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75-802: In 1473, the Portuguese navigator Lopo Gonçalves sailed near Cape Lopez. In 1722, pirates led by Bartholomew Roberts fought a battle in the Cape Lopez Bay against the Royal Navy . The encounter ended in Roberts' death. The settlement was established on Mandji Island in the delta of the Ogooué River by the French, who signed a treaty with the Orungu people in 1873. It was used as a base for

150-609: A navigator and took to consulting him. He was also able to confide information to Roberts in the Welsh language , thereby keeping it hidden from the English and international crewmen. Roberts is said to have been reluctant to become a pirate at first, but quickly came to see the advantages of this new lifestyle and saw it as a great opportunity for him. Captain Charles Johnson reports him as saying: In an honest service there

225-403: A pirate code , which they swore on a Bible to uphold. In late February 1720, they were joined by French pirate Montigny la Palisse in another sloop, Sea King . The inhabitants of Barbados equipped two well-armed ships, Summerset and Philipa , to try to put an end to the pirate menace. On 26 February, they encountered the two pirate sloops. Sea King quickly fled, and Fortune broke off

300-428: A shoal , making the pirates think that she was a fleeing merchant ship; some sources claim Ogle spotted Roberts' ships and turned Swallow as a ruse. Ranger departed in pursuit, commanded by James Skyrme. Once out of earshot of the other pirates, Swallow opened her gun ports and opened fire. Ten pirates were killed and Skyrme had his leg taken off by a cannonball, but he refused to leave the deck. Eventually, Ranger

375-557: A Dutch Guineaman , then two days later a British ship called Experiment . The pirate ship took on water and provisions at Anamboe, where a vote was taken on whether the next voyage should be to the East Indies or to Brazil . The vote was for Brazil. The combination of bravery and success that marked this adventure cemented most of the crew's loyalty to Roberts. They concluded that he was "pistol proof" and that they had much to gain by staying with him. Roberts and his crew crossed

450-630: A Halter'. Roberts is commonly described as wearing a red waistcoat with scarlet breeches and a scarlet flamingo plume. The red costume may have been to disguise any blood in battle or as a demonstration of his disregard for anonymity. Roberts also wore a large diamond cross which was reputedly the property of the King of Portugal. After his exploits in Newfoundland, a state Governor from New England commented that "one cannot with-hold admiration for his bravery and courage". He hated cowardice, and when

525-442: A dollar in plate, jewels, or money, marooning was their punishment. If the robbery was only betwixt one another, they contented themselves with slitting the ears and nose of him that was guilty, and set him on shore, not in an uninhabited place, but somewhere, where he was sure to encounter hardships. III. No person to game at cards or dice for money. IV. The lights and candles to be put out at eight o'clock at night: if any of

600-405: A dozen vessels. On 21 June, he attacked the larger harbour of Trepassey , sailing in with black flags flying. In the harbour he discovered 22 merchant ships and 150 fishing ships. All of these vessels were abandoned by their panic-stricken captains and crews, and the pirates were masters of Trepassey without any resistance being offered. Roberts had captured all 22 merchant ships, but was angered by

675-401: A flaming sword and standing upon 2 skulls, one labelled ABH (A Barbadian's Head) and the other AMH (A Martiniquian's Head), although this is not corroborated by period sources. Fortune next headed northwards towards Newfoundland , raiding Canso, Nova Scotia , and capturing a number of ships around Cape Breton and the Newfoundland banks. Roberts raided the harbour of Ferryland, capturing

750-721: A mission in Baraka, Gabon, on what is now Libreville, in 1842. In 1846, the Brazilian slave ship L'Elizia , carrying slaves from the Congo, was captured near Loango by the French navy which was tasked with contributing to the British Blockade of Africa . Fifty-two of the freed slaves were resettled on the site of Libreville (French for "Freetown") in 1849. Following the French Revolution of 1848 and establishment of

825-713: A popular subject for writers of both fiction and non-fiction. To this day, Roberts continues to feature in popular culture , and has inspired fictional characters (such as the Dread Pirate Roberts ). He was born John Roberts in 1682 in Casnewydd Bach , between Fishguard and Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire , Wales. His father was most likely George Roberts. It is unclear why Roberts changed his name from John to Bartholomew, but pirates often adopted aliases. He may have chosen his first name after

