From 1650 to 1730, pirates, mostly from England and France, robbed ships returning from the colonies.
At the beginning of 1702 along the coast Mauritiusthe ship’s crew Loudspeakera former French slave frigate they had captured two years earlier pirate The Englishman John Bowen is abundantly watering his multiple catches in the Indian Ocean. For several years now, fleeing the repression that is in full swing in the West Indies, sea outlaws have been migrating little by little from the Caribbean to the South Seas, attracted by the numerous opportunities for a lucrative catch (gold, gems, spices, silk…). But on January 7 at Loudspeaker, the fun turns to tragedy: caught in a storm, the rum-soaked bandits cannot properly steer the ship in this area of strong currents, dotted with numerous islets and sandbars. Despite the unloading of several cannons, on Loudspeaker shipwrecked. 200 pirates manage to return to shore, alive and well.
Three centuries later, a shipwreck Loudspeaker it always rests on the bottom of the water, between 3 and 7 meters deep. Although many archaeological remains remain in place, including 34 guns made of cast iron, the excavation campaigns discovered more than 1,700 objects of all kinds (weapons, furniture, navigational instruments, dishes, coins…). For Jean Soulat, associate researcher at the University of Caen, also co-president of the Archeology of Piracy association, “all these objects allow, along with the archives, a better understanding of the daily life of pirates”. Mostly a fantasy life, today as then.
The golden age of piracy: seas full of pirates
We are after the era of discovery of the 15th and 16th centuries. While the great powers, including the Kingdom of France, are at perpetual war, European colonies, especially on the American continent, are experiencing a boom. Their size and wealth continued to grow, as did the merchant navy that served them. In the absence of a solid local government and adequate military protection – the metropolis is far away and has other priorities -, pirates AND noisemakers they have a field day, robbing ports and ships… while recruiting a few people along the way! Because living conditions on merchant ships are difficult: maneuvering a sailing ship or loading and unloading cargo are strenuous and dangerous activities; there is no day off and the captains are often cruel. “For many freedom-loving sailors, piracy becomes an acceptable professional conversion to escape poverty,” emphasizes the archaeologist. At the peak the golden age of piracyat the beginning of the 18th century, almost 4,000 pirates sailed the world’s seas.
The reality of pirate life: promiscuity, diseases and accidents at sea
But upon arrival, the hopes of these sailors-turned-robbers were somewhat dashed. “There is little water and food on the ships,” continues Jean Soulat, “Men live in promiscuity. They are very sensitive to diseases such as scurvy. And maneuvers are still just as dangerous: mutilations and scars are more associated with numerous accidents on board than with saber blows during collisions ” Because, contrary to popular opinion, the daily life of a robber is not a continuous series of successful captures! it is above all a long stay on the water A in the event of a collision, the priority is not in combat.
Opportunistic pirates rather than bloodthirsty
“They are above all opportunists,” recalls Jean Soulat, “There were a few bloodthirsty pirates, but most of them had no interest in fighting and destroying the ship they boarded.” Handsome pirate John Rackham therefore, he is known to avoid conflict as much as possible, using more psychological terror – by raising the famous “Jolly Roger” flag. – and with pretense to achieve his goals. After boarding the desired ship, the priority goal of the pirates was to re-arm, grabbing as many cannons, guns and ammunition as possible. On Queen Anne’s RevengeAn Englishman’s ship Black bearddiscovered off the coast of North Carolina in 1997 and officially identified in 2012, archaeologists have found an incredible 250,000 lead bullets from pistols and rifles!
Pirate Heist: Treasures from Different Cultures
“THE pirate ships they were too armed, confirms Jean Soulat. We often recognize them that way.” Another clue: the objects found on the ship belonged to people from very different cultures. Because after the robberyarms, the pirates got their hands on goods (food, water, spices, cotton, slaves, gold, etc.), which later led to a division of the booty. “On Loudspeakerwe found out ingots cut or even gold jewelry intentionally broken for distribution,” emphasizes Jean Soulat. The “treasure” of John Bowen’s ship also included coins from around the world, furniture from Europe, two bronze statuettes from South India, Chinese porcelain and about 200 pearls that the pirates could appropriate as personal belongings crew members (belt buckles, shoes, clothes, etc.) Once on land, in liberation areas such as the Caribbean or Sainte-Marie islands, in the Indian Ocean, pirates sold or traded them Others simply disappeared after have hit the jackpot, as Henry Every said “Long Ben” as he attacked the ship Ganj-i-Sawai in 1695, he got hold of a fortune estimated at that time between 325,000 and 600,000 pounds sterling, or more than 100 million euros!
Death penalty for pirates
But in reality, few people have acquired their wealth and been able to profit from it. “The life of a pirate was two years on average,” insists Jean Soulat. And this is especially true because from the end of the 16th century until 1730 searching for pirates will intensify, first in the Caribbean and then in the Indian Ocean, because their activity is too harmful for the merchant navy. So, filibuster Bartholomew Robertsaka Black Bart – which was shot down by the English navy in 1722 – allegedly captured more than 400 ships in just two years! England has a particularly repressive policy. In 1721, the British Parliament passed a law making it punishable capital punishment any connection with pirates. Many pirates, including famous people like Rackham, were then hanged. Many others accept amnesties offered by various kingdoms. Even the most rebellious sometimes have to fall in line!
Privateer, legal pirate
At the beginning of the 16th century America is newly discovered and the Atlantic Ocean becomes a commercial boulevard… for almost exclusive benefit Charles Quint ! Spain rules the continent, except for Brazil, which is reserved for Portugal. France, a minor naval power, is furious. I will employ Franjo I private ship owners, such as Jean Ango, Viscount and Captain of Dieppe. After Spanish diplomatic pressure, King Francis I released Norman in 1537. Royal bans declared corsairs who continued to attack Spanish ships to be pirates. Proof that from a state servant to a bandit is just one step! And that it is the kings who make them move from one status to another.
After coming to the throne in 1558. Elizabeth I she also uses private individuals. But those she calls her “sharks” will soon escape her. In 1603, James I of England abolished racing letters. The former corsairs then settled on the Caribbean islands, forming groups of pirates. And if privateers are useful in time of war to harass the enemy, what should we do with them when peace is restored? The problem arose in 1714, after the War of the Spanish Succession, in which France, England, and the Netherlands opposed each other in the Americas. The governors who signed the treaties with the buccaneers asked them to stop their activities: to become planters or to join the navy. Some became pirates after all…
FURTHER
books
> A history of pirates, from the South Seas to Hollywood by Jean-Pierre Moreau (ed. Tallandier). Thanks to unpublished documents, the author traces the true history of pirates.
> The Archeology of Piracy in the 17th and 18th Centuries: A Study of the Daily Life of Pirates from the Caribbean Sea to the Indian Ocean under the direction of Jean Soulat. Bringing together 24 international contributions, this work presents the main archaeological sites associated with the Golden Age of Piracy.
> Pirates, privateers and pirates Alain Blondy (ed. Perrin). In this very detailed study, the academic, known as one of the best experts in the Mediterranean world, traces the history of these skiers at sea.
> Dictionary of corsairs and pirates under the guidance of Gilbert Buti and Philippe Hrodej (ed. CNRS). In 600 entries, this book brings vivid characters to life, from the most colorful, such as Drake, Jean Bart, Surcouf, Duguay-Trouin, Barberousse, to those forgotten by history.
Podcast
> Pirate Queen by Claire Richard (Arte Radio). This podcast, aimed at children, follows the fate of Anne Bonny (born Anne Cormac), an Irish pirate from the 18th century. Proof that there were also women in the filibuster!
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