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Benjamin Hornigold (c. 1680–1719)[1][verification needed] was an English pirate towards the end of the Golden Age of Piracy.

Key Information

Born in England in the late 17th century, Hornigold began his pirate career in 1713, attacking merchant ships in the Bahamas. He helped to establish the "Republic of Pirates" in Nassau and by 1717 was the captain of one of the most heavily armed ships in the region, called the Ranger. It was at this time he appointed Edward Teach, best known in history books as "Blackbeard", as his second-in-command. Mindful not to attack British-led ships during his career, his crew eventually grew tired of the tactic and Hornigold was voted out as captain.[citation needed] In December 1718, Hornigold accepted a King's Pardon for his crimes and became a pirate hunter, pursuing his former allies on behalf of the Governor of the Bahamas, Woodes Rogers. He was killed when his ship was wrecked on a reef near New Spain during the hurricane season of 1719.

Early career

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Hornigold's early life is unrecorded, although sometimes people claim he was born in the English county of Norfolk, where the surname Hornigold or Hornagold appears. If so, he might have first served at sea aboard ships whose home port was either King's Lynn or Great Yarmouth.[2] His first documented acts of piracy took place in the winter of 1713–1714, when he employed periaguas (sailing canoes) and the sloop Happy Return, alongside Daniel Stillwell, John Cockram, and John West[3] to menace merchant vessels off the coast of New Providence and its capital Nassau, where he had established a 'Privateers' or 'Pirates' republic.[4] Hornigold himself sailed a ship named the Marianne. After a mutiny in the summer of 1716, he and his supporters were left with a captured sloop.[citation needed] By 1717, Hornigold had at his command a thirty-gun sloop he named the Ranger, which was probably the most heavily armed ship in the region, and this allowed him to seize other vessels with impunity.[5]

Hornigold's second-in-command during this period was Edward Teach, who would later be better known as the pirate Blackbeard.[5] When Hornigold took command of the Ranger, he delegated the captaincy of his earlier sloop to Teach. In the spring of 1717 the two pirate captains seized three merchant ships in quick succession, a Spanish one carrying 120 barrels of flour bound for Havana, another a Bermudian sloop with a cargo of spirits and the third a Portuguese ship travelling from Madeira with a cargo of white wine.[6][7]

In March 1717, Hornigold attacked an armed merchant vessel sent to the Bahamas by the Governor of South Carolina to hunt for pirates. The merchantman escaped by running itself aground on Cat Cay, and its captain later reported that Hornigold's fleet had increased to five vessels, with a combined crew of around 350 pirates.[7] In April 1717 Hornigold is recorded as operating alongside Captain Napin (or Napping), looting several ships off Jamaica, Puerto Bello, and Cuba before being chased away by the warship HMS Winchelsea. Hornigold had earlier forced aboard a surgeon named John Howell but released him on Nassau; when French pirate Jean Bonadvis tried to force Howell aboard his ship later in April 1717, Hornigold accepted Howell back aboard to protect him.[8] After parting ways with Napin in June or July they sailed together sporadically until October 1717.[9]

Hornigold is recorded as having attacked a sloop off the coast of Honduras; one of the passengers of the captured vessel recounted, "they did us no further injury than the taking most of our hats from us, having got drunk the night before, as they told us, and toss'd theirs overboard".[10] In September 1717, Hornigold and Teach met Major Stede Bonnet and his ship Revenge. Bonnet, having been wounded in battle, ceded his command to Teach. In October, another sloop was added to the fleet.[citation needed]

Overthrow and pardon

[edit]

