Benjamin Hornigold was an English pirate in the 18th century, during the Golden Age of Piracy. He is maybe most famously known for being a mentor for many other pirates who became legends, like
Blackbeard and
Samuel Bellamy. He is also remembered for not being as cruel and severe as other pirates because he used to take what he wanted with no need to kill if it was not necessary.
Benjamin Hornigold, like many other pirates, began his career as a privateer, sailing for England during the War of Spanish Succession. Only months after the war had ended in 1713, he and many other privateers left for New Providence where he had bought several smaller vessels and sloops and found himself a crew. His journey as a pirate could now begin. One of his crewmembers was Edward Teach, later known as
Blackbeard, one of the most notorious pirates who ever sailed. Two of them attacked and plundered ships for several years and after Teach proved himself as a great leader he was given command over a Dutch sloop they had conquered. In 1716 Benjamin Hornigold gave shelter to
Samuel Bellamy and Paul Williams, two pirates who had stoled treasure from one of the biggest pirates those days, Henry Jennings, which resulted with great rivalry among Benjamin Hornigold and Jennings. During 1716 Benjamin Hornigold sailed with
Samuel Bellamy, Williams and a French pirate Olivier La Buse but it lasted only for several months because the other captains were tired of Hornigold’s refusals to attack English ships. In 1717 Benjamin Hornigold and Teach captured several ships off the American coast but the biggest loot came when they seized a French ship filled with gold and other valuable goods. After this victory they had split the treasure and said goodbye. For Teach this was only the beginning of his career but for Benjamin Hornigold it was his last piratical act.
In 1718 new Governor of Jamaica Woodes Rogers offered a pardon for all pirates who wanted one and Hornigold was among the first who accepted it. He soon started to work for Rogers as a pirate hunter and was determined to catch as many as he could, especially his rival Charles Vane. Although he never caught him, he did get to about ten pirates who were later sentenced for piracy and hanged.
In 1719 Benjamin Hornigold disappeared and was never heard of again. Some stories say he was caught up in a storm when he was traveling to Mexico on a trading voyage while others suggest he was captured somewhere near Havana and died in captivity.
Edit Biography