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Bartholomew RobertsWelsh pirate
Date of Birth: 17.05.1682
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Bartholomew Roberts: The Welsh Pirate
- The Royal Rover & Fortune
- Captures & Renaming
- The Royal Fortune (French Warship)
- The Royal Fortune (Onslow)
- Structural Modifications
- - Superstructures were demolished, creating a level deck for piracy.
- Conclusion
Bartholomew Roberts: The Welsh Pirate
Bartholomew Roberts embarked on a swashbuckling career, commandeering a succession of vessels during his time as a pirate captain.
The Royal Rover & Fortune
In July 1719, Roberts was elected captain of the 30-gun Royal Rover, but when he pursued a brigantine in a captured sloop, his crew mutinied under the leadership of Walter Kennedy, his Irish first mate. Roberts seized the 10-gun sloop and renamed it Fortune, forcing his crew to pledge allegiance atop the Bible. Aboard Fortune, he sailed from Africa to Newfoundland.
Captures & Renaming
In Trapani, the pirates mounted 16 guns on a captured Bristol galleon. Off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, they seized a 26-gun French merchant ship, initially named Good Fortune, later rechristened Royal Fortune. In the West Indies, they captured a swift 18-gun brigantine that became Good Fortune, placed under Thomas Anstis' command. However, Anstis and discontented crew members secretly departed in early 1721.
The Royal Fortune (French Warship)
With his two Fortunes, Roberts captured a 42-gun French warship, also named Royal Fortune. This triumph was significant, as the warship was considered impregnable and carried the governor of Martinique, who was executed in retribution for his earlier execution of Roberts' men.
The Royal Fortune (Onslow)
Roberts later seized the Onslow, a ship belonging to the Royal African Company. After modifications, it became a pirate vessel named Royal Fortune. On this ship, Roberts met his end in February 1722, engaging the Swallow, a British naval ship.
Structural Modifications
Intriguingly, Roberts' pirates preferred trading vessels over warships. Historians speculate that the hulks of their captured French ships might have been rendered vulnerable by marine parasites. Charles Johnson detailed the transformation of Roberts' prizes:
- Superstructures were demolished, creating a level deck for piracy.
- Gun ports were cut in the hull, accommodating a powerful battery.- Partitions within cabins were removed, ensuring camaraderie.
- Large vessels were outfitted with up to 40 guns.
Large Vessels in the Caribbean
Large ships were scarce in the Caribbean in the 18th century. While vessels of 100-200 tons were common, larger ships were typically based in London, employed in long-distance trade. In contrast, pirate ships often outmatched merchant crews in size and firepower.
Conclusion
Bartholomew Roberts' command over a series of ships enabled him to terrorize the seas, capturing vessels from Africa to Newfoundland. His modifications extended their capabilities, transforming them into formidable pirate havens that earned him infamy and fear across the maritime world.
