The pirates own book : $b authentic narratives of the most celebrated sea robbersEllms, Charles
History
The pirates own book : $b authentic narratives of the most celebrated sea robbers
Ellms, Charles
Pirates
He here took two grabs laden with provisions, and having some small
money and drugs aboard. These he plundered of what was for his turn,
kept them a fortnight by him, and let them go. Soon after they espied a
lofty ship, upon which they put to sea; but finding her European built,
and too strong to attempt, for it was a Dutchman, they gave over the
chase, and were glad to shake them off, and return to their station.
Fancying they were here discovered, from the coast of Arabia, or that
the grabs had given information of them they stood over for the
Ethiopian shore, keeping a good look out for the Mocha ships. A few days
after, they met with a large ship of about 1000 tons and 600 men, called
the Malabar, which they chased, kept company with her all night, and
took in the morning, with the loss of only their boatswain, and two or
three men wounded. In taking this ship, they damaged their own so much,
by springing their foremast, carrying away their bowsprit, and beating
in part of their upper works that they did not think her longer fit for
their use. They therefore filled her away with prisoners, gave them
provision and sent them away.
Some days after this, they espied a Portuguese man-of war of 44 guns,
which they chased, but gave it over by carrying away their maintopmast,
so that they did not speak with her, for the Portuguese took no notice
of them. Four days after they had left this man-of-war, they fell in
with a Portuguese merchantman, which they chased with English colors
flying. The chase, taking White for an English man-of-war or
East-Indiaman, made no sail to get from him, but on his coming up,
brought to, and sent his boat on board with a present of sweet-meats for
the English captain. His boat's crew was detained, and the pirates
getting into his boat with their arms, went on board and fired on the
Portuguese, who being surprised, asked if war was broke out between
England and Portugal? They answered in the affirmative, but the captain
could not believe them. However they took what they liked, and kept him
with them.
After two days they met with the Dorothy, an English ship, Captain
Penruddock, commander, coming from Mocha. They exchanged several shots
in the chase, but when they came along side of her, they entered their
men, and found no resistance, she being navigated by Moors, no
Europeans, except the officers being on board. On a vote, they gave
Captain Penruddock (from whom they took a considerable quantity of
money) the Portuguese ship and cargo, with what bale he pleased to take
out of his own, bid him go about his business, and make what he could of
her. As to the English ship, they kept her for their own use.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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