Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-11-08

ing in the underwriting room Of Lloyds
in London. rings the knell Of each new
loss by seattle most has already been
told in the Evening Sun. And to the
list Of other vessels going to the bot
tom with valuable cargoes under their
matches no year has gone by without
adding at least one new name. Jules
Verne told Of the innumerable wrecks
that strew the ocean floor, when
Arcunax went down for him in the
Nautilus and history bears out the
scientists testimony. But there were
other vessels that did not sink under
the waves until they had given up
, their wealth to their conquerors. 1t
was the taking Of these that added the
most brilliant chapter to English naval
history and gave to fame such names
as Hawkins and Frobisher and Drake.
These were the galleons, rich with gold
and silver and precious stones, that
carried the spoils Of the New World
to the treasures Of Spain or brought
them from the mines Of Potosi to be
carried overland to Nombre de Dios
and Cartagena for the loading Of the
ships of plate" when they arrived in
April Not content with intercepting
the galleons, Drake sailed through the
Straits Of Magellan and attacked the
Lima ship itself on its way to Pan
anna, besides capturing the greatest
prize of all, the Acapulco galleon, that
yearly brought to Peru from, Manila
the tribute of the Philippines.
The gentlemen adventurers" were
followed by others, in the course Of
time, who were more frankly bucca-
neers and pirates. Sir Henry Morgan.
Flint-who gave the name to one
legged John Silver's parrot in Steven
sons Treasure Island'-Van Horn,
Jean Laffitte, Teach and Blackboard
these were all famous, and score be-
sides, but because their concern was
not so much with extraordinary treas
ure as with whatever sailed across
their horizon they can only be barely
mentioned. The history Of piracy and
famous pirates, even IL condensed into
dry dust accounts, would make ten
volumes quarto at the very least. Capt.
Kidd, however, deserves better than to
be forgotten, because as a citizen OF
New York he contributed 80 much to
the resources Of the town that In his
time there is no record on the books
Of the corporation even of the necessity
for issuing bonds to pay for public i'm
provements.
The captain, before he turned pirate,
lived at Sc Wall street, in the respect
able position Of merchant. While he
was in the full enjoyment Of this ca
reer the factors of the city who had,
many of them, chartered vessels to
carry arms and ammunition to the
pirates Of the Red Sea, found to their
Indignation that the cargoes they were
sending out were being seized by other
pirates not apparently aware Of the
honor supposed to prevail among
thieves. Robert Livingston was one OF
the principal sufferers through the
acts Of these buccaneers, and his gorge
rose. In the intensity Of his passion
against all thieves he struck one OF
the pirate captains, who were open
frequenters Of the New York streets
in those days. A fight ensued, and 1t
was only short time .afterward that
Livingston and others sent Kidd out
to exterminate the pirates. Many
comfortable householder mourned his
China tea and spices from the East
Indies, not to speak Of the excellent
rum for which Jamaica was even then
famous. But the law had gone forth,
and no longer did the pirates anchor
their vessels in the lee Of Staten Is
land while they bartered their goods.
Strange stories meanwhile sprang up
concerning Kidd. He no longer sent In
prizes or made reports. The captain
Of more than one vessel that had been
chased brought into New York de-
scription Of his pursuer that fitted too
we'll the Adventure of Kidd. When at
last the Quedaigh Merchant, great
East Indiaman, disappeared and e4O,-
600 with him, Kidd was publicly ad-
vertised as pirate. Unconscious Of
the fate that awaited him, he appeared
some time later in Boston and attempt
ed to defend himself against the
charge. He was seized, however, and
after a trial in England was hanged In
chains at Execution Dock, and with
him passed away the last Of the ia
nous pirates.