Pirate Captain Joseph Bannister and his infamous ship, the Golden Fleece may not be the best known pirate. His daring exploits included avoiding sentencing at his trial, a midnight escape from Port Royal in Jamaica aboard his ship The Golden Fleece, defeating two British frigates sent to capture him, before being caught.
This is the story of a daring pirate, a ship of formidable might, and a battle that would cement Bannister’s legacy in maritime history.
Advertisement:
The Golden Fleece: The Pirate Ship of Captain Joseph Bannister
From Reputable Captain to Infamous Pirate
Captain Joseph Bannister was not always a pirate. For many years, he was a respected English captain, sailing between England and Jamaica, earning a reputation as a skilled and reliable mariner.
However, in 1684, Bannister decided to seek fortune and glory outside the bounds of the law. He commandeered the Golden Fleece, a ship armed with 30 to 40 guns and manned by a crew of over 100 men, setting his sights on a life of piracy.
Trial and Escape
Bannister’s pirating activities did not go unnoticed. The British dispatched a navy ship that eventually captured him. Bannister was put on trial in Port Royal, Jamaica, a hub of maritime activity and a hotbed for piracy. Remarkably, he was acquitted of the charge of robbing a Spanish ship and was ordered to remain in Port Royal.
Bannister, however, was not just any captain; he was smart and resourceful. Defying the odds, he escaped Port Royal at midnight. Evading British capture he again commandeered the Golden Fleece and returned to his pirating ways.
The Battle of Bahia Samaná
In 1686, Bannister and the Golden Fleece were discovered hiding in Bahia Samaná, a natural harbor in the Dominican Republic.
Bannister had careened The Golden Fleece, grounding the vessel for maintenance and repairs.
The British, eager to capture Bannister once and for all, sent two British frigates, HMS Falcon and HMS Drake with a combined fifty-six cannon, to bring him to justice.
However, Bannister was not an ordinary pirate. Anticipating the attack, he had offloaded some of the cannons from the Golden Fleece and set up strategic shore batteries. This clever maneuvering allowed Bannister to hold his ground against the Royal Navy.
In an astonishing two-day battle in July 1686, Bannister and his crew managed to repel the British forces, an unprecedented feat for a pirate. The British, having exhausted their ammunition, were forced to retreat, leaving Bannister victorious.
The Scuttling of the Golden Fleece
Despite his triumph, the Golden Fleece was badly damaged in the battle and unable to sail. Realizing his predicament, Bannister made the difficult decision to scuttle his beloved ship.
He scuttled the Golden Fleece to prevent its capture and escaped Samaná on a smaller prize vessel he had previously captured. This daring escape further cemented his status as a cunning and resourceful pirate.
The End of Bannister’s Reign
Bannister’s pirating career was short-lived but legendary. In January 1687, the crew of the Drake captured Bannister on the Mosquito Coast, where he was living with the natives. He was transported back to Port Royal, Jamaica.
Fearing another escape, the new governor, Hender Molesworth, ordered Bannister to be hanged from the Drake’s yardarm without trial, before he even set foot off the boat.
The legacy of Captain Joseph Bannister and the Golden Fleece lived on, immortalized in the annals of pirate history. The tale of Bannister’s defiance and his epic battle against the Royal Navy became a symbol of pirate ingenuity and bravery.
Finding the Golden Fleece shipwreck
In early 2009, American shipwreck hunters John Chatterton and John Mattera discovered Joseph Bannister’s ship, the Golden Fleece, in Samaná Bay, Dominican Republic.
The story of the Golden Fleece is not just a tale of piracy; it is a testament to the audacity and resourcefulness of Captain Joseph Bannister. His ability to outmaneuver and outfight the Royal Navy in Bahia Samaná remains one of the most remarkable episodes in pirate history.
The Golden Fleece, though sunk and lost to the depths, continues to captivate the imaginations of those who revel in the legends of the high seas. As we reflect on Bannister’s daring exploits, we are reminded of the enduring allure of pirate tales and the indomitable spirit of those who dared to defy the odds.
Further reading
Pirate Hunters: Treasure, Obsession, and the Search for a Legendary Pirate Ship by Robert Kurson
SHIPWRECKS OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: WARSHIPS, SLAVE SHIPS & MORE ADVENTURES ON THE SILVER BANK by JOHN MATTERA
Treasure Galleon: The Last Secrets of Nuestra Señora de la Pura y Limpia Concepcion by JOHN MATTERA
SHIPWRECKS & TREASURE: THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF THE PIRATE HUNTERS by JOHN MATTERA
Related stories
The Top 20 rarest and most valuable U.S. coins
The story of the NSW Rum Corp, Holey Dollar and Dump coins
The intriguing tale of the 1933 Double Eagle gold coin
What are the world’s largest and famous gold nuggets?
Police Ephemera ° The value of Victorian reward posters
Advertisement:
