Among the most famous pirates who stalked the Indian Ocean were Henry Avery and William Kidd. Avery was a jolly sea captain who served in the Royal Navy before entering into Spanish pay as a privateer in 1694. He captured the British vessel Charles II, changed her name to the Fancy, and went off to Madagascar as a pirate. He soon had six ships under his command and took several prizes, ending in the capture of the Gang-ir-Sawai which earned him £325,000. Loaded with diamonds, he returned to England via the Caribbean and vanished. Legend has it that he died in poverty after merchants swindled him out of his fortune. New York based Kidd was a successful businessman who tried his hand at pirate hunting. But Kidd was no seaman, and losing his nerve, he killed a member of his crew and turned pirate himself. After seizing the Quedah Merchant, he returned to New York, hoping for a pardon.
LOOT
"Pieces of eight, pieces of eight" squawked the parrot. But money was not the
only thing the pirates wanted. Just as important were the supplies required to keep their ship afloat and themselves alive. So pirates also carried off food,
drink (especially rum, which lasted well in the tropical climate), rope, tools, anchors, medicines, tackle, and even masts and spars.
PIECES OF EIGHT Pieces of eight, the famous Spanish coins from the age of piracy, were worth one silver dollar. They were called pieces of eight because they were worth eight reals, and a real was one eighth of a dollar. Pirates were very careful about sharing their plunder equally, partly because they usually made agreements before going into action, and partly because swindlers soon came to a nasty end
"Pieces of eight, pieces of eight" squawked the parrot. But money was not the
only thing the pirates wanted. Just as important were the supplies required to keep their ship afloat and themselves alive. So pirates also carried off food,
drink (especially rum, which lasted well in the tropical climate), rope, tools, anchors, medicines, tackle, and even masts and spars.
PIECES OF EIGHT Pieces of eight, the famous Spanish coins from the age of piracy, were worth one silver dollar. They were called pieces of eight because they were worth eight reals, and a real was one eighth of a dollar. Pirates were very careful about sharing their plunder equally, partly because they usually made agreements before going into action, and partly because swindlers soon came to a nasty end
