Dirk
Chivers
Dirk Chivers was Dutch. Chivers signed aboard the Portsmouth Adventure early
1694, under Captain Joseph Farrell. The ship was leaving Rhode Island for the
Red Sea. Once there, Farrell helped Henry Every capture two ships rich in booty
around June, 1695. While returning to Rhode Island, the ship was wrecked on
Mayotte in the Comoro Islands. Farrell was rescued by Every and continued on
with him, but Chivers stayed behind on Mayotte. Toward the end of 1695, Chivers
signed aboard the 28 gun ship Resolution. Several months later Chivers was made
captain and he renamed her the Soldado. Chivers was very successful, plundering
several ships rich with booty.
Chivers sailed in consort with John Hoar taking two East India Company ships.
The two captured ships were ransomed. When the governor of Aden refused to pay
the ransom, the ships were burned. One of the captives from the seized vessels
was Captain Sawbridge. Sawbridge's constant complaining provoked Chiver's crew
into sewing up the man's lips with a sail needle.
In November, 1696, Chivers sailed into the harbour at Calcutta. He seized 4
ships with their crews and demanded £ 10,000 random for their return. Chivers
sent the following message to governor stating: "We acknowledge no country,
having sold our own, and as we are sure to be hanged if taken, we shall have no
scruple in murdering and destroying if our demands are not granted in full."
Not swayed by Chivers threat, the governor sent 10 Indian ships. When they
sailed into the harbor, Chivers fled, heading for Saint Mary's Island to make
repairs and arrived in the summer of 1697.
Chivers captured the Sedgwick, an English ship, in April 1698. The captain of
the Sedgwick was very persuasive and Chivers' crew let him keep his ship after
he supplied them with rum.
That September, Chivers joined forces Robert Culliford. Together they
captured the Great Mohammed and £ 130,000. Chivers took command of the new ship
and renamed her the New Soldado. Chivers returned to Saint Mary's Island. When
four British battleships arrived at Saint Mary's in September 1699, Chivers sunk
the New Soldado in the harbor to block the passage. Chivers was offered a royal
pardon which he accepted and returned home on the merchantman Vine. |