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900-551: A prize: the master , boatswain , and gunner , one share and a half, and other officers one and quarter. XI. The musicians to have rest on the Sabbath Day, but the other six days and nights, none without special favour. Most of the information on Roberts comes from the book A General History of the Pyrates , published a few years after Roberts' death. The original 1724 title page credits one Captain Charles Johnson as

975-593: A variety of countries including Ireland, Scotland, the West Indies, the Netherlands, and Greece. Captain Chaloner Ogle was rewarded with a knighthood, the only British naval officer to be honoured specifically for his actions against pirates. He also profited financially, taking gold dust from Roberts' cabin, and he eventually became an admiral. This battle proved a turning point in the war against

1050-506: Is home to a shipbuilding industry, brewing industry, and sawmills. The city exports raw materials such as wood, rubber and cocoa from the city's main port, and the deepwater port at Owendo . Gabon Airlines has its headquarters in Libreville. Prior to their dissolutions, both Air Gabon and Gabon Express were headquartered on the grounds of Libreville International Airport . The French Army 's 6th Marine Infantry Battalion

1125-464: Is home to one-third of the national population. Various native peoples lived in or used the area that is now Libreville before colonization, including the Mpongwé tribe. French admiral Édouard Bouët-Willaumez negotiated a trade and protection treaty with the local Mpongwé ruler, Antchoué Komé Rapontcombo (known to the French as King Denis), in 1839. American missionaries from New England established

1200-515: Is the case with other cities in Gabon, the authorities have not yet implemented house numbering in Port-Gentil, and the use of postal boxes is common. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies Port-Gentil's climate as tropical wet and dry (Aw). Despite the fact that the city lies in close proximity to the equator, Port-Gentil experiences noticeably warmer and cooler periods of

1275-569: Is thin commons, low wages, and hard labour. In this, plenty and satiety, pleasure and ease, liberty and power; and who would not balance creditor on this side, when all the hazard that is run for it, at worst is only a sour look or two at choking? No, a merry life and a short one shall be my motto. In the merchant navy, Roberts' wage was less than £4 per month (equivalent to £809 in 2023) and he had no chance of promotion to captaincy. A few weeks after Roberts' capture, Royal James had to be abandoned because of worm damage. Royal Rover headed for

1350-602: Is where the city stands, labeling the city as a part of north-west Gabon. In terms of the country's surrounding boundaries, north is Cameroon , east is Congo , and south-east is the Democratic Republic of the Congo . It also rides the shores of the South Atlantic Ocean, which is on the country's west coast for reference. Additionally, in terms of aquatic geography, the Komo River passes through

1425-531: The French Second Republic , the former slaves organized an election to select leaders of the new village in 1849. A former slave named Mountier was elected Mayor of Libreville. Libreville was the administrative capital of France's Congo-Gabon colony between 1888 and 1904, when the capital moved to Brazzaville . In 1910, Gabon became part of French Equatorial Africa ( Afrique équatoriale française , AEF). French companies were allowed to exploit

1500-593: The Gold Coast of West Africa, present-day Ghana ) when she was captured by pirates. The pirates were in two vessels, Royal Rover and Royal James, and were led by captain Howell Davis . Davis, like Roberts, was a Welshman, originally from Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire . Roberts and several other of the crew of the Princess were forced to join the pirates. Davis quickly discovered Roberts' abilities as

1575-591: The Governor of Martinique , who was sailing aboard a 52-gun French warship . The Governor was caught and promptly hanged on the yardarm of his own ship, which the pirates converted into the new Royal Fortune . According to Sanders as well as Konstam and Rickman, this reported capture was an embellishment by Captain Charles Johnson in his A General History of the Pyrates . French sources confirm that while Roberts did capture and torture some French officials by pretending to hang them, he in fact released them, and Hurault

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1650-722: The Middle Congo (modern-day Congo-Brazzaville). It soon became necessary to build a railroad that would connect Brazzaville , the terminus of the river navigation on the Congo River and the Ubangi River , with the Atlantic coast. As rapids make it impossible to navigate on the Congo River past Brazzaville, and the coastal railroad terminus site had to allow for the construction of a deep-sea port, authorities chose

