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In 1655 the British captured the island of [[Jamaica]] giving the buccaneers a safe haven from Spanish reprisal. Indeed, Jamaica’s lieutenant-governor after 1674, Sir Henry Morgan, was a buccaneer himself and under his leadership the buccaneers had become a fighting force capable of sacking cities. They crossed the isthmus twice to raid [[Panama]]. After the second raid, in 1680, some of them used captured Spanish ships to maraud along the Pacific coast as [[Francis Drake|Drake]] had done 100 years before.  

In 1655 the British captured the island of [[Jamaica]] giving the buccaneers a safe haven from Spanish reprisal. Indeed, Jamaica’s lieutenant-governor after 1674, Sir Henry Morgan, was a buccaneer himself and under his leadership the buccaneers had become a fighting force capable of sacking cities. They crossed the isthmus twice to raid [[Panama]]. After the second raid, in 1680, some of them used captured Spanish ships to maraud along the Pacific coast as [[Francis Drake|Drake]] had done 100 years before.  

The first Englishman to round [[Cape Horn]] sailing from west to east was a buccaneer, one Captain Bartholomew Sharpe. His published descriptions of the voyage and the narratives of members of his  crew were much read and were of interest to the Royal Society. One of Sharpe’s crew, William Dampier would sail several times around the world. – his descriptions of the natives of [[New Holland]] (the[[ Australian Aborigine]]s are the first by an Englishman and are still in print. It was Dampier who both marooned and rescued Alexander Selkirk, the inspiration for Robinson Crusoe, on his “desert island.”

The first Englishman to round [[Cape Horn]] sailing from west to east was a buccaneer, one Captain Bartholomew Sharpe. His published descriptions of the voyage and the narratives of members of his  crew were much read and were of interest to the Royal Society. One of Sharpe’s crew, William Dampier would sail several times around the world. – his descriptions of the natives of [[New Holland]] (the [[Australian Aborigine]]s are the first by an Englishman and are still in print. It was Dampier who both marooned and rescued Alexander Selkirk, the inspiration for Robinson Crusoe, on his “desert island.”

In 1685 England joined Spain in a war against France. This brought the English government down on the buccaneers and their heyday was over. Some joined their countries’ navies. Others settled down with their riches to develop farms and plantations in the Caribbean or the American colonies; or went back to their estates in their home countries. Some wrote books. Many became out-and-out pirates. (Indeed, the next 50 years are considered to be the classic age of Caribbean and Atlantic [[piracy]].)

In 1685 England joined Spain in a war against France. This brought the English government down on the buccaneers and their heyday was over. Some joined their countries’ navies. Others settled down with their riches to develop farms and plantations in the Caribbean or the American colonies; or went back to their estates in their home countries. Some wrote books. Many became out-and-out pirates. (Indeed, the next 50 years are considered to be the classic age of Caribbean and Atlantic [[piracy]].)

Reference:  "The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea."

Reference:  "The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea."

   

   

[[Category: Naval History]]

[[Category:Naval History]]