John Mucknell facts for kids

John Mucknell (born in 1608 in Stepney, London) was an English pirate who lived in the 1600s. He was a strong supporter of the King, Charles II, and was even made a knight! Charles II also gave him permission to be a privateer. This meant he could attack enemy ships during wartime, almost like a legal pirate. He was also made a Vice Admiral by the future King Charles II.

A Pirate's Life

Early Years

John Mucknell was born in 1608 in Stepney, a part of London, England. He grew up in a Catholic family. Later, he became a ship's commander for the East India Company. This was a very powerful company that traded goods between England and places like India.

From Commander to Pirate

Around 1643, John Mucknell had some disagreements with others on his ship. He was sailing on a new East India Company ship called the John, which had 44 cannons. During this trip, he left some of his enemies on a small island called Johanna. This island is located near the Comoros islands in the Indian Ocean.

After this, Mucknell sailed the John to Bristol, England. From there, he went to the Isles of Scilly.

Leading a Pirate Fleet

At the Isles of Scilly, John Mucknell took charge of other local pirates. His ship, the John, became the main ship of their group. There were about 11 ships in his pirate fleet. Mucknell and his fleet operated in the English Channel and the waters nearby. They were active between the years 1644 and 1651.

The Search for His Ship

Today, there are three original stories written by people who were on Mucknell's ship, the John. These stories tell us more about what happened.

A person named Todd Stevens, who looks for shipwrecks, believes he has found the remains of the John. In 2012, English Heritage, a group that protects historical sites, announced plans to explore the wreck underwater.

Todd Stevens has also written a book about John Mucknell. The book is called The Pirate John Mucknell and the Hunt for the Wreck of the John.