The Atrocities of the Pirates

A Faithful Narrative of the Unparalleled Suffering of the Author During His Captivity Among the Pirates

Aaron Smith

• Publisher: Skyhorse
• Year: 2011
• ISBN:
  9781626367449
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Military & Maritime History
• Index: History

Originally published in 1824, this firsthand account describes how, in June 1822, young English seaman Aaron Smith was taken captive by Cuban pirates when his ship was boarded en route from Jamaica to England. A skilled navigator, fluent in Spanish, and regarded as what was then acceptable as a ship's surgeon, he was an attractive candidate for conscription. Forced to work as a navigator and participate in pirate boarding parties for ten months, he suffered mightily and witnessed unspeakable acts of murder and torture. He struggled between resisting the orders of the cruel pirate captain and acting against his conscience to preserve his own life from the wrath of the pirates. After failed attempts to get away, he managed to narrowly escape with his life, but was arrested as a pirate upon arrival in Havana. Smith was jailed in Cuba and then sent back to England in chains, where he found himself on trial for his life at the Old Bailey courthouse. The attorney general himself led the prosecution, with the captains of the ships boarded by Smith and the pirates as the principal witnesses.

ORIGINAL PREFACE

The following narrative is so ample and circumstantial in its details, and the unparalleled barbarities witnessed and endured by Mr. Smith during his captivity by the Pirates of Cuba are so clearly narrated, that it may appear scarcely necessary to detain the Reader by prefixing anything by way of Preface. But the Author of the subsequent pages, who is now again employed in the duties of his profession, having, before he quitted England, committed his ‘plain unvarnished tale’ to the care of a friend, that friend conceives he cannot perform a more acceptable service to a brave and meritorious, though unfortunate, man, than by submitting the same to the notice of a humane and generous public; while, it is humbly conceived, no portion of that public will read the narrative without feeling emotions of a two-fold and opposite kind—pity for a man who underwent such unmerited sufferings, and indignation at the base conduct of those who, with the means in their power, neglected to vindicate his injured honor, and to wipe off the stigma of his being a willing accessory to the unparalleled atrocities herein detailed.

Aaron Smith was, on the 19th of December 1823, tried, on a charge of Piracy, before the High Court of Admiralty; and such was the zeal of his prosecutors to make an example of a British seaman who had become, however involuntarily, the associate of a gang of Pirates, that, notwithstanding all the perils and hardships he had undergone, he narrowly escaped an ignominious death–and that, too, by the laws of his own country, in whose service his previous life had been passed with credit and honor!¹

The crime for which Aaron Smith was tried is undoubtedly one of the deepest turpitude, and one at which his honest mind revolted; but those who peruse the following pages, will see that he was so completely in the power of that demoniacal crew of Pirates, so involved in the meshes of their inextricable net, that neither bravery nor artifice, neither skill nor enterprise, could effect his deliverance. While groaning under the weight of his own sufferings, and looking forwards only to the means of escape, he was compelled to assume an air of satisfaction, and to join in the desperate acts of those freebooters. To elude their vigilance, and to avoid the terrible effects of their vengeance, it was imperative for him to act precisely in the way he did act; any other line of conduct would, in fact, have subjected him to a horrible death, preceded perhaps by tortures at which the stoutest heart would have trembled.

IN THE MONTH OF June 1821, I embarked on board the merchant ship Harrington, and proceeded on a voyage to the West Indies. Subsequent events, however, induced me to resign my situation in that vessel and devote myself to other pursuits. After having passed nearly two years in that part of the world, and finding my health somewhat impaired by the climate, I became anxious to see my family once more, and made the necessary arrangements for my return to England. Being then at Kingston, in the island of Jamaica, I communicated my wishes to a Captain Talbot, an intimate friend, who very kindly undertook to forward my views, and introduced and recommended me to Mr. Lumsden, the master of the merchant brig Zephyr, whose vessel was at that time waiting for freight to London. In consequence of this introductory recommendation, I entered into an agreement with that person to accompany him as his first mate; and about the middle of April, 1822, I commenced the duties of my office. The season that year had been very unfavourable to the planters; the crops had in many instances failed, and freights were in consequence very scarce. The lading of the Zephyr therefore proceeded very slowly, and I became daily more anxious for my return.

In the meantime I embarked in a trifling speculation, and purchased and shipped a quantity of coffee on board the brig on my own account; from time to time consulting and advising with Mr. Lumsden as to the best methods of completing our lading. Some time, however, still elapsed before we could attain our object; and during this interval I discovered so many unamiable traits in the character of that person as to cause very unfavourable impressions on my mind towards him. His ignorance and want of education betrayed themselves on almost every occasion; nor was I surprised at the discovery when I was afterwards informed that he had been originally bred to the coal trade, and had been nearly all his life employed in that capacity.

