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William Fly | |
|---|---|
 Jolly Roger similar to flag flown by Fly | |
| Born | Unknown Unknown, believed to be of British decent. |
| Died | July 12, 1726 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Piratical career | |
| Nickname | None |
| Rank | Captain |
| Base of operations | Coast of U.S. |
| Commands | Fames Revenge |
| Captain William Fly (died July 12, 1726) was an English pirate who raided New England shipping in the 18th century.[1] He sailed on the ship the “Fames Revenge” until being captured and sentenced to death in Boston Massachuessts in 1716.
Early Life
editVery little is known of William Fly especially regarding his early life, he was a poor man “of very obscure parents”.[2]
Pirating Career
editWilliam Fly's career as a pirate began in April 1726 when he signed on to sail with Captain John Green to West Africa as a boatswain on the Elizabeth.[2] Green and Fly began to clash, and Fly with the help of a fellow sailor, Alexander Mitchell, began to organize a mutiny against the Captain.[2] One night the two men roused Capt. Green from his sleep, forced him on deck and had him tossed overboard along with the first mate, Thomas Jenkins.[2] Having captured the ship, the mutineers sewed a Jolly Roger flag, renamed the ship "Fames' Revenge", elected William Fly as captain, and sailed to the coast of North Carolina and north toward New England. They captured five ships within the next two months.[1] After taking the John and Hannah off the coast of North Carolina, Fly punished its captain, John Fulker, tying him to the geers and lashing him before sinking his ship.[1] Flys pirating came to an end when a group of men he had forced aboard the pirate ship over threw him and took control of the ship.[2] William and his crew were then taken to Boston Harbor to stand trial for murder and piracy. William Fly was hung in Boston Harbor on July 12th, 1726. [3]
Death
editWilliam Fly is most known for his death. Awaiting Fly in Boston was the Reverend Doctor Cotton Mather. Rev. Mather had taken a particular interest in Fly's case believing that he could bring him to salvation.[2] However Mathers attempts to save his soul were met with defiance and mockery. Mather concluded that Fly was "a most uncommon and amazing Instance of Impenitency and Stupidity, and What Spectacles of Obduration the Wicked will be."[2] At one of their meetings Fly burst out in anger "I can't Charge myself, I shan't own myself Guilty of any Murder, Our Captain and his Mate used us Barbarously. We poor Men can't have Justice done us. There is nothing said to our Commanders, let them never so much abuse us, and use us like Dogs."[1] Fly was sentenced to hanging for his crimes yet at his execution he was reported to appear calm. One of the biggest surprises was when he began to retie the knot created by the hangman after seeing it had been tied poorly.[2] The crowd of on lookers stood in astonishment as the pirate tied his own noose.[2] When the time came for their last words Mathers wanted him and his crew to provide examples and warnings to the crowd.[2] The three other men on the gallows complied.[2] Fly offered no apologies or warnings against his actions. With his last words he expressed to the crowd Captain Green had driven the men to become pirates through unjust treatment, and that his death might serve as a warning to other captains who would do the same.[2] The execution was performed on July 12th, and Fly's body was hung in chains at the mouth of Boston harbor.[3]
Further reading
edit- Marcus Rediker, "Villains of All Nations: Atlantic Pirates in the Golden Age", Beacon Press, 2004
- Lyons Press, "The History of the Lives and Bloody Exploits of the Most Noted Pirates: Their Trials and Executions", Lyons Press, 2004 ed.
- Capt. Charles Johnson, "A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates", 1724
- See the chapter "The Vial Poured out Upon the Sea" from Daniel E. Williams Pillars of Salt. (Madison: Madison House Press, 1993; pgs 110 - 117) for an interesting description of William Fly's execution.
External links
edit- Pirates, Privateers, Buccaneers, & Swashbucklers
- New England Pirate Museum: William Fly
- Seven Oceans: Captain William Fly
- Pirates hold: William Fly
- The Pirate and the Gallows: An Atlantic Theater of Terror and Resistance, by Marcus Rediker
Category:English pirates Category:Year of birth missing Category:1726 deaths Category:People executed by the Province of Massachusetts Bay Category:Executed English people Category:People executed by hanging Category:People executed for piracy
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References
edit- ^ a b c d Rediker, Marcus. "The Pirate and the Gallows:An Atlantic Theater of Terror and Resistance". American Historical Association. Retrieved 9/27/11.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Rediker, Marcus (2004). Villians of All Nations. Boston, Massachusetts: Beacon Press BookS. pp. 3–5.
- ^ a b Stapleton, David. "William Fly". Pirates Roster. Retrieved 9/22/11.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help)
