Pirate Trials: Dastardly Deeds & Last Words

by Ken Rossignol, F.C. Yohn

Some of the most bloodthirsty pirates in the world were brought to justice and held over for trial in Scotland, England and the United States . These trials detail their dastardly deeds with startling testimony of those who were there and lived to be able to testify in person. What happened to the Jane of Gibraltar?
Learn how pirates repainted a ship at sea, killed the captain and cook and set a fire in the hold with the rest of the crew to suffocate, all for the purpose of taking over the ship and a valuable cargo of silver dollars and gold.
Pirates plundered other ships on the high seas while on the brig Crawford a cunning act of piracy was perpetrated by a veteran pirate leader. He slit his own throat to escape justice while three Spaniards he recruited stood trial with the esteemed Chief Justice John Marshall presiding over the federal court in Richmond, Virginia in 1827, a rare trial. Follow the action in a blow-by blow description of the murder and mayhem right into the courtroom.
Over 50,000 people attended one execution of pirates in England making one wonder if anyone was fortunate enough to have the fish and chips concession that day! There are no magic scenes out of sparkling Caribbean waters with Captain Jack Sparrow dueling with a devil, but the genuine evil related in these authentic pirate trials will certainly make your timbers shiver!

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Historical, True Crime, Pirates

230 pages, ebook

First published November 27, 2012

About the author

Writing in true crime, maritime history and cruise thrillers occupies most of Ken Rossignol's time.
As a maritime history speaker, Rossignol enjoys meeting audiences around the world and discussing the original news stories of the sinking of the RMS Titanic and other maritime history topics.
In recent years Rossignol has appeared on dozens of ships in the Pacific, Atlantic, Mediterranean and Caribbean discussing the stories of the heroes of the Titanic, the explorations of the new world voyagers, the Bermuda Triangle and the history of piracy.
Rossignol appears at the Titanic Museum Attractions in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Branson, Missouri for book signings and to talk with visitors about the RMS Titanic.
He has appeared on Good Morning America, ABC 20/20; ABC World News Tonight and in a 2012 production of Discovery Channel Investigation Motives & Murders Series, A Body in the Bay.
News coverage of Rossignol’s landmark civil rights case, represented by Levine Sullivan Koch & Schulz re: United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Rossignol v Voorhaar, 2003, included articles in most major news outlets, as well as a column by syndicated columnists James J. Kilpatrick.
The story of the St. Mary's Today newspaper is now available in ebook and paperback: The Story of THE RAG! The book includes nearly 200 editorial cartoons that appeared over the years.
A strong highway safety advocate, Rossignol also publishes the DWIHitParade.com which focuses on impaired driving and the monthly publication, The Chesapeake.
News coverage of Rossignol’s DWIHitParade won an Emmy in 2012 for WJLA reporter Jay Korff and coverage of the St. Mary’s Today newspaper by WUSA reporter Bruce Leshan was awarded an Emmy in 2000.

Reviews

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Some of the most bloodthirsty pirates in the world were brought to justice and held over for trial in Scotland, England and the United States . These trials detail their dastardly deeds with startling testimony of those who were there and lived to be able to testify in person. What happened to the Jane of Gibraltar?
Learn how pirates repainted a ship at sea, killed the captain and cook and set a fire in the hold with the rest of the crew to suffocate, all for the purpose of taking over the ship and a valuable cargo of silver dollars and gold.

Over 50,000 people attended one execution of pirates in England making one wonder if anyone was fortunate enough to have the fish and chips concession that day! There are no magic scenes out of sparkling Caribbean waters with Captain Jack Sparrow dueling with a devil, but the genuine evil related in these authentic pirate trials will certainly make your timbers shiver!"



I am just finished PIRATE TRIALS- and just amazing!!
Ken Rossignol does not simply provide information about these most remarkable events and times, he writes in such a perceptive manner - that the reader truly feels a part of the events...like I am a specatator to history...brilliant writing by a master historic writer!!

Each trial is peopled with true characters, so finely captured by Mr. Rossignol. It is so easy to portay a "pirate" as a simple cliche, yet thanks to the razor sharp character building skills of the writer..each person betrayed becomes a real person (they really were!) one who the reader can truly understand...if not root for!

This is how historical books should be,,,not dull academic tomes..but thrilling and brilliantly detailed accounts that pop off the page right into the reader's mind...very highly recommended!

A JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB

[Jennifer Ellision · Rating 3 out of 5]

The majority of this was super dry with just a couple of interesting tidbits here and there (longest slog: a transcript of a trial with a very convoluted piracy con) BUT this was worth reading for the last trial. Freaking fascinating example of piracy with bonus fascinating background on the man who hatched the plot.

[Linda Buzard-Moffitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of pirate trials that has lots of details and background information. This book is sure to be a favorite of those that have interests in real life piracy and how their trials were handled.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This first book of four is definitely for hardcore non-fiction lovers. The stories about these pirates were not written to entertain but to reveal the depth of their crimes, the justice that prevailed and lessons to be learned. I loved finding buried in the detailed accounts testimonies to the reality of Truth and the unshakeable standard of right and wrong. Prayer and recognition of God were part of the fabric of life when these trials took place. Judge and criminal alike acknowledged that there was a Person to whom all are accountable.

The first chapter contains a poem written by one of the convicted criminals. It so caught my attention that I had to keep reading to see what other reflections on ultimate reality these pirates made when they came face to face with the consequences of their choices.

"Oh pitying reader lend an ear, unto our lament;
It will make tears of sorrow fast, from every eye to vent.
In Edinburgh Jail's dismal cell, in heavy irons we lie,
the awful thoughts that we do feel, makes us afraid to die.
Unhappy men, been well for us, that we had never been born,
we might have escaped a shameful death,
we too our Captain's life away, the poor steersman's life likewise.
Their bloody forms are forever straight before our eyes.
Their corpses we did heave overboard before life was extinct;
Hark! Is not the dying moan that made our flesh to shrink.
Oh why did we to Satan listen, why not our minds control,
What good can dollars do to us, alas! We've lost our souls.
Our wives and children we must leave, on the wide world to roam;
and ever stranger passing by, will say there's a murderer's son.
May God on high our prayers receive, and take mercy on our souls;
And when we on the Gallows hand, may you take warning all."

On the day of execution, on the platform where the author of the poem was to be hung, minutes from entering into eternity, he was allowed to speak. "He cautioned all who heard him to take a warning from the melancholy situation to which his crimes had reduced him, to abstain from bad company, his associating with whom, and disregarding the principles and precepts of our holy religion, had been the means of bringing him to his untimely end. "

Another trial began this way. "Trial of the Pirates...all late of Boston in the aforesaid District of Massachusetts, not having the fear of God before their eyes, but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the Devil, on the fourth of July, …." This was a time when crimes were called sins and a known affront to God. In another trial the pirate states while in the midst of another crime, "This is the just Judgment of God upon us, for the wickedness committed in our last voyage and I am afraid it will still pursue us further..."

The last trial was of interest because it dealt with Cubans who were on trial and were convicted by the account of one eye-witness. They couldn't readily defend themselves since they did not speak English and pleaded for time to call character witnesses from their country. The judge would not delay the proceedings longer (he had given a one month extension). I found myself unconsciously siding with the foreigners, fearing that they might not have a fair trial. They all pleaded not-guilty. The prosecution stated that heavier evidence is needed than just character witnesses, "but because they are Spaniards, who, with us at least, have acquired the reputation of being in the highest degree ferocious, and reckless of human life." Our modern ears sting at what sounds like prejudice. In the end they were all sentenced to death. Was this a mistake and miscarriage of justice, I wondered?

But then more facts came out. In a time where communication was severely limited I was amazed at what the lawyers were able to discover. The three foreigners had been invited by one wicked man, Tardy, to kill, steal and lie for the sake of gold. They readily accepted the invitation. Tardy, the instigator, even fooled the eye-witness, as he constantly assured his well-being, saying that he would stand between him and the three Cubans. But we discover that it was Tardy who called the shots. The tale unfolded to reveal the depths of depravity to which Tardy had fallen. But he had to start somewhere. This revealing title, "Stealing a Pocket Watch Gave Tardy His Start in Piracy, " about said it all. This began his journey. He spent 3 years in prison paying for that pilfering, but rather than learning from it he came out seething with hatred against Americans (I assumed he must have been English or French, I never was certain) and sought revenge. He went on to poison a whole crew and frame a black cook, (who was later sentenced to death), to slit throats, to steal ships and to loot. What a wasted life. A pirate of the worst sort. And surprisingly all three Cubans admitted their guilt soon after their sentence. This showed me how important it is that the law not be swayed by emotions but to carefully weigh the facts and evidence.

I will probably read the other three books later because I appreciated how Ken Rossignol presented these accounts and made it readable.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crimes change, laws adapt, sentencing changes, executions change, criminals are as clueless as ever. Excellent teaching tool for law, law enforcement, historians, novelists, and those who think Hollywood is real. Rossignol has done all of the hard work of digging into trial records and depictions of the executions and the large to enormous size of the audiences attending this form of entertainment. Well written and attention grabbing.

Production caveat: God only knows what went wrong here, but the speed and fluidity ate reminiscent of battery decline in an audiotape player. For note taking use 1.25x speed, for listening enjoyment use at least 1.5x speed. There will still be a few rate irregularities, but they won't detract from your enjoyment.

