Benjamin Hornigold

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Captain Benjamin Hornigold (d. 1719?) was an English pirate during the early 18th century. His ship was the starting point for several better known pirates. Like many Caribbean pirates, Hornigold served previously on an English privateer during the War of Spanish Succession.

Hornigold was known for being less vicious than most. One of his victims told how his ship had been pursued by Hornigold's. Eventually they struck their colours and the pirates boarded. Hornigold, somewhat apologetically, simply asked the crewmen for their hats. He explained that the pirates had got drunk the night before and thrown their own hats overboard. Having got what he wanted, Hornigold left the vessel in peace.

Hornigold left New Providence Island in the Bahamas with Edward Teach (later known as Blackbeard) among his crew. When he captured a sloop, he placed her under Teach's command. In 1717 they plundered six ships off the American coast and raided in the Caribbean. By the year's end Hornigold and Teach had captured a French ship laden with gold, jewels, and other booty. After dividing the spoils, they parted company.

Blackbeard went to North America, and Hornigold sailed to New Providence. When Woodes Rogers was appointed royal governor of the Bahamas, Captain Hornigold requested and received a pardon. Rogers commissioned him to hunt down pirates. Hornigold pursued Stede Bonnet and Charles Vane, among others.

About 1719, Hornigold was sent to Mexico on a trading voyage. His ship struck an uncharted reef far from land, and the entire crew was presumed lost at sea.

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