Edward
Collier
In 1668 Edward Collier was in command of one of the ships taking part in Sir
Henry Morgan's raid on Portobello. Around the end of the year Collier was given
command of the 34-gun Oxford, with orders to hunt down pirates. Collier captured
Captain la Veven as well as his ship, the Satisfaction.
Collier rejoined Morgan for a raid on Maracaibo and Gibraltar, Venezuela.
Disaster struck the Oxford when several drunken pirates accidently blew her up.
Collier now disillusioned took the Satisfaction and left. During the next 18
months, Collier cruised the Mexican shores.
In September 1670, Collier, again joined Morgan who was organizing his raid
on Panama. Collier was named vice-admiral of the expedition. While the pirates
were gathering their forces, Collier was instructed to tke 6 ships to Venezuela
in order to stock up on provisions and aquire information.
Collier's first stop was Rio de la Hacha. There he captured the fort and
garrison. Known to be more ruthless than the average pirate, Collier tortured
the Spanish prisoners severly to obtain their treasure to no avail and most of
the prisoners died without devulging their secret and the 200,000 pesos was not
found.
After extorting provisions from the populace, Collier rejoined Morgans fleet
in early December. By January 1671, with Collier in command of the left wing of
the assault. The victorious pirates took over the town. Collier killed one of
the Spanish chaplains, a Franciscan friar. The raid on Panama led to the arrest
of Morgan (who was released). Collier profited greatly which he used to maintain
his 1,000 acre plantation in Jamaica, which had been given to him in 1668. Until
his death, he spent his time preparing defenses against a possible foreign
invasion upon Jamaica. |