1725-468: The Mpongwe people since before the French acquired the land in 1839. It was later an American Christian mission , and a slave resettlement site, before becoming the chief port of the colony of French Equatorial Africa . By the time of Gabonese independence in 1960, the city was a trading post and minor administrative centre with a population of 32,000. Since 1960, Libreville has grown rapidly and now

1800-626: The Royal African Company ; Burl comments that they "exchanged an immediate death for a lingering one". Seventeen men were sent to the Marshalsea prison in London for trial, where some were acquitted and released. Of the captured pirates who told their place of birth, 42% were from Cornwall , Devon , and Somerset , and another 19% from London. There were smaller numbers from northern England and from Wales, and another quarter from

1875-453: The places of worship , they are predominantly Christian churches and temples: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Libreville ( Catholic Church ), Église de l'Alliance chrétienne et missionnaire du Gabon ( Alliance World Fellowship ), Assemblies of God , Evangelical Church of Gabon . There are also Muslim mosques. Libreville is one of several African cities where French is truly becoming a native language, with some local features. The city

1950-543: The Atlantic and watered and boot-topped their ship on the uninhabited island of Ferdinando. They spent about nine weeks off the Brazilian coast but saw no ships. They were about to leave for the West Indies when they encountered a fleet of 42 Portuguese ships in the Todos os Santos' Bay , waiting for two men-of-war of 70 guns each to escort them to Lisbon . Roberts took one of the vessels and ordered her master to point out

2025-509: The Carrefour Tobia or Léon Mba, close to the downtown area. There are plenty of shared taxi services for which the price of a drive is negotiable, starting usually at 400 CFA Francs . The taxi fare usually doubles for night drives. A premium price (doubled fare) is requested for passengers travelling beyond paved roads, given the hardships of the road, lack or non existence of illuminated roads at night, or pedestrians randomly walking on

2100-633: The Casino and Cecado brands) and the Casino de Port-Gentil are found within the downtown area between the Avenue Savorgnan de Brazzaville and the seaside. The area also concentrates a residential compound for foreign workforce. In the southern part, the BEAC building lies next to the port. The western Atlantic seaside is scarcely populated, mainly due to the presence of strong winds and sea currents. As

2175-526: The River Surinam where they captured a sloop. After they sighted a brigantine , Roberts took 40 men to pursue it in the sloop, leaving Walter Kennedy in command of Rover. The sloop became wind-bound for eight days, and when Roberts and his crew finally returned to their ship, they discovered that Kennedy had sailed off with Rover and what remained of the loot. Roberts and his crew renamed their sloop Fortune and agreed on new articles, now known as

2250-739: The Route de la Sobraga, * Clinique du Littoral, located on the Boulevard du Gouverneur Pélieu, * Centre du Traitement Ambulatoire on the road to N'Tchengue. Schools include: Among the places of worship , they are predominantly Christian churches and temples : Roman Catholic Diocese of Port-Gentil ( Catholic Church ), Assemblies of God , Evangelical Church of Gabon . There are also Muslim mosques. 0°43′S 8°47′E  /  0.717°S 8.783°E  / -0.717; 8.783 Bartholomew Roberts Bartholomew Roberts (17 May 1682 – 10 February 1722), born John Roberts ,

2325-481: The Royal Navy, moved to consolidate control over French Equatorial Africa. With national independence on the horizon, Léon M'ba won Libreville's first free mayoral election in 1956. Mba was later the first president of independent Gabon. The city's population was only 32,000 at independence, but grew rapidly thereafter. It now houses one-third of the national population. From north to south, major districts of

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2400-576: The author. (The book is often printed under the byline of Daniel Defoe on the assumption that "Charles Johnson" is a pseudonym , but there is no proof that Defoe is the author, and the matter remains in dispute.) Johnson devotes more space to Roberts than to any of the other pirates in his book, describing him as: ... a tall black [i.e. dark complexioned] Man, near forty Years of Age ... of good natural Parts, and personal Bravery, tho' he apply'd them to such wicked Purposes, as made them of no Commendation, frequently drinking 'Damn to him who ever lived to wear

