The History and Lives of Notorious Pirates and Their Crews by Captain Charles Johnson

Author:Captain Charles Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
Published: 2013-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

CAPTAIN JOHN PHILLIPS, AND HIS CREW

CAPTAIN JOHN PHILLIPS, AND HIS CREW

JOHN PHILLIPS was bred a carpenter, but sailing in a West Country ship to Newfoundland, was taken by Anstis, who soon persuaded him to join with him, making him Carpenter of the vessel, in which station he continued till they broke up at Tobago, when he came Home in a Sloop that was sunk in Bristol Channel. But he did not stay long in England; for hearing of some of his companions being taken in Bristol Gaol, he moved off to Topsham, and there shipped himself with one Captain Wadham for Newfoundland, where when the ship came he ran away, and hired himself a splitter in the Fishery for the season: but he soon combined with others in the Fishery, to go off with one of the vessels that lay in the Harbour, and turn Pirate, and accordingly fixed upon the 29th of August, 1713, at night; but of 16 men that promised five only were as good as their Word. Notwithstanding, Phillips was for pushing on, assuring them that they should soon increase their company. Hereupon they seized a vessel, and went out to sea, when they soon began to settle their Officers to prevent dispute, appointing, John Phillips, Captain; John Nutt, Navigator of the vessel; James Sparks, Gunner; Thomas Fern, Carpenter; and William White was only a private man among them.

Before they left the Banks, they took several small fishing vessels, out of which they took some more Hands, and then sailed to the West-Indies: Among those that were taken, was one John Rose Archer who having been a pirate under Blackbeard was made Quarter-Master to the company: They came off Barbadoes in October, and cruised about the Islands about three months, without meeting with a vessel, so that they were almost starved for want of provisions, when at length they fell in with a Martinico Man of 12 guns and 35 hands, upon which they hoisted the Black Flag and ran up along side of the Sloop, with piratical Colours flying, swearing, If they did not strike immediately, they must expect no quarters; which so frightened the Frenchman, that he never fired a gun. Having got this supply, they took her provisions, and four of her men.

Having occasion to clean their vessel, Phillips proposed Tobago; and just as they had done, a Man-of-War’s boat came into the Harbour, the ship cruising to the Leeward of the Island; which was no sooner gone, but they warped out, and plied to the Windward for safety.

In a few days they took a Snow with a few Hands in it, on board of which they sent Fern the Carpenter, William Smith, Philips Wood, and Taylor; but Fern being dissatisfied at Archer’s being preferred before him to be Quarter-Master, persuaded the rest to go off with the prize; but Phillips gave them chase, and coming up with them, shot Wood, and wounded Taylor in the leg; upon which the other two surrendered.

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