Bartholomew Sharp
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Bartholomew Sharp (born c. 1650 – 1690?) an English buccaneer whose pirate career lasted only three years (1679-82). His flagship was the Trinidad.
Sharp's career as a pirate captain began when the buccaneers, with whom he was sailing round South America, needed a new commander. He quickly proved himself a natural leader and a capable seaman, however these qualities did not prevent him being deposed as captain in January 1681, after storms and setbacks provoked a mutiny. His successor was killed three weeks later and Sharp resumed command. Under him the buccaneers continued around South America and up to the Caribbean, taking 25 Spanish ships and plundering numerous Spanish towns.
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[edit] A Royal Pardon
Because England and Spain were not at war, the Spaniards demanded Sharp's prosecution for piracy. Sharp however presented the authorities with a book of maps taken from the Spanish ship El Santo Rosario in July 1681; their value to English seafarers was such that Sharp received a full pardon from Charles II.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
Pickering, David. "Pirates". CollinsGem. HarperCollins Publishers, New York, NY. pp-61. 2006.
