Pedro Gilbert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pedro Gilbert
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| Born | c. 1797 |
| Died | June 11, 1835 (aged 38) |
| Cause of death | Execution by hanging |
| Piratical career | |
| Nickname | Don Pedro Gibert |
| Type | Pirate |
| Years active | 1832-1834 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Base of operations | Caribbean |
Pedro Gilbert or Don Pedro Gibert (born around 1797 – died June 11, 1835) was a famous pirate from the early 1800s. He was one of the last pirates to attack ships along the Atlantic coast.
The Life of Pedro Gilbert
Pedro Gilbert started his career as a privateer. A privateer was like a government-approved pirate. They were allowed to attack enemy ships during wartime. Gilbert worked for the government of Colombia.
Pirate Attacks and the Panda
In 1832, Gilbert began attacking American merchant ships. He used his fast ship, a schooner named the Panda. These attacks happened off the coast of Florida.
One famous attack happened on September 21, 1832. Gilbert and his crew chased a ship called the Mexican. This American ship was sailing from Salem to Rio de Janeiro. It was carrying a large amount of silver. Gilbert's crew boarded the Mexican and took the silver.
Capture and Trial
Pedro Gilbert was eventually caught in West Africa. His ship, the Panda, was sunk in a battle. This battle was against a British warship called HMS Curlew.
After his capture, Gilbert was sent to the United States. He and 11 of his crew members faced a trial in Boston, Massachusetts. Seven of them, including Gilbert, were found guilty. They received a very serious sentence.
Five of the crew, including Pedro Gilbert, were executed on June 11, 1835. Another crew member was executed later that year. However, one person, Bernardo de Soto, was pardoned. He was the first mate and owner of the Panda. President Andrew Jackson pardoned him because he had helped save American passengers from a sunken ship years before.
Gilbert's Bar
Today, there is a sandbar off the coast of Stuart, Florida, called "Gilbert's Bar." Pirates like Pedro Gilbert often used this sandbar. They would use it to trick ships into getting stuck. This made it easier for the pirates to attack them.