Despite his apparent maritime supremacy, Hornigold remained careful not to attack British-flagged ships, apparently to maintain the legal defence that he was a privateer operating against England's enemies in the War of the Spanish Succession.[11] This scrupulous approach was not to the liking of his lieutenants, and in the summer of 1716[citation needed] a vote was taken among the combined crews to attack any vessel they chose. Hornigold opposed the decision and was replaced as captain of Marianne by Samuel Bellamy, whose friend Paulsgrave Williams was elected quartermaster.[12] Hornigold and his supporters were left with a captured sloop which was commanded by Teach after Hornigold acquired the Ranger.[citation needed] He continued piracy operations from Nassau until December 1717, when word arrived of a general pardon for pirates offered by the King. Hornigold sailed to Jamaica with the Ranger and one of the other sloops in January 1718[13] and received a pardon from the governor there. He later became a pirate hunter for the new governor of the Bahamas, Woodes Rogers.[14]

The King's Pardon of 1717 and 1718

[edit]
Main article: 1717–1718 Acts of Grace

On 5 September 1717, King George I Issued the Proclamation of 1717 "For Suppressing Pirates in the West Indies". This document granted a pardon to all pirates who surrendered themselves to any colonial governor or governor under the domain of the British Empire safe passage and were guaranteed a "clean slate" of their record. However, word of this did not get out to the West Indies and so in December 1718 another proclamation, or more famously known as the King's Pardon of 1718, was issued for the same purpose. In both of these documents, not only were pirates granted a clean slate on their record, but they were also offered a large sum of money for the capturing of other pirates who were guilty of piracy, murder, and treason against His Majesty. More specifically, for every captain who was captured, the person responsible would receive £100, equivalent to £20,000 in 2023, and for every lieutenant and boatswain a reward of £40 (£7,900) was offered.[15] Each level of member on a pirate ship had a reward placed on their heads from this point on.[citation needed]

Pirate hunter and death

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Rogers commissioned Hornigold to hunt down any and all recusant pirates, including some ex-comrades such as his former lieutenant, Teach (Blackbeard). He stalked but could not apprehend Charles Vane, capturing Vane's associate Nicholas Woodall instead,[16] followed by John Auger, both of whom had accepted the same pardon as Hornigold, but later slid back into piracy. In December 1718 Governor Rogers wrote to the Board of Trade in London commending Hornigold's efforts to remedy his reputation as a pirate by hunting his former allies.[17]

At some point late 1719, Governor Rogers commissioned Captain Hornigold and a few other of Rogers' most trusted captains to help safeguard and facilitate the trade of valuable wares with the Spanish. During the voyage, Hornigold's ship was caught in a hurricane somewhere between New Providence and New Spain, and was wrecked on an uncharted reef. The incident is referred to in the contemporary account A General History of the Pyrates by Captain Charles Johnson, which states, "in one of which voyages ... Captain Hornigold, another of the famous pirates, was cast away upon rocks, a great way from land, and perished, but five of his men got into a canoe and were saved."[18][19] The specific location of the reef remains unknown.

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Hornigold's flag from Black Sails

See also

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  • Richard Noland, who had sailed with Hornigold early in his career, later accompanied Samuel Bellamy after Hornigold was voted out as Captain, and was eventually employed as Hornigold's agent and recruiter on Nassau.[25]

References

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Bibliography

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Benjamin Hornigold

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Benjamin Hornigold (c. 1680–1719) was an English pirate who operated in the during the final years of the , from around 1713 to 1718. Known for his leadership in establishing Nassau in as a pirate republic, he commanded vessels such as the Ranger and led raids on merchant ships while adhering to a code that spared British-flagged targets. Hornigold mentored notable figures like Edward Teach (), with whom he salvaged treasure from Spanish shipwrecks off in 1715–1716, and later transitioned from outlaw to after receiving a royal pardon. Little is documented about Hornigold's early life, though he was likely born in and gained seafaring experience as a during the (1701–1714). Following the war's end, economic hardships for sailors prompted his shift to piracy; by 1713, he was capturing small vessels in Bahamian waters, building a reputation for tactical raids and relatively humane treatment of captives. Under his command, pirates occupied and fortified Nassau, transforming it into a base for hundreds of outlaws by 1716, where he served as a leader enforcing communal rules among the "." In 1717, Hornigold commanded the 30-gun Ranger, which became his and enabled bolder operations. That year, he parted ways with Teach, who took command of his own ship, but their alliance had already amplified threats to Spanish and French shipping. A notable incident involved his seizing hats from a after losing theirs in a storm, highlighting the opportunistic nature of some raids. Facing mounting pressure from British authorities, Hornigold accepted a from Governor in Nassau in July 1718, and was commissioned as a to suppress . In this role, he captured at least 13 pirate vessels and leaders, including former associates, operating from until his death. Hornigold perished in late 1719 when his ship struck an unmarked reef during a hurricane off the coast of (then part of ), stranding survivors on a desert island.

