- Robert Culliford
Robert Culliford was an English
pirate who was the former first mate of CaptainWilliam Kidd before spearheading a mutiny to steal Kidd's first ship, the "Blessed William", and its crew in February 1690. Among the thieves, a man named William May was made captain of their new ship.Later, May and Culliford jumped ship at the Nicobar Islands and returned to New York. May was given command of the "Pearl" and Culliford became her quartermaster. When they arrived in Mangabre, India in October 1694, Culliford signed aboard the "Merchantman Josiah" as a gunner. In June 1696, he led a mutiny, seizing the ship.
Near the Nicobar Islands, the crew retook the ship and marooned him. He was rescued by Ralph Stout, captain of the "Mocha". When Stout was killed in 1697, Culliford became captain. He then pursued the British ship "Dorill". But the "Dorill" opened fire and cut off the "Mocha's" main mast. Culliford retreated to St. Mary's Island (
Île Sainte-Marie ) off easternMadagascar , plundering ships along the way. At Saint Mary's, Culliford plundered a French ship with £ 2,000 worth of cargo.Meanwhile, William Kidd had pirated and divided his most famous haul, the "Quedah Merchant", and met up with Culliford at St. Mary's Island (
Île Sainte-Marie ). Kidd forgave Culliford and most of Kidd's crew enlisted with Culliford. Culliford and his new crew then set off in late June, 1698.Shortly after departing Saint Mary's Island, Culliford met up with Dirk Chivers. They joined forces and captured the "Great Mohammed" in the Red Sea in September of 1698. The "Great Mohammed" carried £ 130,000 in cash. While returning to Saint Mary's Island they plundered another ship in February 1699. While at Saint Mary's Island, four British warships arrived. The pirates were offered a royal pardon, which Culliford accepted.
There, he was arrested and tried for piracy of the "Great Mohammed" and his pardon was ruled invalid. He was saved from hanging, because he was needed in Samuel Burgess' trial. Following the trial, Culliford disappeared from record, and rumor has it that he next served on a naval ship.
References
*Zacks, Richard (2002). "The Pirate Hunter : The True Story of Captain Kidd". Hyperion Books (ISBN 0-7868-8451-7)
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