Towards the latter end of June, we had completed our cargo; having taken on board our passengers, who consisted of a Captain Cowper, five or six children, and a black woman as a servant, we sailed on the 29th, and proceeded down to Port Royal, where we anchored for the night. Mr. Lumsden, with some friends belonging to the children, and a lady of color, at whose house he had lodged during his stay on the island, followed the vessel in a boat, and came on board at Port Royal. The boat was then sent for another passenger; and, on his arrival, the person who had accompanied Mr. Lumsden returned on shore.

On the following morning we weighed anchor and left the port, and, having discharged the pilot, proceeded on our voyage, with a moderate breeze and fine weather; but very soon afterwards encountered strong north-easterly winds, accompanied by a heavy swell from the eastward. Mr. Lumsden now seemed anxious to consult me as to future proceedings, and asked me whether I should deem it advisable for him to ply for the windward, or to bear up for the leeward passage. The opinion which I had formed of his character rendered me unwilling to hazard my advice, as I did not wish to have any responsibility thrown on me hereafter, from what might be the result of his own ignorance and want of skill. As, however, I could not, consistently with my duty, altogether refuse my opinion, I confined my answer merely to pointing out the advantages and disadvantages of each, without evincing any prepossession in favor of either. The windward passage, I informed him, might prolong the voyage, but the leeward would expose us to the risk of being plundered by pirates, and, perhaps, the total destruction of the vessel, of which the accounts in the daily journals gave too melancholy warnings; and therefore I should recommend him to be guided by his own judgment and experience. Without considering much upon the subject, he decided upon the latter, notwithstanding the perils to which such a measure might expose him.

In consequence of this determination, we steered for the Great Caamans, which islands the heavy sailing of the Zephyr and the unusual lightness of the winds prevented us from reaching until the fourth day. The inhabitants came off to us in canoes, and we purchased a few parrots, some turtles, and a quantity of shells. From thence we steered for Cape Saint Antonio, the south-west point of the island of Cuba; and on our passage spoke to a schooner belonging to St. John’s, New Brunswick, on her return from Kingston. This vessel had made an unsuccessful attempt to ply for the windward passage, and had abandoned it on the fifth or sixth day. We parted company in the night, and on the following morning made Cape Saint Antonio: the wind was still light and the weather fine. Having got round the Cape, we stood to eastward, and the breezes freshened and became more favourable. At daylight on the following morning, we discovered two sail a-head, standing the same course, and, in the forenoon, the day being remarkably clear and fine, took a very good observation of the sun’s altitude.

At two o’clock, P.M., while walking the deck in conversation with Captain Cowper, I discovered a schooner standing out towards us from the land; she bore a very suspicious appearance, and I immediately went up aloft with my telescope to examine her more closely. I was instantly convinced that she was a pirate, and mentioned it to Cowper, who coincided with me, and we deemed it proper to call Mr. Lumsden from below and inform him. When he came on deck we pointed out the schooner and stated our suspicions, recommending him to alter his course and avoid her. We were at this moment about six leagues from Cape Roman, which bore S.E. by E. Never did ignorance, with its concomitant obstinacy, betray itself more strongly than on this occasion; he rejected our advice and refused to alter his course, and was infatuated enough to suppose that because he bore the English flag, no one would dare to molest him. To this obstinacy and infatuation I must attribute all my subsequent misfortunes—the unparalleled cruelties which I have suffered—the persecutions and prosecutions which I have undergone—the mean and wanton insults which have been heaped upon me—and the villany and dishonesty to which I have been exposed from the author of them all; who, not satisfied with having occasioned my sufferings, would have basely taken advantage of them to defraud my friends of what little of my property had escaped the general plunder.

In about half an hour after this conversation, we began to discover that the deck of the schooner was full of men, and that she was beginning to hoist out her boats. This circumstance greatly alarmed Mr. Lumsden, and he ordered the course to be altered two points, but it was then too late, for the stranger was within gun-shot. In a short time she was within hail, and, in English, ordered us to lower our stern boat and send the captain on board of her. Mr. Lumsden either did not understand the order, or pretended not to do so, and the corsair, for such she now proved to be, fired a volley of musketry. This increased his terror, which he expressed in hurried exclamations of Aye, aye! Oh, Lord God! and then gave orders to lay the main yard aback. A boat from the pirate now boarded the Zephyr, containing nine or ten men, of a most ferocious aspect, armed with muskets, knives, and cutlasses who immediately took charge of the brig, and ordered Captain Cowper, Mr. Lumsden, the ship’s carpenter, and myself, to go on board the pirate, hastening our departure by repeated blows with the flat part of their cutlasses over our backs, and threatening to shoot us. The rapidity of our movements did not give us much time for consideration; and, while we were rowing towards the corsair, Mr. Lumsden remarked that he had been very careless in leaving the books, which contained the account of all the money on board, on the cabin table. The captain of the pirate ordered us on deck immediately on our arrival. He was a man of most uncouth and savage appearance, about five feet six inches in height, stout in proportion, with aquiline nose, high cheek bones, a large mouth, and very large full eyes. His complexion was sallow, and his hair black, and he appeared to be about two and thirty years of age. In his appearance he very much resembled an Indian, and I was afterwards informed that his father was a Spaniard and his mother a Yucatan Squaw. He first addressed Mr. Lumsden, and inquired in broken English what the vessels were that he saw a-head. On being informed that they were French merchantmen, he gave orders for all hands to go in chase. The Zephyr was observed in the meantime to make sail and stand in the direction of Cape Roman.