Early Life

Origins and Background

Benjamin Hornigold was likely born around 1680 in . His exact birthplace is unknown, though some accounts suggest . Little is documented about his family or early years, which were shaped by the maritime culture of 's eastern seaboard amid the expansion of colonial trade with the and following the Restoration. Lacking evidence of formal education, he emerged from relative obscurity, typical of many who entered seafaring from humble beginnings in this era.

Entry into Maritime Trade

Little is known of Benjamin Hornigold's early career at sea, but he likely gained experience as a during the (1701–1714), known in the British context as . In this role, he would have been authorized under letters of marque to attack French and Spanish vessels, honing navigational and combat skills in support of Britain's imperial ambitions in the , though no specific engagements are recorded. The war's end in 1713 led to economic distress in the maritime community, with leaving many sailors unemployed amid reduced opportunities. This postwar situation created conditions for former privateers like Hornigold to turn to alternative livelihoods.

Piratical Career

Initial Piracy and Command of the Ranger

Benjamin Hornigold transitioned to in around 1713, following the end of the , when many privateers turned to illicit activities amid the lack of legal commissions. Initially operating from small open boats known as periaguas, he and a few associates commandeered minor vessels in the region, exploiting the sparse colonial oversight in the area. This early phase marked his shift from legitimate maritime pursuits, leveraging his navigational expertise gained in merchant trade to navigate the shallow Bahamian waters effectively. By 1717, Hornigold commanded the Ranger, armed with 30 guns, which proved ideal for quick raids and evasion in the . The vessel's speed and maneuverability allowed him to establish a dominant presence among early in the region, with Hornigold serving as and amassing a of like-minded individuals. Under his , the Ranger became a symbol of his emerging authority, enabling more ambitious operations from a secure base. Hornigold established his primary operational base in , capitalizing on the post-war power vacuum where British naval presence was minimal, transforming the harbor into a haven for pirates. This location provided shelter and resources, allowing him to organize his activities without immediate interference from authorities. Central to Hornigold's command was a strict that distinguished him from more ruthless contemporaries; after his initial raids, he generally refused to attack British ships, limiting his targets to French and Spanish merchantmen to align with lingering sentiments. He enforced humane treatment of captured crews, often releasing non-English prisoners unharmed after taking their vessels, which earned him a reputation for relative moderation in pirate circles. This approach not only minimized reprisals but also helped maintain cohesion among his followers during the early years of his piratical venture.

Raids and Captures in the West Indies

During 1716 and 1717, Benjamin Hornigold led a series of piratical raids in the , capturing approximately ten small merchant vessels, mainly Spanish and French, operating primarily in the waters of and off the coast of . These actions were reported in contemporary colonial correspondence, highlighting Hornigold's focus on non-British targets to justify his activities as privateering rather than outright . A notable raid took place in late 1715 when Hornigold captured the Mary of , owned by Augustine Golding, off the Spanish coast; the vessel was laden with , , and valued at around £2,000 and was brought to Providence Island as a prize. Hornigold's operations emphasized minimal , with crews of captured ships often released unharmed or integrated into his own if willing, reflecting his against attacking British vessels after early exceptions. On December 6, 1716, he achieved a significant success by seizing a 40-gun Spanish man-of-war near , demonstrating his tactical acumen despite limited armament. Hornigold employed the speed of his primary vessel, the sloop Ranger, to conduct ambushes close to key harbors such as Providence Island, allowing quick strikes on merchant traffic carrying valuable cargoes like , , and from colonial plantations. These tactics enabled efficient captures without prolonged engagements, contributing to the growth of his crew from initial small groups to about 50–70 men by mid-1717. Spoils were divided equitably among the crew, fostering loyalty to Hornigold's relatively non-aggressive approach, which prioritized plunder over bloodshed.