2475-437: The battle, including Roberts. A total of 272 pirates serving under Roberts had been captured during the battle; of these, 65 were former African slaves that Roberts had emancipated, and they were sold back into slavery. The remainder were taken to Cape Coast Castle , apart from those who died on the voyage back. 54 were condemned to death, of whom 52 were hanged and two reprieved. Another twenty were allowed to sign indentures with

2550-479: The city and empties into the ocean. The Komo River also stands as a potential hydroelectric source of power for the city which could generate supportive amounts of energy and power. Several city districts provide distinct and separate benefits throughout the city as well. In terms of nightlife, the Quartier Louis sector is most renowned. One of this zone's sides includes the coast, and this heavily influences

2625-668: The city are the residential area Batterie IV , Quartier Louis (known for its nightlife ), Mont-Bouët and Nombakélé (busy commercial areas), Glass (the first European settlement in Gabon), Oloumi (a major industrial area) and Lalala , a residential area. The city's port and train station on the Trans-Gabon Railway line to Franceville lie in Owendo , south of the main built-up area. Inland from these districts lie poorer residential areas. North-west of Equatorial Guinea

2700-453: The city. National Taxis operate around the city. Each district has a colour for its taxis and Libreville's is red. The National Society of Transport ( SOGATRA ) launched new taxis that operate on a counter system in 2014. The Gabonese Transport Company operates a bus service to all districts of Libreville. The Omar Bongo University was founded in 1970. There are several high-end international schools in Libreville, including: Among

2775-575: The coast to Omboué . The project was funded by a loan from the Export–Import Bank of China and constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation and GAUFF Engineering. The limited number of paved roads within the city are poorly maintained. The roads are paved in the inner city up to the outskirts of the new residential districts in N'Tchengue, where sandy paths with frequent potholes prevail. Traffic jams are common in road junctions such as

2850-400: The cowardice of the captains who had fled their ships. Every morning he had a gun fired and the captains were forced to attend Roberts on board his ship; they were told that anyone who was absent would have his ship burnt. One brig from Bristol was taken over by the pirates to replace the sloop Fortune and fitted out with 16 guns. When the pirates left in late June, all the other vessels in

2925-583: The crew demanded it, but: Libreville Libreville is the capital and largest city of Gabon , located on the Gabon Estuary . Libreville occupies 65 square kilometres (25 sq mi) of the northwestern province of Estuaire . Libreville is also a port on the Gabon Estuary, near the Gulf of Guinea . As of the 2013 census, its population was 703,904. The area has been inhabited by

3000-404: The crew, after that hour still remained inclined for drinking, they were to do it on the open deck; V. To keep their piece, pistols, and cutlass clean and fit for service. VI. No boy or woman to be allowed amongst them. If any man were to be found seducing any of the latter sex, and carried her to sea, disguised, he was to suffer death; VII. To desert the ship or their quarters in battle,

3075-575: The crews of 22 ships in Trepassey harbour fled without firing a shot he was angry at their failure to defend their ships. Roberts was the archetypal pirate captain in his love of fine clothing and jewelry, but he had some traits unusual in a pirate, notably a preference for drinking tea rather than rum. He is often described as a teetotaler and a Sabbatarian , but there is no proof of this. He certainly disliked drunkenness while at sea, yet it appears that he drank beer. Ironically, Roberts' final defeat

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3150-401: The engagement after sustaining considerable damage and was able to escape. Roberts headed for Dominica to repair the sloop, with twenty of his crew dying of their wounds on the voyage. There were also two sloops from Martinique out searching for the pirates, and Roberts swore vengeance against the inhabitants of Barbados and Martinique. He had a new flag made with a drawing of himself holding

3225-415: The expeditions of de Brazza into the interior, then in 1894 a customs post was set up, becoming the nucleus of a trading center that included Hatton & Cookson , John Holt , Woermann , Société du Haut-Ogooué , and Compagnie d'Exploitations Forestières Africaines . The main products were initially rubber and ivory , gradually supplemented by woods , particularly okoumé for plywood . The town

3300-452: The fort, shooting Davis dead. A new captain had to be elected. Davis' crew was divided into "Lords" and "Commons", and it was the "Lords" who had the right to propose a name to the remainder of the crew. Within six weeks of his capture, Roberts was elected captain. This was unusual, especially as he had objected to serving on the vessel. Historians believe he was elected for his navigational abilities and his personality, which history reflects

3375-401: The fresh provisions, or strong liquors, at any time seized, and may use them at pleasure, unless a scarcity makes it necessary, for the good of all, to vote a retrenchment. II. Every man to be called fairly in turn, by list, on board of prizes because, (over and above their proper share,) they were on these occasions allowed a shift of clothes: but if they defrauded the company to the value of

3450-399: The harbour were set on fire. During July, Roberts captured nine or ten French ships and commandeered one of them, fitting her with 26 cannons and changing her name to Good Fortune . With this more powerful ship, the pirates captured many more vessels before heading south for the West Indies, accompanied by Montigny la Palisse's sloop, which had rejoined them. In September 1720, Good Fortune

3525-508: The island of Annobón . Sutton was replaced by Skyrme as captain of Ranger . They captured several vessels in January 1722, then sailed into Ouidah (Whydah) harbour with black flags flying. The eleven ships at anchor there immediately struck their colours, but were restored to their owners after a ransom of eight pounds of gold dust per ship was paid. When the master of one of the ships refused these terms, Roberts had his crew climb aboard

3600-447: The island of Príncipe . Davis hoisted the flags of a British man-of-war and was allowed to enter the harbor. After a few days, Davis invited the governor to lunch on board his ship, intending to hold him hostage for a ransom. Davis had to send boats to collect the governor, and he was invited to call at the fort for a glass of wine first. The Portuguese had discovered that their visitors were pirates. They ambushed Davis' party on its way to

3675-400: The lack of rain, Libreville remains very cloudy during this time of year. As is common with many cities with this climate, average temperatures remain relatively constant throughout the course of the year, with average high temperatures at around 29 °C (84 °F). Léon-Mba International Airport is the largest airport in Gabon and is located around 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) north of

3750-499: The pirates, and many consider the death of Roberts to mark the end of the Golden Age of Piracy. The defeat of Roberts and the subsequent eradication of piracy off the coast of Africa represented a turning point in the slave trade and even in the larger history of capitalism. As recorded by Captain Charles Johnson regarding the articles of Bartholomew Roberts: I. Every man has a vote in affairs of moment; has equal title to

3825-481: The populace resides. Libreville features a tropical monsoon climate ( Am ) with a lengthy wet season and a short dry season . The city's wet season , which is also its autumn, winter and spring, spans about nine months (September through May), with a great deal of rain falling during these months. Its dry season (or summer) lasts from June through August, and is caused by the cold Benguela Current reaching its northernmost extent and suppressing rainfall. Despite

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3900-485: The possible activities available in the area. Commercial areas within Libreville are housed in the Mont-Bouët and Nombakélé districts, which feature several shopping centers and stations selling purchasable goods. Oloumi contains much of the city's industry, integrating production separately from the districts that focus upon other aspects. Finally, Lalala and Batterie IV are residential and housing sectors, where much of

3975-409: The richest ship in the fleet. He pointed out Sagrada Familia, a ship of 40 guns and a crew of 170, which Roberts and his men boarded and captured. Sagrada Familia contained 40,000 gold moidores and jewellery designed for the King of Portugal, including a cross set with diamonds. Rover next headed for Devil's Island off the coast of Guiana to spend the booty. A few weeks later, they headed for

4050-467: The road. Most of the cars are obsolete given the prohibitively high cost of new imported cars. Furthermore, the lack of local car spareparts manufacturers underscores the need to import such parts from as far as Europe, the increased price as well as the lengthy delivery duration penalize altogether the traffic. Hospitals within Port-Gentil include: * Clinique Mandji, located in the Littoral district on

4125-427: The ship and set her on fire. The captured vessels were slave ships, and the one set on fire had around eighty enslaved Africans on board. They perished either as a result of the fire or by drowning or shark attack after jumping overboard. On 5 February 1722, Captain Chaloner Ogle of HMS Swallow came upon the pirate ships Royal Fortune , Ranger , and Little Ranger at Cape Lopez . Swallow veered away to avoid