The captain now addressed himself to Mr. Lumsden on the subject of his cargo, which he was informed consisted of sugars, rum, coffee, arrow root, dye woods, and co. He then severally inquired who and what we were; and then whether we had spoken any vessel on our passage. On being informed of the schooner from New Brunswick, he asked if we thought she had specie on board. We told him that those vessels in general sold their cargoes for cash, and he seemed very anxious to learn whether she was a-head or a-stern of us, and whether she was armed. Mr. Lumsden now entreated the captain to make a signal to the Zephyr not to stand nearer to the land, as he was apprehensive of her going on shore, and was told that he need not be under any alarm, as there was a very experienced pilot on board of her. He was, however, dissatisfied with this reply, and repeated his entreaty, when the other, in a menacing tone, enjoined silence, and went forward. In a short time he returned and questioned Mr. Lumsden as to what money he had on board, and when told that there was none, he replied, ‘Do not imagine that I am fool, Sir; I know that all vessels going to Europe have specie on board; and if you will give up what you have, you shall proceed on your voyage without further molestation.’ Mr. Lumsden repeated his answer, and the pirate declared that if the money was not produced, he would detain the Zephyr, throw her cargo overboard, and, if any was found concealed, he would burn her with every soul belonging to her. He then asked whether there were any candles, wine, or porter, on board; and Mr. Lumsden foolishly replied, not any that he could spare, without appearing to consider that we were in his power, and that he could if he pleased possess himself of any thing he might wish without consulting his convenience.

The night was at this time fast approaching, and the breeze had begun to die away. The captain appeared to despair of coming up with his chase, which we could now clearly perceive to be a ship, and a brig, and asked Captain Cowper and myself whether he should be able to overtake them before dark. We replied in the negative, and he then gave orders to shorten sail and stand towards the Zephyr. The pirates then began to prepare for supper, and were very liberal in serving out spirits to our boat’s crew, and also offered us a share, or wine if we preferred it, but we declined both.

The captain now turned to me and said that, as he was in a bad state of health and none of his ship’s company understood navigation, he should detain me for the purpose of navigating the schooner. I tried as much as possible to conceal my emotions at this intimation, and endeavoured to work upon his feelings by telling him that I was married and had three children—that they, together with my wife and aged parents, were anxiously expecting me at home; and represented, in as pathetic language as I could, the misery and distraction which it would cause them, beseeching him to spare my wife and children, and not bring down the grey hairs of my unfortunate parents with sorrow to the grave. But I appealed to a monster, devoid of all feeling, inured to crime, and hardened in iniquity. Mr. Lumsden in the meantime interfered, and hoped that he would not deprive him of my services: but he savagely told him, ‘If I do not keep him, I shall keep you.’ This threat evidently alarmed and agitated him, and he seemed to regret the part he had taken.

A few minutes, however, displayed the unfeeling and selfish character of this man in the strongest light. ‘Mr. Smith,’ said he, turning to me, ‘for God’s sake do not importune the captain, or he will certainly take me: you are a single man, but I have a large family dependent upon me, who will become orphans and be utterly destitute. The moment I am liberated, I shall proceed to the Havannah, and despatch a man of war in search of the corsair, and at the same time publish to the world the manner in which you have been forcibly detained. Nay, I will represent the whole affair at Lloyd’s; and, should the pirate be captured hereafter, and you found on board, no harm shall befall you. Whatever property you have shall be safely delivered to your family, and mine will for ever bless you for the kind and generous act.’ During this address he was much affected, and the tears streamed from his eyes. I sympathized in his feelings, and replied that I hoped that neither of us would be detained; but if the lot must fall upon one, under these circumstances, and on these conditions, I would consent to become the victim. This declaration calmed his agitated spirits; but little did I think of the treachery and duplicity that had been masked beneath them, and which subsequent events have too clearly demonstrated.

Supper having been prepared, the captain and his officers, six or seven in number, sat down to it, and invited us to join them, which, for fear of giving offence and exciting their brutality, we did. Our supper consisted of garlic and onions chopped fine and mixed up with bread in a bowl, for which there was a general scramble, every one helping himself as he pleased, either with his fingers or any instrument with which he happened to be supplied.

