Pirates Captain Stede Bonnet Last update 14th January 2002
Bonnet, Stede - British pirate d1718. (Later known as Capt Thomas and Edwards) Stede was a retired army major, leading a peacable and prosperous life on Barbados before deciding to turn to pirating. The reason why is not clear, but Capt Charles Johnson says those who knew him "believed that his humour of going a pyrating proceeded from a disorder in his mind which had been but too visible in him some time before his wicked undertaking; and which is said to have been occassioned by some discomforts he found in a married state. Be that as it may, the major was ill qualified for the business, as not understanding maritime affairs." He bought a ship and hired a crew to take to the sea. Being only mildly successful, he ran into Edward Teach at Carolina in 1718, who took over his ship. He acted as a layabout on Teach's ship while a new captain (Richards) took over his ship and crew. He eventually got his own ship back and his nature turned into a merciless and successful pirate. He was eventually captured, escaped, recaptured, and then hung in Carolina.
Ships Sailed (Flag)
Ships captured
Bonnet resided in Bridgetown, Barbados, leading what appeared a proper and peacable life as a retired major running a sugar plantation. For unclear reasons, most likely associated with domestic troubles, Bonnet looked to run away to sea as a pirate captain. No doubt there was much talk of piracy in Barbados and my guess is he looked to the pirate life as an escape from homelife.
He purchased a ship and hired a crew to go pirating, an idea which he must have found hard to get across to his prospective crew. He sailed away at night and headed to the coast of Virginia for his first pirating.
He took ships as listed above before falling in with Capt Teach, who took over his ship. His crew joined Teach gratefully, for Bonnet did not appear to be an inspirational pirate leader. Teach's offsider, Captain Richards took over the Revenge and crew, while Bonnet took up residence on Teach's Queen Anne's Revenge. Here he was heard to lament his decision to turn pirating, and he lost some respect for this. He claimed he wanted to go home, but he could not for he was too ashamed to look on the face of another Englishman. He wanted to be put ashore in a Spanish or Portugese port where he could hide, but failing that, he resigned himslef to staying with the pirates.
At Topsail inlet, Teach broke up his company, taking a king's pardon, which he urged Bonnet to do. Bonnet got his ship back and sailed off to claim the pardon. He hoped to sail to St Thomas, to claim a privateering commission against the Spanish, as war had recently been declared again. Returning to Topsail Inlet, he found Teach gone with the plunder, and rescued a number of men marooned by Teach. Hearing of Teach's location, he set off to seek revenge on him, but the two pirates were to never meet again.
Bonnet returning to plundering once his provisions run low, as per the list above. He changed his name to Capt Thomas, and his personality changed. He became a ruthless pirate and tortured his prisoners. During this period, he is said to be the only pirate to make a victim walk the plank.
Bonnet was found by pirate hunters who were looking for Charles Vane, who had lately been terrorising Charleston. These hunters were the Henry, under Capt John Masters - 8 guns and 70 crew, and the Sea Nymph under Capt Fayrer Hall - 8 guns and 60 crew. Both ships weer under the command of Colonel William Rhet.
In the morning light, the pirate set sail to run past the sloops, which also mobilised to fight back. All three grounded in the combat, the Henry with Rhet onboard being within gun shot of the pirates who had the better position. The Sea Nymph was out of range and of little use. The Henry and the pirate traded shots for 5 hours, goading each other. The Henry was first to float off and, heading to deep water, repaired rigging before moving in on the pirate. The pirates struck their colours and after a negotiation, surrendered.
The Henry suffered 10 dead and 14 wounded, the Sea Nymph - 2 dead and 4 wounded. The pirates lost 7 dead, 5 wounded, 2 of whom later died.
They were returned to Charleston, and Bonnet, Herriott and Pell were kept at the Marshal's house separate to the rest of the crew, who were in the watchhouse under a militia guard. Herriott and Pell were turning evidence in exchange for freedom. Herriott and Bonnett escaped, the governor immediately setting a reward of 700 pound for his recapture. Several ships set sail to track him down for fear he would raise a new crew and terrorise Carolina in revenge. However, the escapees ran short of supplies and returned near Charleston to resupply, where they were uncovered by Colonel Rhet. Herriott was shot dead, along with a a negro and an indian who were wounded. Bonnett surrendered, and was returned to safe keeping in Charleston.
They were tried by Vice Admiralty Court under judge Nicholas Trot esq - (vice admiralty judge and Cheif Justice of the province of South Carolina), at Charleston, South Carolina, 28th October 1718. The trial continued through to the 12th of November.
All but three pleaded not guilty, all claiming to be recently captured and not involved in piracy, including Bonnet. However, only four could prove their innocence by possessing no booty. Bonnet was tried last due to his escape attempt. The judge gave a long sermonising speech on Bonnet's behaviour, ending with "that you, the said Stede Bonnet, shall go from hence to the place from whence you came, and from thence to the place of execution, where you shall be hanged by the neck till you are dead. And the God of infinite mercy be merciful to your soul."
Languishing in prison prior to execution, Bonnet wrote a pitiful letter to the Governor begging for mercy, to no effect