Mentorship of Edward Teach

In 1716, Benjamin Hornigold recruited Edward Teach, an experienced from who had served during the late , to serve as aboard his . Together, they salvaged treasure from Spanish shipwrecks off in 1715–1716, building Teach's experience in . Hornigold recognized Teach's maritime skills and seafaring knowledge, integrating him into the crew amid operations in . Teach's prior experience in privateering, where he targeted French and Spanish vessels under letters of marque, aligned with Hornigold's initial focus on non-British shipping, fostering a dynamic from the outset. During joint operations in 1717, Hornigold and Teach shared command of sloops, conducting raids on merchant vessels in the and along the North American coast. Teach, under Hornigold's guidance, honed pirate leadership techniques, including crew management and the use of intimidation to compel surrenders without prolonged combat. Their collaboration yielded several captures, such as French and Spanish ships, allowing Teach to observe and adopt strategies for efficient while maintaining a code that spared British-flagged vessels—a policy reflective of Hornigold's privateering roots. A pivotal moment came in November 1717 when their crews captured the French slave ship La Concorde off the coast of St. Vincent. With Hornigold's consent, Teach took command of the prize, refitting the 200-ton vessel with 40 guns and renaming her , marking his promotion to independent captaincy. This vessel became Teach's flagship, symbolizing his elevation from subordinate to leader under Hornigold's tutelage. By late 1717, tensions arose as Teach advocated for a more aggressive approach, including attacks on British ships to maximize gains, diverging from Hornigold's restrained policy. This ideological split led to their separation, with Teach assuming independent command of Queen Anne's Revenge and her consort sloop while Hornigold retained the Ranger. The parting underscored Teach's evolution into a bolder pirate, setting the stage for his notorious career.

Pardon and Overthrow

Acceptance of the 1717 Pardon

In September 1717, King George I issued a royal proclamation known as the Acts of Grace, offering a general to pirates who surrendered themselves and their ships to British colonial authorities by January 5, 1718, for all piratical acts committed prior to that date. This amnesty was part of a broader British strategy from 1717 to 1718 aimed at suppressing piracy in the and reclaiming Nassau in from its notorious status as a pirate stronghold. Benjamin Hornigold, having achieved considerable success in raiding Spanish shipping and capturing vessels like the Ranger, accepted in early 1718. Sources vary on the exact location, with some indicating he sailed to in January to surrender the Ranger and his crew to authorities there, while others note his surrender in Nassau aboard HMS Phoenix in February. Regardless, this marked the end of his piratical activities and his integration into colonial legitimacy. Following his pardon, Hornigold's transition was solidified when Woodes Rogers arrived in Nassau as the new royal governor on July 26, 1718, bringing reinforcements and proclaiming an extension of the amnesty until September 5, 1718. Already pardoned, Hornigold aligned with Rogers and received a commission as a privateer, authorized to target Spanish vessels in a legal capacity, which marked his pivotal shift from pirate captain to operative under British colonial authority.

Mutiny and Brief Return to Piracy

No mutiny occurred in late 1717 related to Hornigold's acceptance of , nor did he briefly return to piracy in early 1718. Earlier, in , Hornigold had faced a crew over his code against attacking British ships, but by 1717 he had rebuilt his command with the Ranger. His decision to accept proceeded without further internal overthrow, allowing a smooth transition to his role as a pirate hunter under Rogers.

