The English Atlantic, 1675-1740
The English Atlantic, 1675-1740

Author: Ian K. Steele

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 1986-09-18

Total Pages: 415

ISBN-13: 0195364996

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Exploding the curious myth that the ocean is a barrier rather than a highway for communication, this unusual interdisciplinary study examines the English Atlantic context of early American life. From the winterless Caribbean to the ice-locked Hudson Bay, maritime communications in fact usually met the legitimate expectations for frequency, speed, and safety, while increased shipping, new postal services, and newspapers hastened the exchange of news. These changes in avenues of communications reflected--and, in turn, enhanced--the political, economic, and social integration of the English Atlantic between 1675 and 1740. As Steele deftly describes the influence of physical, technological, socioeconomic, and political aspects of seaborne communication on the community, he suggests an exciting new mode of analyzing Colonial history.

Pirates of New England
Pirates of New England

Author: Gail Selinger

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2017-09-01

Total Pages: 225

ISBN-13: 1493029304

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Tales of swashbuckling adventure, murder, treachery, and mayhem! One would be mistaken to think of pirates as roaming only the Caribbean. Pirates as famous as William Kidd and Henry Every have at various times plundered, pillaged, and murdered their way up and down the New England seaboard, striking fear among local merchants and incurring the wrath of colonial authorities. Piracy historian Gail Selinger brings these tales of mayhem and villainy to life while also exploring why New England became such a breeding ground for high seas crime and how the view of piracy changed over time, from winking toleration to brutal crackdown. Included in this volume are: Ned Low’s sadistic—at times cannibalistic—reign of terror on the high seas and his mysterious disappearance. John Quelch’s defiant and unapologetic proclamations before being hanged in front of Boston’s crowds. Henry Every’s daring attack on the Grand Mogul’s fleet, widely considered the largest maritime heist in history. Pirates of New England opens up new chapters in the history of piracy, ones that you’ll come back to again and again—Welcome aboard!

Pirates of Colonial Newport
Pirates of Colonial Newport

Author: Gloria Merchant

Publisher: Arcadia Publishing

Published: 2014-05-13

Total Pages: 168

ISBN-13: 1625847289

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The stories behind the legends are revealed in this history of Colonial-era piracy and the double lives of those who sailed under the black flag. The story of Newport, Rhode Island’s pirates began with war, ended with revolution, and inspired swashbuckling legends for generations to come. From 1690 to the American Revolution, many of Newport’s fathers, husbands, and sons sailed under the black flag. They sailed into foreign waters, t return home from plundering the high seas to attend church and even serve in public offices. The citizens of Newport initially welcomed pirates with their exotic goods and gold to spend. But the community changed its tune when Newport’s prosperous shipping fleet became a target of piracy in the early eighteenth century. The locals who had once offered safe haven were suddenly happy to cooperate with London’s hunt for pirates. In this authoritative history, author Gloria Merchant covers well-known pirates like Thomas Tew as well as surprising ones such as Thomas Pain. Merchant also explores pirate lore from Captain Kidd’s buried treasure to the largest mass hanging of pirates in the colonies at Gravelly Point.