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Bartolomew SharpEnglish filibuster
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- Bartholomew Sharp: English Buccaneer and Circumnavigator
- Raid on Spanish Ship and Journey to the Pacific (1680)
- In the Panama Gulf
- Joining and Leaving the Buccaneers
- Capturing Spanish Ships and Leading the Expedition
- Unsuccessful Attack and Change of Command
- Attack on Arica and Return of Sharp
- Abandonment by Several Pirates and Turning Point
- Capture of Spanish Ship and Secret Maps
- Failing to Navigate the Strait of Magellan
- Arrival in Plymouth and Trial
- Return to Buccaneering
- Governor of Anguilla and Later Life
- Disappearance and Legacy
Bartholomew Sharp: English Buccaneer and Circumnavigator
Early Life and CareerBartholomew Sharp was a renowned English buccaneer who gained fame for his extraordinary voyage around South America. Little is known about his early life, but according to his own testimony, he embarked on his buccaneering career in 1666. He may have participated in one of Henry Morgan's expeditions. William Dampier, in his writings, suggests that Sharp was among the leaders of the buccaneers who attacked the city of Segovia in Nicaragua in 1675.
Raid on Spanish Ship and Journey to the Pacific (1680)
The documented portion of Sharp's piratical career begins with an attack on a Spanish ship in the Gulf of Honduras, which he carried out alongside John Coxon. In late January 1680, Sharp set sail with Coxon and other buccaneers in a 25-ton, 2-gun bark from Port Morant, Jamaica. However, a storm separated Sharp's bark, leaving him stranded near the Isle of Pines while his companions plundered Puerto Bello. Sharp eventually reunited with Coxon, and with the combined force of 331 men, they attempted to cross the Panama Isthmus, guided by Kuna Indian guides.
In the Panama Gulf
On the Pacific coast, the buccaneers sacked the town of Santa Maria and seized several boats, including a 30-ton bark, which was placed under Sharp's command. As Sharp transferred his men to the larger vessel, the other captains pursued a second bark, once again leaving Bartholomew separate from his companions. However, he managed to capture a brigantine and reportedly enjoyed the company of a local beauty on one of the Pearl Islands.
Joining and Leaving the Buccaneers
Sharp eventually rejoined the buccaneers after a fierce battle in which they captured five Spanish vessels. After this engagement, Coxon decided to return to the Caribbean, while Sharp joined forces with Richard Sawkins and Edmund Cooke, who remained in the Panama Gulf. They established a base on Taboga Island, from where they controlled all maritime traffic in the gulf. Local merchants visited the island, purchasing slaves and other goods from the captured ships. Sawkins sent a letter to the governor with an offer to ransom the captive prisoners. However, the governor refused the ransom, and a second offer was also rejected.
Capturing Spanish Ships and Leading the Expedition
A week later, Sharp captured a large ship carrying weapons and money. The prisoners revealed that another vessel carrying a significant sum of money was on its way to Panama. Hunger forced the pirates to abandon their favorable position in search of a settlement to raid for provisions.
Unsuccessful Attack and Change of Command
At a meeting, the buccaneers decided to attack Pueblo Nuevo. However, the inhabitants, forewarned of their approach, had constructed rudimentary defenses. During the attack, Richard Sawkins and two of his crew were killed, and Sharp was elected as the new captain. However, the crew then split, with 60 men returning to the Caribbean while the remaining 146 headed down the coast to the Strait of Magellan.
After a series of setbacks, Sharp captured the small town of Coquimbo, but when the inhabitants failed to pay the demanded ransom, he ordered the city burned. The ship required repairs, so the pirates made their way to Juan Fernandez Island. At a council held on the island, Sharp was replaced as captain by John Watling.
Attack on Arica and Return of Sharp
Just as the buccaneers had settled on their new leader, three Spanish warships were sighted approaching the islands. The buccaneers, heavily outnumbered, chose to flee. A month later, the pirates under Watling's command attempted to raid the city of Arica but were unsuccessful; Watling and 30 others were killed in the assault. The remnants of the crew retreated, and Sharp was once again elected as captain. The corsairs continued their journey towards the Strait of Magellan.
Abandonment by Several Pirates and Turning Point
About a month later, the buccaneers captured several settlements. However, they still had no treasure and were running low on provisions. After two weeks, 44 pirates, including William Dampier, refused to continue and turned back for the Panama Isthmus. This marked a turning point in Bartholomew Sharp's voyage.
Capture of Spanish Ship and Secret Maps
The buccaneers carried out successful raids on coastal settlements, securing provisions and prisoners. In July, they seized a Spanish ship carrying around 37,000 pieces of eight. In early August, they captured another Spanish ship, the San Rosario, laden with liquor and silver. On board, Sharp found secret navigational charts that would later play a crucial role in his fate.
Failing to Navigate the Strait of Magellan
Strong storms prevented Sharp from navigating the Strait of Magellan, forcing him to sail around Cape Horn. He entered the Atlantic Ocean south of the cape.
Arrival in Plymouth and Trial
In February 1682, Sharp reached the island of Barbados. However, the presence of a warship in the harbor prevented his entry. Another harbor refused his request to anchor, so the pirates decided to sail directly to England. The ship arrived in Plymouth in April and was arrested. Less than three months later, Sharp faced trial in the Admiralty Court. The Spanish ambassador accused Sharp and his companions, Coxon and Williamson, of piracy and murder. However, King Charles II of England asked for a postponement and later insisted on an acquittal. The king had obtained copies of the secret Spanish charts captured by Sharp on the San Rosario, and after verifying their authenticity, he extended his favor.
Return to Buccaneering
Bartholomew Sharp was not only acquitted but also offered a commission to serve in the navy. However, the corsair declined. He purchased an old ship from the River Thames and managed to capture a French vessel in it, setting sail for the Caribbean once again.
Governor of Anguilla and Later Life
In the Caribbean, Sharp received a privateering commission against pirates and Indians. He joined forces with Coxon and Yankee and continued to raid Spanish settlements. During one expedition, Sharp's ship was attacked by French corsairs, and he spent several weeks as a prisoner on the ship of French buccaneer de Gramont. It is possible that de Gramont forced Sharp to participate in the capture of San Francisco de Campeche.
In the autumn of 1685, Sharp managed to leave de Gramont's fleet. He sailed north, reaching Bermuda, where he met the colony's governor, Colonel Richard Coney. Coney offered him a privateering commission in exchange for his support against several influential planters. Sharp executed this commission with such zeal that a number of planters lodged a complaint with the lieutenant governor of the Leeward Islands. The warship Dartmouth was dispatched to investigate. During the investigation, it was discovered that Sharp had recently sold around 30 Indians he had captured during his piratical days. Sharp was arrested and tried twice, but as the key witness against him was a Spanish mulatto, his testimony was disallowed as it was deemed insufficient in English law. The second trial was held after one of Sharp's crew was persuaded to testify against the captain. However, the witness spoke so poorly and incoherently that the court dismissed his testimony as well.
In 1688, Sharp settled on the island of Anguilla. He appointed himself as governor of the island and even issued false privateering commissions, collecting a percentage of the plunder taken. During the Anglo-French War that began in 1689, he actively defended the island against French encroachment.
Disappearance and Legacy
There is no record of Sharp's life for the following six years. In 1696, due to friction with the English authorities, he transferred to the Danish island of St. Thomas. However, he ran into debt there and was sentenced to life imprisonment and confiscation of property. He managed to escape, and this is where the records about Bartholomew Sharp end. His ultimate fate remains unknown.