Pirate Hunter Role

Appointment under Woodes Rogers

In 1718, following his acceptance of the royal pardon, Benjamin Hornigold received an official commission from , the newly appointed Royal Governor of , to serve as a captain tasked with suppressing in the region. This role positioned Hornigold as a key enforcer under Rogers' administration, leveraging his prior experience to transition from pirate leader to defender of British colonial interests. Rogers equipped Hornigold with a fitted specifically for anti-piracy operations, along with a crew composed primarily of reformed pirates who had accepted the King's . The vessel, likely armed with several guns suitable for rapid engagements, enabled Hornigold to conduct patrols effectively in the shallow waters frequented by pirate vessels. His primary objectives were to intercept and capture those pirates who refused the 1717 pardon proclamation, enforce compliance among pardon recipients, and protect merchant shipping routes from attacks in the . Hornigold's relationship with Rogers was one of mutual trust, with the relying on the pirate's insider of tactics, hideouts, and alliances to dismantle remaining pirate networks. Rogers publicly endorsed Hornigold's in correspondence to colonial authorities, highlighting his value in restoring order to without the need for additional royal naval support. This appointment marked a pivotal shift, allowing Hornigold to apply his maritime expertise toward legitimate service while contributing to the broader campaign against the "Republic of Pirates."

Key Operations and Captures

Following his commission from Governor , Benjamin Hornigold conducted patrols in and surrounding waters throughout 1718, targeting pirate holdouts who rejected the royal . In one notable operation, Hornigold pursued the defiant pirate , whose crew had fired on Rogers' flagship upon the governor's arrival in Nassau, but Vane successfully evaded capture despite Hornigold's determined efforts. Instead, Hornigold intercepted and captured Vane's associate, the smuggler and pirate Nicholas Woodall, who had also violated terms by resuming depredations. Hornigold's operations extended to other captures, including the pirate John Auger (also known as ), whom he seized in November 1718 and delivered to Bahamian authorities for trial. Working in tandem with another pardoned pirate captain, John Cockram, Hornigold participated in joint pursuits that resulted in the apprehension of approximately 13 pirates by late 1718, significantly reducing the number of active threats in the region. Despite these successes, Hornigold faced substantial challenges, including limited manpower and vessels compared to more aggressive pirate crews like Vane's, which employed to exploit the ' complex shoals and cays. His , often underarmed for prolonged engagements, relied on surprise and persuasion to secure many of his captures, underscoring the precarious nature of suppressing with reformed operatives.

Death and Legacy

Shipwreck off Honduras

In late , Benjamin Hornigold, serving as a pirate hunter under Bahamian Governor , was commissioned to cruise the coast of (then part of ) aboard his in search of pirates. The Bay of Honduras was a region of colonial disputes, with British interests in logwood extraction clashing with Spanish claims. Hornigold's mission aligned with efforts to protect British settlers and suppress activity amid ongoing Anglo-Spanish tensions in the . During the hurricane season, Hornigold's vessel struck an unmarked reef off the coast of and wrecked. He perished in the disaster, along with most of his crew of about 20; accounts vary on details, but survivors were reportedly stranded on a nearby desert island. His body was never recovered. This event marked the end of Hornigold's transitioned role from pirate to enforcer of British interests. Historical records of the incident are fragmentary, drawn from ' dispatches and contemporary logs, underscoring the hazards of privateering in contested waters.

