Benjamin Hornigold
(1680 - 1719)
Benjamin Hornigold was an English pirate with close ties to Edward Teach, who is better known as Captain Blackbeard. Hornigold’s career lasted from 1713 - 1718, and began at the end of the War of the Spanish Succession. He is thought to have served as a privateer for the English during the war, and turned to piracy at the end of the war.
Hornigold and his crew began by committing acts of piracy against merchant ships off the coast of New Providence. He then established a Republic of Pirates in Nassau, the capital of New Providence. This became a base of operations for Hornigold, and he and his second in command, Edward Teach, raided merchant ships in the area for several years. In spring of 1717, the pair quickly captured three merchant ships containing flour, spirits, and white wine, which contributed to the quickly growing wealth. The duo also fended off attacks from pirate hunting vessels who had been commissioned by various government officials to put an end to the Republic of Pirates.
Pirate operations continued, though Hornigold maintained a strict policy of not attacking any ships marked with the British flag, so as to legally remain a privateer in the eyes of his former countrymen. His crew took a vote, and elected to attack any ship they wished, and replaced Hornigold as captain. It is thought that this is when Benjamin Hornigold and Edward Teach parted ways, with Teach sailing for the Caribbean, and Hornigold to return to Nassau.
In 1718, word spread of a general pardon for pirates. Hornigold accepted the pardon offer, and was commissioned as a pirate hunter for the new governor of the Bahamas, Woodes Rogers. Hornigold then took to his new career of pirate hunting, but unfortunately was caught in a hurricane in 1719. It was in this hurricane that Hornigold became shipwrecked in uncharted reefs and perished.
Hornigold and his crew began by committing acts of piracy against merchant ships off the coast of New Providence. He then established a Republic of Pirates in Nassau, the capital of New Providence. This became a base of operations for Hornigold, and he and his second in command, Edward Teach, raided merchant ships in the area for several years. In spring of 1717, the pair quickly captured three merchant ships containing flour, spirits, and white wine, which contributed to the quickly growing wealth. The duo also fended off attacks from pirate hunting vessels who had been commissioned by various government officials to put an end to the Republic of Pirates.
Pirate operations continued, though Hornigold maintained a strict policy of not attacking any ships marked with the British flag, so as to legally remain a privateer in the eyes of his former countrymen. His crew took a vote, and elected to attack any ship they wished, and replaced Hornigold as captain. It is thought that this is when Benjamin Hornigold and Edward Teach parted ways, with Teach sailing for the Caribbean, and Hornigold to return to Nassau.
In 1718, word spread of a general pardon for pirates. Hornigold accepted the pardon offer, and was commissioned as a pirate hunter for the new governor of the Bahamas, Woodes Rogers. Hornigold then took to his new career of pirate hunting, but unfortunately was caught in a hurricane in 1719. It was in this hurricane that Hornigold became shipwrecked in uncharted reefs and perished.
“In one of which voyages ... Captain Hornigold, another of the famous pirates, was cast away upon rocks, a great way from land, and perished, but five of his men got into a canoe and were saved.” - Captain Charles Johnson, A General History Of The Pyrates
Benjamin Hornigold is most famous for his establishment of the Republic of Pirates at Nassau. He also served as a mentor to Edward Teach. His legacy is that of a privateer - turned - pirate - turned - pirate hunter, and there is no doubt that he set the stage for other infamous pirates in the Caribbean and Bahamas.