Benjamin Hornigold

Benjamin Hornigold was a notorious English pirate active during the early 18th century, particularly between 1715 and 1718, which is…

By Staff , in Pirates , at September 22, 2024 Tags: pirates

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Benjamin Hornigold was a notorious English pirate active during the early 18th century, particularly between 1715 and 1718, which is considered the height of the Golden Age of Piracy. He is best known for founding the Republic of Pirates in the Bahamas and for his association with other infamous pirates, including Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. Hornigold’s career is notable for his relatively brief but impactful time as a pirate, his later role as a pirate hunter, and his contribution to the rise of some of the most infamous figures in piracy.

Early Life and Entry into Piracy
Very little is known about Benjamin Hornigold’s early life, including his birth year, which is generally believed to be around 1680. He is thought to have been born in England, but there is no definitive record of his origins before his emergence as a pirate. His early maritime career likely involved privateering, a legal form of piracy sanctioned by governments during times of war. Many privateers turned to piracy after the War of Spanish Succession ended in 1713, leaving many sailors without legitimate work or income.

By 1715, Hornigold had turned to full-fledged piracy and quickly became one of the leading figures in the Caribbean. His base of operations was New Providence, an island in the Bahamas, which had become a haven for pirates due to the collapse of British colonial authority in the region. This lack of governance allowed pirates like Hornigold to operate freely and establish what came to be known as the Republic of Pirates, a semi-organized community of pirates who controlled the Bahamas during this period.

Pirate Career and Notoriety
Hornigold initially gained a reputation as a formidable pirate captain, and he commanded several ships, including a powerful sloop armed with heavy cannons. He primarily targeted merchant ships along the American coastline, in the Caribbean, and near the Bahamas, often focusing on French and Spanish vessels. Hornigold’s piracy was unusual in that he reportedly avoided attacking English ships, a practice that some suggest was due to his continued loyalty to England, even while engaging in piracy.

The Rise of Blackbeard
One of Hornigold’s most famous protégés was Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. Hornigold is believed to have mentored Blackbeard and provided him with his first pirate command. Blackbeard served as a crew member under Hornigold before striking out on his own to become one of the most feared and legendary pirates of the time.

In addition to Blackbeard, Hornigold’s crew included other notable pirates who would go on to make names for themselves, including Stede Bonnet and Sam Bellamy. This made Hornigold one of the central figures in the network of pirates that dominated the Caribbean during the Golden Age of Piracy.

End of His Pirate Career
By 1717, Hornigold’s career as a pirate was beginning to wane. His reluctance to attack English ships caused friction with his crew, many of whom were more interested in plundering any vessel they encountered, regardless of its nationality. In 1718, his crew mutinied and removed him from command, frustrated by his refusal to attack British ships. Following his dismissal as a pirate captain, Hornigold retired from piracy.

During this same period, King George I issued a royal pardon for pirates who agreed to give up their criminal activities. Hornigold accepted the pardon and, instead of continuing a life of piracy, turned his skills to pirate hunting, serving the British Crown.

Hornigold as a Pirate Hunter
After accepting the pardon, Hornigold became a privateer once again, this time working for the British governor of the Bahamas, Woodes Rogers, who was sent to New Providence to restore order and drive out the pirates. Hornigold was instrumental in helping Rogers re-establish British control over the Bahamas, a region that had become lawless under pirate rule.

Hornigold used his knowledge of pirate tactics and the Caribbean’s geography to capture or eliminate his former comrades, including several well-known pirates. His role as a pirate hunter was crucial in the decline of the pirate republic in the Bahamas and the eventual end of the Golden Age of Piracy in the Caribbean.

Death
Hornigold’s final years were spent hunting pirates and working for the British government. His death occurred around 1719 or 1720, when he was reportedly shipwrecked off the coast of New Spain (modern-day Mexico) during a trading voyage. Accounts suggest that his ship was caught in a hurricane, leading to his death along with his crew.

Legacy
Although Benjamin Hornigold is not as famous as pirates like Blackbeard or Captain Kidd, he played a pivotal role in the history of piracy during its most notorious era. His mentorship of Blackbeard and other pirates had a significant influence on the development of piracy in the Caribbean, and his transition from pirate to pirate hunter highlights the shifting nature of loyalty and survival during the period.

Hornigold’s decision to accept the royal pardon and his subsequent career as a pirate hunter also illustrate the eventual decline of the pirate strongholds in the Caribbean. His actions contributed to the end of the pirate-controlled “Republic of Pirates” in the Bahamas, helping reassert British authority over the region.