Michael Geare facts for kids

Sir Michael Geare (born around 1565) was an English sailor, privateer, and merchant from the 1500s. He was one of the famous Elizabethan Sea Dogs. These were English sailors who often raided Spanish ships and lands. Geare was well-known to the Spanish in the West Indies and the Spanish Main. He commanded a ship called the Little John. He was very active in these areas until he retired in 1603.

Early Life and Voyages

Michael Geare was born in Limehouse, London, around 1565. He reportedly came from a poor background. As a young man, he trained to be a sailor.

He started his first voyages with Sir George Carew. Later, he sailed with Captain John Watts. Geare became well-known between 1588 and 1591 during these trips.

The Little John

In 1591, Geare took part in an important mission. This was the successful Blockade of Western Cuba expedition. He was the captain of the Little John. This ship was part of a five-ship fleet. The fleet was led by William Lane. Famous people like Sir Frances Drake helped pay for it.

Lane spoke highly of Geare's bravery in battles. Geare began to earn a good amount of money. This came from privateering and smuggling. Privateering meant he had permission from England to attack enemy ships. Lane later started paying for the Little John himself. In 1592, Lane became Geare's partner. The ship was then renamed the Michael & John.

Adventures in the West Indies

Over the next three years, Geare made four successful trips. He sailed the Michael & John in the West Indies. In 1595, he had a tough fight near Havana, Cuba. His ship met a Spanish galleon. Geare lost fifty of his crew members. He also lost a Spanish pinnace (a small ship) he had captured.

After escaping, Geare quickly made up for his losses. He captured another Spanish ship. Then, he returned to England.

New Ships and Expeditions

The next year, Geare commanded a ship called the Neptune. He sailed to the Caribbean. He was joined by John Rilesden and Christopher Newport. They sailed a small pinnace. Later that year, Geare and fifteen men took the pinnace. They captured several ships.

They then went to Jamaica. There, they joined a privateering trip to Honduras. This trip was led by Sir Anthony Shirley and Captain William Parker. They tried to raid Trujillo but failed. So, they went to Puerto Caballos instead. They successfully captured that city. However, they found little valuable treasure there. Geare decided to leave Shirley and Parker. Shirley and Parker continued their journey over the mountains of Guatemala. They headed towards the Pacific coast.

Later Voyages and Retirement

In May 1601, Geare was in the West Indies. He was with David Middleton on the pinnace James. Geare was commanding the Archangel. He captured three ships. He managed to bring back two of them. But he lost contact with the third ship. Its crew sailed to Morocco and sold it there.

The next year, Geare joined Captain Christopher Newton. They sailed together with three ships. They captured two Spanish warships and several other vessels.

Final Battle and Knighthood

On January 24, 1603, Geare and Christopher Newport worked together. They led eight ships during a landing near Santiago, Cuba. Their goal was to land armed privateers. However, the Spanish Governor, Fernando Melgarejo de Cordoba, stopped them. He used a single cannon and stampeded a herd of cattle towards them. Geare and his men were forced to leave.

Soon after, Geare and Christopher Newport attacked Puerto Caballos again. They heard that two Spanish galleons were unloading goods. In a brave move, the English and French captured them after a hard fight. They burned one ship and took the other as a prize. The treasure from this battle was huge. After this last adventure, Geare decided to retire. He moved to Stepney, a part of London. His home became well-known because he hung a small dagger outside.

Soon after returning to England, Queen Elizabeth I made him a knight. When he died, he left money for a good cause. He set aside five pounds each year. This money was to be shared among families of sailors lost at sea. It also helped poor sailors from his hometown of Limehouse.

See also

In Spanish: Michael Geare para niños