Of Captain John Rackam, and His Crew explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Corruption of Colonial Governance

  The chapter shows colonial governors actively pursuing and prosecuting pirates, contrasting with earlier tolerance, and highlights the legal system's harshness, including the conviction of men who boarded the pirate sloop without clear piratical acts.

• Pirate Democracy Versus Maritime Tyranny

  Rackam's election as captain after Vane's deposition illustrates the democratic process among pirates, while his eventual capture and execution by colonial authorities underscores the conflict between pirate autonomy and state control.

• Gender Disguise and Female Agency

  The mention of two female pirates pleading pregnancy to avoid execution highlights the role of gender in pirate trials and the agency of women like Anne Bonny and Mary Read, even though they are not named in this chapter.

Characters to notice

• John Rackam

  Former quartermaster to Vane, becomes captain after Vane is deposed. Leads a series of cruises and captures before being captured and executed.

• Charles Vane

  Mentioned as the captain from whom Rackam split after Vane was deposed for refusing to fight a French man-of-war.

• Woodes Rogers

  Governor of Providence who offered the King's pardon and later sent a sloop to retake Rackam's prizes.

• Barnet

  Captain of the sloop sent by the Governor of Jamaica to pursue Rackam; successfully captures Rackam and his crew.

• Anne Bonny

  Implied as one of the two female pirates who pleaded pregnancy to avoid execution, though not explicitly named in this chapter.

• Mary Read

  Implied as the other female pirate who pleaded pregnancy to avoid execution, though not explicitly named in this chapter.

Key passages

• “This John Rackam, as has been mentioned in the last chapter, was quartermaster to Vane’s company, till they were divided, and Vane turned out for refusing to board and fight the French man-of-war; then Rackam was voted captain of that division that remained in the brigantine.”

  John Rackam, previously Vane's quartermaster, became captain of the brigantine after Vane was deposed for cowardice.

  Explains Rackam's rise to command.

• “The 24th of November 1718, was the first day of his command, and his first cruise was among the Caribbean Islands, where he took and plunder’d several vessels.”

  Rackam began his captaincy on November 24, 1718, immediately starting a cruise in the Caribbean and capturing multiple ships.

  Marks the start of Rackam's pirate career.

• “Rackam and his crew had no occasion to be displeased at the exchange, that enabled them to continue some time longer in a way of life that suited their depraved tempers.”

  Rackam and his crew were pleased with the swap, as it allowed them to continue their piratical lifestyle.

  Describes the pirates' satisfaction after a clever escape.

• “Captain Barnet gave them chase, and having the advantage of little breezes of wind, which blew off the land, came up with her, and, after a very small dispute, took her, and brought her into Port Royal, in Jamaica.”

  Captain Barnet pursued Rackam, caught up due to favorable winds, and captured his sloop after a brief fight, bringing it to Port Royal.

  Details Rackam's capture.

• “In about a fortnight after the prisoners were brought ashore, viz. November 16, 1720, a court of admiralty was held at St. Jago de la Vega, before which the following persons were convicted, and sentence of death passed upon them, by the president, Sir Nicholas Laws, viz. John Rackam Captain, George Fetherston Master, Richard Corner Quartermaster, John Davis, John Howell, Patrick Carty, Thomas Earl, James Dobbin and Noah Harwood.”

  On November 16, 1720, a court convicted Rackam and eight others, sentencing them to death.

  Lists those convicted and executed.

• “Two other pirates were try’d that belonged to Rackam’s crew, and being convicted, were brought up, and asked if either of them had anything to say why sentence of death should not pass upon them, in like manner as had been done to all the rest; and both of them pleaded their bellies, being quick with child, and pray’d that execution might be stay’d, whereupon the Court passed sentence, as in cases of piracy, but ordered them back, till a proper jury should be appointed to enquire into the matter.”

  Two female pirates from Rackam's crew, convicted and sentenced to death, pleaded pregnancy to delay execution, and the court postponed their sentencing pending a jury inquiry.

  Highlights the unique case of the pregnant female pirates.