Charles Vane was one of the most notorious pirates of the early 18th century, remembered for his ferocity, refusal to submit to royal pardon, and eventual downfall. Active during the so-called Golden Age of Piracy, Vane’s career was marked by bold attacks, shifting alliances, and a grim fate that contrasted sharply with the brief riches of his plunder.
Early Life and Rise
Little is known about Charles Vane’s early life. He likely came from England and first appeared in historical records around 1716 as part of Henry Jennings’ crew operating out of the Bahamas. These early raids were aimed at salvaging Spanish treasure from the 1715 fleet wrecked off the coast of Florida.
By 1717, Vane had established himself as an independent captain. He operated out of Nassau, which had become a pirate haven following the collapse of British authority in the region. Vane quickly gained a reputation for being aggressive and unpredictable, often refusing to show mercy even when ships surrendered without resistance.
Weapons and Combat Style
Charles Vane and his crew favoured brutal close-quarters combat. Contemporary accounts suggest they were heavily armed with:
- Flintlock pistols and cutlasses, ideal for boarding actions
- Grenadoes (primitive hand grenades) to sow chaos before boarding
- Swivel guns mounted on the rails of his ships for rapid, short-range fire
- Muskets for long-distance engagement during sea chases
Vane’s preference for intimidation and violence made him a fearsome opponent even among pirates.
Ships
Vane commanded several ships during his career, the most famous being:
- Ranger: His flagship, a brigantine armed with at least a dozen guns.
- Lark (briefly): Captured in 1718 and renamed, but lost in a storm.
- Smaller sloops used for speed and raiding across the Caribbean.
His crews were often large by pirate standards, sometimes numbering over 100 men.
Treasure and Bounty
Vane’s targets were typically merchant ships along the trade routes of the West Indies and the Eastern Seaboard. While exact figures are hard to verify, he and his men looted significant amounts of:
- Gold and silver from Spanish vessels
- Trade goods including tobacco, sugar, and indigo
- Weapons, ammunition, and ship supplies
In 1718, Governor Woodes Rogers arrived in Nassau offering royal pardons to pirates. Vane refused, famously sailing out of harbour with a flag of defiance and firing a salute of blank cannon shots.
The British crown later placed a bounty on Vane’s head. Reports suggest the reward for his capture reached £100, a sizeable sum at the time.
Key Battles and Raids
Attack on the Eleuthera packet (1718):
Vane seized the British ship and added it to his fleet, cementing his control in the Bahamas.
Refusal to aid Blackbeard (late 1718):
Vane allegedly ignored a call to join Blackbeard at Ocracoke. This widened a rift between him and other prominent pirates, damaging his alliances.
Battle with HMS Phoenix:
Rather than fight the Royal Navy ship, Vane ordered a retreat. His decision cost him the loyalty of his crew, who saw it as cowardice.
Decline and Mutiny
Vane’s downfall began with a failed encounter near Jamaica in November 1718. After refusing to engage what he believed was a superior vessel, his quartermaster, Calico Jack Rackham, led a mutiny. Vane and a few loyal followers were set adrift in a small sloop.
He continued to plunder for a short time but never regained his former power. Eventually, he was shipwrecked on an uninhabited island, captured by British forces, and transported to Port Royal.
Trial and Execution
Vane was tried and convicted of piracy in 1720. He offered no significant defence and remained unrepentant. He was hanged at Gallows Point, Port Royal, in March 1721.
A contemporary report from The Weekly Journal reads:
“Vane died as he lived, with no plea but defiance in his eye, and a rope in his future.”
His body was tarred and hung in chains as a warning to others, a common fate for pirates at the time.
Legacy
Charles Vane is remembered as a symbol of piracy’s defiant spirit. He stood against pardons and turned down alliances that might have secured his survival. His name appears frequently in both British naval records and pirate ballads of the era.
Despite his failures and eventual execution, he remains one of the few pirates who consistently resisted compromise. While others sought peace or profit, Vane seemed driven by a belief in pirate freedom, no matter the cost.
Where to Learn More
- National Maritime Museum, Greenwich holds records of pirate trials and Royal Navy engagements.
- Jamaica Archives at Spanish Town contain documents relating to Vane’s imprisonment and execution.
- Replica pirate ships and exhibitions often include items associated with pirates like Vane, including cutlasses, pistols, and black flags of the period.
His story survives through court documents, letters from governors, and sailors’ journals. Vane’s life may have ended in disgrace, but his defiance ensured he would be remembered.
Watch the documentary:
