Howell Davis, Welsh Pirate

Howell Davis, Welsh Pirate

Howell Davis (1690 - June 19, 1719) was a Welsh pirate. His pirate career lasted only 11 months. In July 1718 the slave ship Cadogan, on which he was serving as a mate, was captured by the pirate Edward England and he was asked to join. He crossed the Atlantic to terrorize shipping in the Cape Verde Islands and the Gold Coast. He pretended to be a legitimate privateer to deceive the commander of a Royal African Company slaving fort in Gambia. After capturing the commander he held him for ransom and gained 2,000 pounds in gold. When he tried pretending to be a Royal Navy pirate hunter in order to kidnap the governor of the Portuguese island of Príncipe, the governor saw through it. The pirates were ambushed and Davis was shot dead on June 19, 1719. His ships were the Cadogan, Buck, Saint James, and Rover. Davis captured 15 known English and French ships.

Album / Science Source / New York Public Library

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