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THE PIRATES OWN BOOK
THE REMARKABLE HISTORY OF THE
JOASSAMEE PIRATES OF THE PERSIAN GULF. Containing a description of their chief town, Ras El Khyma, and an account of the capture of several European vessels, and the barbarous treatment of their crews.--With interesting details of the several expeditions sent against them, and their final submission to the troops of the English East India Company. The line of coast from Cape Mussenndom to Bahrain, on the Arabian side of the Persian Gulf, had been from time immemorial occupied by a tribe of Arabs called Joassamees. These, from local position, were all engaged in maritime pursuits. Some traded in their own small vessels to Bussorah, Bushire, Muscat, and even India; others annually fished in their own boats on the pearl banks of Bahrain; and a still greater number hired themselves out as sailors to navigate the coasting small craft of the Persian Gulf. The Joassamees at length perceiving that their local position enabled them to reap a rich harvest by plundering vessels in passing this great highway of nations, commenced their piratical career. The small coasting vessels of the gulf, from their defenceless state, were the first object of their pursuit, and these soon fell an easy prey; until, emboldened by success, they directed their views to more arduous enterprises, and having tasted the sweets of plunder in the increase of their wealth, had determined to attempt more promising victories. About the year 1797, one of the East India Company's vessels of
war, the Viper, of ten guns, was lying at anchor in the inner roads
of Bushire. Some dows of the Joassamees were at the same moment
anchored in the harbor; but as their warfare had hitherto been
waged only against what are called native vessels, and they had
either feared or respected the British flag, no hostile measures
were ever pursued against them by the British ships. The commanders
of these dows had applied to the Persian agent of the East India
Company there, for a supply of gunpowder and cannon shot for their
cruise: and as this man had no suspicions of their intentions, he
furnished them with an order to the commanding officer on board for
the quantity required. The captain of the Viper was on shore at the
time, in the agent's house, but the order being produced to the
officer on board, the powder and shot were delivered, and the dows
weighed and made sail. The crew of the Viper were at this moment
taking their breakfast on deck, and the officers below; when on a
sudden, a cannonading was opened on them by two of the dows, who
attempted also to board.  A Joassamee Dow in full chase.Alas you scurvy dogs. Click here if ye wish to continue. South Padre Island Pirates Pirate Days on South Padre Island South Padre Island's 35th birthdays celebration kicks into full swing at Louie's Backyard. Activities included a pirate skit, costume contest, fireworks display and live music performed by the BongoDogs. See the Pictures at spiPictures.com. Padre John Bonney Every pirate lives for something different. For some, it's the open sea. For others it's the taking of plunder. For me, it's definitely South Padre Island. It can be a little bit unpredictable, but a pirate's life is full of uncertainties. Arr |
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