Salé Rovers facts for kids
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The Salé Rovers were a group of brave sailors and pirates from the city of Salé in North Africa. They were active mainly in the 1600s and 1700s. These sailors were part of a larger group known as the Barbary corsairs. They sailed the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
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What Were the Salé Rovers?
The Salé Rovers were known for their daring sea voyages. They would stop and capture merchant ships. These were ships carrying goods for trade. When they captured a ship, they would take the cargo. They would also take the people on board. Sometimes, they would ask for money to release the captured people. Other times, the people were made to work.
Where Did They Come From?
Many Salé Rovers operated from a place called the Republic of Salé. This was a small, independent state. It was located at the mouth of the Bou Regreg river. This republic existed from 1627 to 1668. It was a busy port for these sailors.
Who Were the Rovers?
Interestingly, many of the Salé Rovers were not originally from North Africa. A lot of them were from Europe. They came from places like England and the Netherlands. These sailors often changed their names and joined the Salé Rovers.
Famous Salé Rovers
One very well-known Salé Rover was a man named Jan Janszoon. He was originally from the Netherlands. In 1618, he was captured by Barbary corsairs. After this, he decided to join them. He changed his name to Murat Reis. He became a very famous and successful leader among the Rovers. He led many expeditions across the seas.
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