The Pirates Own Book eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 477 pages of information about The Pirates Own Book.

The Pirates Own Book eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 477 pages of information about The Pirates Own Book.

Gibbs in his last visit to Boston remained there but a few days, when he took passage to New Orleans, and there entered as one of the crew on board the brig Vineyard; and for assisting in the murder of the unfortunate captain and mate of which, he was justly condemned, and the awful sentence of death passed upon him!  The particulars of the bloody transaction (agreeable to the testimony of Dawes and Brownrigg, the two principal witnesses,) are as follows:  The brig Vineyard, Capt.  William Thornby, sailed from New Orleans about the 9th of November, for Philadelphia, with a cargo of 112 bales of cotton, 113 hhds. sugar, 54 casks of molasses and 54,000 dollars in specie.  Besides the captain there were on board the brig, William Roberts, mate, six seamen shipped at New Orleans, and the cook.  Robert Dawes, one of the crew, states on examination, that when, about five days out, he was told that there was money on board, Charles Gibbs, E. Church and the steward then determined to take possession of the brig.  They asked James Talbot, another of the crew, to join them.  He said no, as he did not believe there was money in the vessel.  They concluded to kill the captain and mate, and if Talbot and John Brownrigg would not join them, to kill them also.  The next night they talked of doing it, and got their clubs ready.  Dawes dared not say a word, as they declared they would kill him if he did; as they did not agree about killing Talbot and Brownrigg, two shipmates, it was put off.  They next concluded to kill the captain and mate on the night of November 22, but did not get ready; but, on the night of the 23d, between twelve and one o’clock, as Dawes was at the helm, saw the steward come up with a light and a knife in his hand; he dropt the light and seizing the pump break, struck the captain with it over the head or back of the neck; the captain was sent forward by the blow, and halloed, oh! and murder! once; he was then seized by Gibbs and the cook, one by the head and the other by the heels, and thrown overboard.  Atwell and Church stood at the companion way, to strike down the mate when he should come up.  As he came up and enquired what was the matter they struck him over the head—­he ran back into the cabin, and Charles Gibbs followed him down; but as it was dark, he could not find him—­Gibbs came on deck for the light, with which he returned.  Dawes’ light being taken from him, he could not see to steer, and he in consequence left the helm, to see what was going on below.  Gibbs found the mate and seized him, while Atwell and Church came down and struck him with a pump break and a club; he was then dragged upon deck; they called for Dawes to come to them, and as he came up the mate seized his hand, and gave him a death gripe! three of them then hove him overboard, but which three Dawes does not know; the mate when cast overboard was not dead, but called after them twice while in the water!  Dawes says he was so frightened that he hardly knew what to do.  They then requested him to call Talbot, who was in the forecastle, saying his prayers; he came up and said it would be his turn next! but they gave him some grog, and told him not to be afraid, as they would not hurt him; if he was true to them, he should fare as well as they did.  One of those who had been engaged in the bloody deed got drunk, and another became crazy!

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The Pirates Own Book from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.