4200-561: The site of Ponta Negra instead of Libreville as originally envisaged. Construction of the Congo–Ocean Railway began in 1921, and Libreville was surpassed by the rapid growth of Pointe-Noire , farther down the coast. Libreville received its first bank branch when Bank of West Africa (BAO) opened a branch in 1930. In 1940, Libreville was the central focus of the Battle of Gabon as Charles de Gaulle 's Free French forces, supported by

4275-475: The well-known buccaneer Bartholomew Sharp . He was thought to have gone to sea when he was 13 in 1695, but there is no further record of him until 1718, when he was mate of a Barbados sloop . In 1719, Roberts was second mate on the slave ship Princess under Captain Abraham Plumb. In early June that year, the Princess was anchored at Anomabu (then spelled Annamaboa, which is situated along

4350-606: The year with average temperatures in July (the city's coolest month) hovering at around 23.5 °C (74.3 °F) and average temperatures in February and March (the city's warmest months) at around 27 °C (81 °F). Port-Gentil features a lengthy wet season that runs from October through May and a relatively short dry season that covers the remaining four months. The city receives roughly 2,000 millimetres (79 in) of precipitation annually. The highest recorded temperature

4425-504: Was careened and repaired at the island of Carriacou before being renamed Royal Fortune , the first of several ships to be given this name by Roberts. In late September, Royal Fortune and Fortune headed for the island of St. Christopher's and entered Basse Terra Road, flying black flags and with their drummers and trumpeters playing. They sailed in among the ships in the Road, all of which promptly struck their flags . The next landfall

4500-443: Was 38.0 °C (100.4 °F) on 26 February 2016; the lowest recorded temperature was 13.2 °C (55.8 °F) on 1 August 1953. The city has an airport, Port-Gentil International Airport , serving as the main channel of transportation with the world. Regular flights connect it with Libreville , capital of Gabon . Port-Gentil is connected to the mainland by a series of roads and bridges, stretching 93 km southwards along

4575-799: Was a Welsh pirate who was, measured by vessels captured, the most successful pirate of the Golden Age of Piracy . During his piratical career, he took over 400 prize ships , although most were mere fishing boats. Roberts raided ships off the Americas and the West African coast between 1719 and 1722; he is also noted for creating his own pirate code , and adopting an early variant of the Skull and Crossbones flag. Roberts's infamy and success saw him become known as The Great Pyrate and eventually as Black Bart ( Welsh : Barti Ddu ), and made him

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4650-601: Was at the Cape Verde islands. Royal Fortune was found to be leaky and abandoned there. The pirates transferred to Sea King , which was renamed Royal Fortune . The new Royal Fortune made landfall off the Guinea coast in early June, near the mouth of the Senegal River. Two French ships, one of 10 guns and one of 16 guns, gave chase, but were captured by Roberts. Both ships were commandeered. One, Comte de Toulouse ,

4725-486: Was at the island of St. Bartholomew , where the French governor allowed the pirates to remain for several weeks to carouse. By 25 October, they were at sea again off St. Lucia , where they captured up to 15 French and English ships in the next three days. Among the captured ships was Greyhound , whose chief mate James Skyrme joined the pirates. He later became captain of Roberts' consort, Ranger . During this time, Roberts reportedly caught Florimond Hurault de Montigny,

4800-511: Was breakfasting with Captain Hill, the master of Neptune . As he usually did before action, he dressed himself in his finest clothes: Roberts himself made a gallant figure, at the time of the engagement , being dressed in a rich crimson damask waistcoat and breeches, a red feather in his hat, a gold chain round his neck, with a diamond cross hanging to it, a sword in his hand, and two pairs of pistols slung over his shoulders ..." The pirates' plan

4875-551: Was established by SOGARA in the 1960s, with natural gas added in 1968. The town is now known for its hotels and its nightlife , while attractions include the St Louis Church (built in 1927), a zoo , a casino , beaches and a golf course , as well as the wildlife in local swamps . The city centre lies next to the harbour on the Port-Gentil Bay seaside. Hotels, banks, shops, and supermarkets (such as

