arab. And then the East India government began to realise that something ought to be done to end these repeated attacks. So an expedition was sent from Bombay consisting of a frigate and a 38 gunship as well as eight East India company's cruisers four large transports and a bomb cage. These at length arrived at Russell Kimmer anchored before the town and landed the troops. The Arabs assembled in crowds to attack the invaders but the trained troops were too great a match for them. The regular volleys and the charge at the point of the bayonet caused very heavy losses to the enemy. The place was burned down 60 of their Do's and Boats as well as an English ship which they had previously captured were also consumed in flames and the troops were allowed to plunder all that they found. With very small loss to the invaders the whole place had been wiped out though it was thought that the treasures had been taken inland by the pirates. The expedition afterwards sailed to Linga another of these pirate ports and burnt it to the ground and after an exciting encounter yet another port named Luft was also overcome. It happened on this wise because the channel was very difficult and narrow the ships had to be barbed to their anchorages. The troops were then landed and it was hoped to have been able to blow up the gate of the fortress with a hobitzer specially brought for such a purpose. The fortress walls were 14 feet thick so it would have been a tough business to have raised them to the ground. But the English were picked off by the enemy so disastrously from the loopholes of the fortress that a general flight took place of our men. And the hobitzer was left behind. The troops lay hidden till darkness came on and were thus enabled to make for the beach where they embarked without further assault from the enemy. But as the dawn came judge of the surprise of the invaders when they saw a man on the top of the fortress walls waving the union jack. The whole squadron marveled and rubbed their eyes in amazement. Who was it? And how had we remained there alive and what were the enemy doing? The answer was soon found. This gallant gentleman was Leutnant Hall who was in command of the fury, one of the ships nearest to the shore. During the darkness he had put off from his ship, landed alone with the union jack and advanced to the castle gate. Here he found the fortress had been for the most part abandoned and there were a few of the enemies still remaining. When they saw the British officer these presumed that there were more of his followers coming on so they fled precipitately. All that the officer now had to do was to take possession single-handed. It was a plucky, cool act and well worthy of remembrance. The fleet got underway again, bombarded for several days another pirate stronghold named Shennaz. A breach was made in the castle walls and even now a stubborn resistance was made the Arabs fighting finally till they lost. But the town was overcome and left a mere ruin. And such was the effect of this protracted expedition that for some years following the pirates were compelled to reverence the British flag whenever they were tempted to attack our ships at sea. But as it was with Algiers though with these Arabian pirates the respite did not continue long and by the year 1815 the Arabian does were infesting the entrance of the Red Sea. Under their admiral Amir Ibrahim a fleet of them the following year captured near the straits of Babelmamdab four British vessels richly laden with cargo from Surat. So again a British squadron had to be sent against them. This consisted of his majesty's ship Challenger and the East India Company's cruisers Mercury, Ariel and Vestal which were dispatched to the port of Russell Kima where a demand was presented for the return of the four Surat ships or if not forthcoming then the payment of four lax of rupees coupled with the handing over of Amir Ibrahim. This town stands on a narrow tongue of sandy land pointing to the northeast presenting its northwest edge to the open sea and its southeast edge to a creek which ran up to the southwest and affords a safe harbor for small craft. Round towers and isolated walls were seen but no continuous wall. There were about 10,000 inhabitants in the town and the port boasted of 60 doors manned by crews from 80 to 300 men. In the present instance they were assisted by another 40 doors from other ports. In short the concentrated force amounted to about 100 doors and 8,000 fighting men. After some fruitless negotiation the signal was made to the British squadron to get up anchors and standing close to the shore. This was followed by another signal to engage with the enemy and the squadron bore down nearly in line before the wind and their easy sail till they got near where four doors were lying at anchor the depths of the water gradually shoaling till they found themselves in two and a half fathoms. At this sounding the squadron anchored with springs on the cables so that each vessel lay with her broadside to the shore. Fire was now opened against these four of the enemy craft the latter seething with men brandishing their weapons in the air. At first some of our shells reached the shore and buried themselves in the sand. Others fell across the bows of the Arab craft. On all the forts were seen the Arab colors flying and crowds of armed men were visible on the beach. But unhappily the whole of this bombardment availed nothing and a bloodless battle was brought to an end. In the year 1818 as these pirates had assumed such strength and daring to the great menace of commercial shipping another fleet had to be sent against them. For the Arab dose had not merely plundered ships at sea but ravaged the Seacoast towns on islands as well as mainland. But the British ships now dispatched intercepted them and drove them back into the Gulf. In one day as many as 17 doves were being chased by one of ours but the wind just suited the Arabian craft so that they managed to get away and so we might continue. For years these pirates caused grievous trouble and for years they had to be dealt with. Perhaps the time will come when the Persian Gulf will be as safe for navigation as the English Channel is today with regard to the elimination of pirate craft. Matters have, thanks to the patrolling by the Royal Navy, improved considerably but that there is still danger is well known and it would be foolish to ignore it. For we must remember that it is a hard task to exterminate such an ancient profession as piracy and especially when the practice is carried on by such an historic race of seamen as the Arabs. When any community has been accustomed for centuries and centuries either in the Persian Gulf or the Red Sea or the Arabian Sea or the Indian Ocean to gain their living by sea robbery when they have made such a careful study of the local navigation and the habits of their potential victims it is no easy matter for these men suddenly to relinquish their previous habits and to give up their hard-earned knowledge. It would be just as easy for a Bricksham or low-stove fisherman to give up his vocation and take to farming or manufacture as it has been for the Arab Slaver on pirate to become a law-abiding seamen. But as so many of the notorious piratical seas in the past have been cleansed beyond all expectation so, doubtless, the time will come when the last sea robber has disappeared from both hemispheres and the pirate has become an extinct as Zedodo. But whether the story of the sea will thereby be as interesting and exciting as in previous ages is quite another matter.