Charles Vane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Vane
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1724 woodcut of Vane from A General History of the Pyrates
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| Died | 29 March 1721 Port Royal, Colony of Jamaica
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| Piratical career | |
| Type | Pirate |
| Allegiance | None |
| Years active | 1718–1721 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Base of operations | West Indies |
| Commands |
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Charles Vane was an English pirate who sailed the seas around the Bahamas during a time known as the Golden Age of Piracy. He was executed on March 29, 1721.
Vane's exact birthplace is not known. He began his pirate adventures working with another famous pirate, Henry Jennings. Together, they attacked a camp that was salvaging treasures from Spanish ships wrecked off the coast of Florida in 1715. By 1717, Vane was leading his own ships and was a well-known member of a group of pirates called the Flying Gang in Nassau.
In 1718, Vane seemed to agree to stop being a pirate and accept a special offer of forgiveness from the King. However, just a few months later, he and his crew, including Edward England, went back to their pirate ways. Vane was known for being very tough with sailors from the ships he captured. In February 1719, Vane's ship was caught in a big storm near the Bay Islands. He ended up stranded on an island that wasn't on any maps. Later, a British ship found him, and he was arrested. He was taken to Port Royal, where he faced justice and was executed in March 1721.
Contents
Who Was Charles Vane?
Early Life and Pirate Beginnings
Not much is known about Charles Vane's early life. He lived in Port Royal before he became a pirate, but it's not certain if he was born there. Records from his time don't give many details about where he came from.
Vane started his pirate career by joining Henry Jennings in an attack on a camp. This camp was trying to recover treasures from Spanish ships that had sunk in 1715. By the summer of 1717, Vane was leading his own ship. By the end of that year, he had become one of the main pirate leaders operating from Nassau.
A Pirate's Life in Nassau
When news reached the pirates that King George I of Great Britain was offering a special "King's Pardon" – a chance for pirates to stop their activities and be forgiven – Vane was among those who didn't want to accept it. Many of these pirates also supported the Jacobite cause, which was a political movement at the time.
On February 23, 1718, Captain Vincent Pearse arrived in Nassau with his ship, HMS Phoenix. He wanted the pirates on the island to surrender. Vane was captured along with his ship, the Lark. Other pirate leaders, like Benjamin Hornigold, asked Captain Pearse to release Vane to show good faith, and he did. Vane then told Pearse he would accept the King's pardon. However, on March 21, Vane and his men, including Edward England, became pirates again. They captured a Jamaican ship. Vane returned to Nassau and caused trouble for Pearse, eventually trading their captured ship for the Lark. Vane left Nassau on April 4. Four days later, Captain Pearse also left, and Nassau was once again under pirate control.
After leaving Nassau, Vane continued to raid ships around the Bahamas. He became known for being very demanding when he captured ships, wanting to get all their valuable goods. Around this time, his crew renamed the Lark to the Ranger.
In May and June, Vane captured more ships, including a large French ship with 20 cannons. This French ship became his new main vessel.
Escaping the Governor
Vane was back in Nassau on July 22, 1718, when Woodes Rogers arrived to become the new governor. Rogers' ships blocked Vane's escape from the harbor. One entrance was too small for Vane's ship, and the other was blocked by Rogers' fleet. That night, Vane turned the captured French ship into a fireship. He set it on fire and sent it towards Rogers' ships. The fireship didn't cause much damage, but it forced Rogers' ships to move away, clearing an escape path. Vane quickly took control of a smaller 24-gun ship, the Katherine, and escaped through the cleared channel as Rogers' ships returned.
In July, Vane continued to capture ships near the Bahamas, working with Charles Yeats. A new ship Vane captured became his main vessel. In August, he sailed to Charleston and captured eight ships there. After seizing a ship with valuable cargo, he put the goods aboard Yeats' ship. Yeats then sailed away with the cargo and surrendered to the governor of South Carolina, receiving a pardon. The people of Charleston sent out two ships to hunt Vane, led by William Rhett. Rhett didn't find Vane, but his ships did find and capture another famous pirate, Stede Bonnet.
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In August, Vane prepared his ship for repairs near Abaco. His friend, Nicholas Woodall, secretly brought him supplies and ammunition. Meanwhile, Benjamin Hornigold had become a pirate-hunter and, with his partner John Cockram, tried to catch Vane. Vane managed to escape, but Hornigold and Cockram captured Woodall, who was then imprisoned by Governor Rogers.
Vane returned to Nassau in September, even threatening to take control of the city again. In October, Vane sailed to Ocracoke Inlet and met with Blackbeard, another very famous pirate. They might have been discussing joining forces. The two pirate crews celebrated together for several days before going their separate ways.
Losing Command
In October, Vane raided Eleuthera, taking supplies like drinks and animals. On November 23, Vane saw a large warship. When he raised his pirate flag, the warship responded by raising a French naval flag and began firing. Vane's ships were not as powerful, so he ordered a retreat. His crew saw this as a sign of fear. Because of this, they voted him out of command. His quartermaster, whose name is not known, took over. Vane and 16 others who supported him, including his first mate Robert Deal, were given a smaller ship.
The End of Charles Vane's Journey
Vane sailed to the Bay Islands, capturing smaller ships along the way. Robert Deal took command of one of these captured ships. In February 1719, Vane and Deal were caught in a powerful hurricane and separated. Vane's ship was destroyed, and he was stranded on an island where no one lived. When English ships later arrived near the island to get water, Vane tried to join one of their crews using a false name. However, an old acquaintance recognized him, and he was arrested.
Vane was taken to Spanish Town, Jamaica, and held in prison for many months. On March 22, 1721, he faced trial for piracy and was found responsible. He learned that Robert Deal had also been tried and executed earlier. Vane was sentenced to death, and on March 29, 1721, he was executed at Gallows Point in Port Royal.
See also
In Spanish: Charles Vane para niños