During supper Mr. Lumsden begged to be allowed to go on board the Zephyr to the children, as he was fearful that they would be alarmed at our absence and the presence of strangers, in which request I joined; but he replied that no one would injure them, and that, as soon as the two vessels came to an anchor, he would accompany us on board.

The corsair was at this time fast approaching the Zephyr, when the Captain ordered a musket to be fired, and then tacked in shore; the signal was immediately answered, and the brig followed our movements. One of our boat’s crew was then ordered to the lead, with directions to give notice the moment he found soundings, and the captain then inquired if we had any Americans on board as seamen. He expressed himself very warmly against them, and declared he would kill all belonging to that nation in revenge for the injuries that he had sustained at their hands, one of his vessels having been lately taken and destroyed by them; adding, at the same time, that if he discovered that we had concealed the fact from him, he would punish us equally. To the Americans he said that he should never give quarter; but as all nations were hostile to Spain, he would attack all.

The man at the lead, during this conversation, gave notice of soundings in fourteen fathoms, and the captain ordered the boat down, and told Mr. Lumsden he would accompany him on board his vessel. The men we had brought were ordered into the boat, but Captain Cowper, the carpenter, and myself, were not allowed to go into her. The boat then proceeded towards the Zephyr, with Mr. Lumsden and the captain of the corsair, and shortly after returned with some of the men whom the pirate had put on board; who brought with them Captain Cowper’s watch, the ship’s spy-glass, and my telescope, together with some of my clothes, and a goat. The goat had no sooner reached the deck, than one of these inhuman wretches cut its throat, and proceeded to flay it while it was yet alive, telling us at the same time that we should all be served in the same manner if no money was found on board. The corsair had then got into four fathoms water and came to an anchor, as also did the Zephyr, about fifty yards from her, and the pirates that were on board began hailing their companions, and congratulating one another at their success.

The watch on board the corsair was now set, and Captain Cowper, the carpenter, and myself, were ordered to sleep on the Companion. Thither we repaired; but to sleep was impossible. The carpenter then took an opportunity of informing us that there was specie on board, and expressed his apprehension that, if discovered, the cruel threat would be put into execution. Captain Cowper and myself, however, were ignorant of the circumstance, and felt rather inclined to believe that the carpenter was mistaken; but he assured us that such was the case, and that Mr. Lumsden had consulted him a day or two before about a place for its concealment. The expression which had dropped from him in the boat then occurred to us; but we still felt inclined to believe that it was some private money of his own. The whole night was passed in giving way to various conjectures, and hope and fear and the dread of assassination completely drove sleep away. Each reflected on what might be his future fate, and imparted his hopes or his apprehensions to his fellow-sufferers.

At daylight we perceived the pirates on board beating the Zephyr’s crew with their cutlasses, and began to tremble for our own safety. After this we perceived the sailors at work hoisting out her boats, and hauling a rope cable from the after-hatchway and coiling it on deck, as if preparing to take out the brig’s cargo. The crew of the corsair meanwhile began to take their coffee, and the officers invited us to partake of some, which we willingly did, and found it very refreshing after a night spent in sleepless apprehension.

At seven o’clock the Captain hailed his crew from the Zephyr, where he had passed the night, and ordered the boat to be sent, in which he returned in a short time, with some curiosities belonging to myself. On his arrival, he approached me, and, brandishing a cutlass over my head, told me to go on board the Zephyr, and bring every thing necessary for the purposes of navigation, as it was his determination to keep me. To this mandate I made no reply; so, brandishing his cutlass again, he asked me, with an oath, if I heard him. I replied that I did, when, with a ferocious air, he said, ‘Mind and obey me then, or I will take off your skin.’ At this threat I went into the boat, and pulled towards the Zephyr, and on my arrival found Mr. Lumsden at the gangway. I told him the nature of my visit, at which he expressed his sorrow, but advised me not to oppose the pirate, lest it might produce bad usage, as he seemed bent upon detaining me. He then informed me that they had taken possession of every thing, and that he himself had narrowly escaped assassination on account of his watch.

On entering my cabin, I found my chest broken to pieces, and its contents taken away, with two diamond rings and some articles of value. From a seaman I received my gold watch, sextant, and some other valuable things, which I had previously given to him to conceal; and with these I returned to my own state-room, and proceeded to pack up what few clothes had been left by the plunderers. My books, parrot, and various other articles, I gave in charge to Mr. Lumsden, who engaged to deliver them safely into the hands of my friends, should he reach England.

The corsair had, during the interim, weighed anchor an...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• ORIGINAL PREFACE
• PIRACY
• ALSO AVAILABLE