Nassau
New Providence, Bahamas
What happened
After the War of the Spanish Succession many sailors who had worked as privateers were left without work, and some turned to piracy. Nassau, on the island of New Providence in the Bahamas, became a pirate base. The pirates there followed an informal code: they ran their ships democratically, shared plunder equally and chose their captains by vote.
Why it matters
Pirates from Nassau caused havoc with trade and shipping across the West Indies. Nassau was called the Republic of Pirates, though it was never a formal republic.
What came next
In 1718 Woodes Rogers arrived as the new royal governor and offered the King's Pardon to pirates who gave up. Benjamin Hornigold accepted it, and British control of Nassau was restored by the end of the year.
Did you know?
Around 1715 the pirates of Nassau formed a loose group known as the Flying Gang.
Timeline
- 1706Nassau is attacked again by a Franco-Spanish fleet and left with little English government.
- c. 1715The pirates form the Flying Gang.
- September 1717King George I offers a pardon to pirates who surrender.
- 1718Woodes Rogers arrives as governor and restores British control.