Historical Impact and Depictions

Benjamin Hornigold stands as a pivotal figure in the transition from the height of the to its suppression, serving initially as a key leader in establishing the pirate republic at Nassau in before accepting a royal pardon and becoming a pirate hunter under Governor , thereby aiding British efforts to reclaim control of the and contributing to the decline of organized piracy in the region. Historical records of Hornigold's life are fragmentary, primarily drawn from ' official dispatches to British authorities and Spanish naval logs documenting encounters with , leading to ongoing debates over details such as his exact birthdate—estimated around 1680 in —and the total number of vessels he captured, with scholarly estimates ranging from 10 to 15 during his active piratical phase. In , Hornigold first appeared in the influential 1724 anonymous work A General History of the Pyrates by , which portrays him as a prominent pirate captain and mentor to Edward Teach (), emphasizing his role in early raids. He features as a non-player ally character in the 2013 video game IV: Black Flag, where he guides the protagonist in naval combat and piracy tactics before revealing Templar affiliations. In television, minor roles in series like Black Sails (2014–2017) and the 2006 miniseries Blackbeard highlight his of Blackbeard and internal pirate conflicts, often underscoring his eventual shift to . Hornigold's legacy endures as a symbol of redemption within lore, illustrating the precarious path from to imperial agent that facilitated the end of Nassau's , though no known descendants or dedicated monuments commemorate his life.

References

  1. https://www.worldhistory.org/Benjamin_Hornigold/
  2. https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/benjamin-hornigold-0015173
  3. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/maritime-history/who-was-blackbeard
  4. https://shipwrecks.hist.sites.carleton.edu/queen-annes-revenge/queen-annes-revenge-p-1/
  5. https://www.thewayofthepirates.com/famous-pirates/benjamin-hornigold/
  6. https://www.cindyvallar.com/hornigold.html
  7. https://goldenageofpiracy.org/pirates/flying-gang/benjamin-hornigold
  8. https://www.amherst.edu/users/U/dullian08/node/20554
  9. https://historyfacts.com/world-history/fact/a-pirate-once-attacked-a-ship-and-stole-hats-instead-of-treasure/
  10. https://affiliate.wcu.edu/tuckasegeevalleyhistoricalreview/spring-2020/pirates-and-plantations-exploring-the-relationship-between-caribbean-piracy-and-the-plantation-economy-during-the-early-modern-period/
  11. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1043&context=pat_pnw
  12. http://www.cindyvallar.com/hornigold.html
  13. https://archive.org/stream/calendarofstatep1716grea/calendarofstatep1716grea_djvu.txt
  14. https://csphistorical.com/2015/07/26/the-strongest-man-carries-the-day-life-in-new-providence-1716-1717/
  15. https://piratesurgeon.com/pages/surgeon_pages/prov_bahamas3.html
  16. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/A_General_History_of_the_Pyrates/Chapter_3
  17. https://www.qaronline.org/history/blackbeard-history-dreaded-pirate
  18. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/5573/page/1/data.pdf
  19. https://uca.edu/cahss/files/2020/07/Whitmore-CLA-2019.pdf
  20. https://do-server1.sfs.uwm.edu/niche/47EC219423/book/55EC943/the_republic-of__pirates_being-the_true_and_surprising-story-of__the-caribbean__pirates_and-the-man__who-brought_them__down.pdf
  21. https://www.historyextra.com/period/stuart/nassau-pirate-republic-flying-gang-real-pirates-caribbean/
  22. https://waynesavage.com/benjamin-hornigold/
  23. https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/bitstreams/a799cd2a-f626-4199-8574-376542efe99e/download
  24. https://www.nps.gov/people/blackbeard.htm
  25. https://www.qaronline.org/blog/2018-03-08/did-you-know-blackbeards-mentor-was-pirate-hunter
  26. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA522959.pdf
  27. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/17001
  28. https://www.ign.com/wikis/assassins-creed-4-black-flag/Benjamin_Hornigold
  29. https://www.denofgeek.com/culture/black-sails-pirates-who-was-benjamin-hornigold/
  30. https://sevenswords.uk/benjamin-hornigold-pirate/
  31. https://www.academia.edu/772352/Jacobitism_and_the_Golden_Age_of_Piracy_1715_1725
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