4950-728: Was facilitated by the drunkenness of his crew. The Sabbatarian claim arises from the fact that musicians were not obliged to play on the Sabbath – this may merely have been intended to ensure the musicians a day's rest, as they were otherwise obliged to play whenever the crew demanded. Black Bart was not as cruel to prisoners as some pirates such as Edward Low and Francis Spriggs , but did not treat them as well as did Samuel Bellamy , Howell Davis , or Edward England . Roberts sometimes gave gifts to cooperative captains and crews of captured ships, such as pieces of jewelry or items of captured cargo. He would sometimes ill-use prisoners if he felt that

5025-451: Was forced to strike her colors, and the surviving crew were captured. On 10 February, Swallow returned to Cape Lopez and found Royal Fortune still there. On the previous day, Roberts had captured Neptune , and many of his crew were drunk and unfit for duty just when he needed them most. At first, the pirates thought that the approaching ship was Ranger returning, but a deserter from Swallow recognized her and informed Roberts while he

5100-437: Was fulfilled by his crew, who weighed his body down and threw it overboard after wrapping it in his ship's sail. It was never found. The battle continued for another two hours until Royal Fortune ' s mainmast fell and the pirates signaled for quarter. One member of the crew, John Philips, tried to reach the magazine with a lighted match to blow up the ship, but was prevented by two men. Only three pirates had been killed in

5175-498: Was named after the French colonial administrator Émile Gentil in 1900. After World War I it became a port for timber , but it grew rapidly only after Elf began oil exploration in the area. It received its first bank branch when Bank of West Africa (BAO) opened a branch there in 1928. The city was the location of the exile of Moroccan nationalist leader Allal al-Fassi who resided in the city between 1937 and 1946. A 1947 population of 4,500 grew to 21,000 by 1960. An oil refinery

5250-537: Was not among them. By the spring of 1721, Roberts' depredations had almost brought seaborne trade to a standstill in the West Indies. Royal Fortune and Good Fortune therefore set sail for West Africa. On 18 April, Thomas Anstis , the commander of Good Fortune , left Roberts in the night and continued to raid shipping in the Caribbean, with future captains John Fenn and Brigstock Weaver aboard. Royal Fortune continued towards Africa. By late April, Roberts

5325-664: Was outspoken and opinionated. He accepted of the Honour, saying, that since he had dipp'd his Hands in Muddy Water, and must be a Pyrate, it was better being a Commander than a common Man. Roberts' first act as captain was to lead the crew back to Príncipe to avenge the death of Captain Davis. Roberts and his crew landed on the island in the darkness of night, killed a large portion of the male population, and stole all items of value that they could carry away. Soon afterwards, he captured

5400-505: Was punished with death or marooning. VIII. No striking one another on board, but every man's quarrels to be ended on shore, at sword and pistol. IX. No man to talk of breaking up their way of living, till each had shared one thousand pounds. If in order to this, any man should lose a limb, or become a cripple in their service, he was to have eight hundred dollars, out of the public stock, and for lesser hurts, proportionately. X. The Captain and Quartermaster to receive two shares of

5475-610: Was renamed Ranger , while the other was named Little Ranger and used as a storeship. Thomas Sutton was made captain of Ranger and James Skyrme captain of Little Ranger . Roberts next headed for Sierra Leone , arriving on 12 June. Here he was told by retired pirate John "Old Crackers" Leadstone that two Royal Navy ships, HMS  Swallow and HMS  Weymouth , had left at the end of April, planning to return before Christmas. On 8 August, he captured two large ships at Point Cestos, now River Cess in Liberia . One of these

5550-435: Was the frigate Onslow , transporting soldiers bound for Cape Coast (Cabo Corso) Castle. A number of the soldiers wished to join the pirates, and they were eventually accepted, however they only received a quarter of a pirates pay because they were not sailors most of their lives. Onslow was converted to become the fourth Royal Fortune . In November and December, the pirates careened their ships and relaxed at Cape Lopez and

5625-522: Was to sail past Swallow , which meant exposing themselves to one broadside. Once past, they would have a good chance of escaping. However, the helmsman failed to keep Royal Fortune on the right course, and Swallow was able to approach to deliver a second broadside. Captain Roberts was killed by grapeshot , which struck him in the throat while he stood on the deck. Before his body could be captured by Ogle, Roberts's wish to be buried at sea with all his arms and ornaments on (a request he had repeated in life)

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