Madagascar and its surrounding islands were a unique pirate base. For about 30 years, European buccaneers such as James Plantain ran their own pirate "kingdom." The remote and largely uninhabited tropical islands off the east coast of Africa provided excellent natural harbors. In its heyday, St. Mary's harbor sheltered more than a dozen pirate ships at the same time. When George Raynor returned here after seizing an Indian vessel in the Red Sea, he distributed loot worth £1,100 to every single member of his crew. It was sufficient to set them up for the rest of their lives. But this island existence was far from perfect. Too often it was not the pirates who made their fortunes, but the merchants who bought their booty for shipment to the West. There was little for the pirates to do but lie around, drinking and gambling. Not surprisingly, by about 1720 the "kingdom" collapsed.
Alexander Selkirk In 1707 Selkirk was sailing with the pirate William
Dampier. The two men did not get along, after an argument, Selkirk asked to be set ashore. Dampier duly obliged, leaving Selkirk on the uninhabited island of Juan Fernandez. As the pirates sailed off over the horizon, Selkirk changed his mind. Too late! It was four years before he was rescued.
Dampier. The two men did not get along, after an argument, Selkirk asked to be set ashore. Dampier duly obliged, leaving Selkirk on the uninhabited island of Juan Fernandez. As the pirates sailed off over the horizon, Selkirk changed his mind. Too late! It was four years before he was rescued.