Chekijian performs this work well, like always. You can generally count on never having to backtrack for notetaking when he performs a scholarly work. It helps that his voice is pleasant, flowing, and clearly enunciated.

This book was a gift.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a retired police officer I really enjoyed reading this book. Ken did a great deal of research into the trials he cites in his book and often presents the trial as it actually unfolded. It provides a very interesting and revealing insight into how the courts at that time operated, versus what we are familiar with today while making me feel as if I was sitting in the court room back then. The speed and method in which the capitol punishment was carried out and the actual words the pirates spoke before it was executed is amazing to people of our age. In fact the book could be an excellent platform to become mandatory reading the all students in law school AND their liberal professors as to how our law system used to function. This was a very enjoyable and mind expanding read and I hardly recommend it to one and all!

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this audio book in exchange for a honest and unbiased review. Pirate Trials is about actual pirates on trial. It takes us to the court room and we hear the trial happening (simulation). The year is 1827. The place is Richmond, Virginia and many pirates have been caught and are on trial for murder and mayhem.

The author, Kenneth Rossignol did a fantastic job writing this audio book. This is a great idea and I found it interesting to listen to all the antics that happen at a trial. This is a very unique book. The narrator, Jack Chekijian delivers a flawless and entertaining view of the trial. He uses many different voices and accents to portray all the characters called up to testify. This is a a really interesting book!

[george burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trials and Filler

The author had the excellent idea of providing actual piracy trials to give readers a taste of what piracy was really like. The execution of his design is credible, but could have been a good deal better. The longest case is Jemott which involves ships and the sea, but is fraud case. He also includes severely abridged versions of two well-known Scottish cases: Heamon and Green. Finally, there two excellent choices: Holmes and Crawford. These are both nineteenth American piracies which should sate any piracy reader's taste for bloodletting. In all, a worthwhile collection.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of the Pirate Trials by Ken Rossignol. I loved how this book gives a clear and accurate description of who pirates are and what they do. I felt as though the author did a great job describing them and the history. The book is very factual and I couldn't believe how evil that these pirates really are! I'm used to seeing the Hollywood version of pirates, so it was really interesting to get some clear facts on some of the evil deeds that these pirates have committed. Over 50,000 people came to see one execution of a pirate! That is remarkable. I can't wait to read more from this author.

[Teressa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the Audible version.


"Pirate Trials: Dastardly Deeds & Last Words Review"

I really enjoyed listening to this one. I love listening to the pirate trials. Some savory characters indeed.

As always, Jack Chekijian did a wonderful job narrating this book. He's one of the best as well as one of my favorites.

Audiobook received for an honest review.

[Andrew Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. This is part of history not taught in schools, at least when I was in school, but probably should be. It made changes to how we live today as a result. Ken's history related books are great reading material because they make you feel like you are right there witnessing what is going on at the time through his very vivid descriptions.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection court proceedings concerning pirates on trial. Reading official court documents can be a bit trying, and these are historical in nature. Plus some are from other countries, so that adds to the difficulty. But kind of interesting reading

[Mark Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A somewhat interesting read but not a novel as much as a reporting of the judicial process against those engaged in piracy. Nonetheless, it was a "rude awakening" of how evil some men could be. This book also shows that the lawyers of days gone by were as formidable and efficient as those of today. The last segment (that involving Tardy) I found to be very interesting - how the plot was carried out and the deliberate violence which came with it. Not a book to be read by anyone who is "squeamish".

[Cidney · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay, a bit long winded but then they were in the early 1800s I imagine, they all sounded as if they spoke straight from a Charles Dickens novel, although he was later than that I think. However this book took several trials of dreadful misdeeds by pirates on the high seas and pronounced them guilty and handed out the appropriate punishment. Which was always death. I did get a little bored going further in and didn't read the last couple of trials, they were all pretty much the same really, but it was an interesting book, albeit wordy.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly interesting, although there were some odd little spelling errors that crept in.

[Bettye McKee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is exactly what it claims to be: Pirate Trials. The majority of the book is ponderous court proceedings. In equally ponderous language, the prisoners and witnesses describe the events that led to the charges, so there is some "pirate adventure" involved.

While I have no wish to be a "book killer," my rating of two stars reflects my opinion that "it was ok" but difficult to read. There were some errors, possibly stemming from the transition to ebook, such as "seen" for "been" or "mouth" for "month."

I can recommend this book to die-hard fans of pirate doings. You'll find some actual pirate doings in "Pirate Trials: Dastardly Deeds and Last Words."

[Ian Hallam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty hard going in places due to the transcripts from 1800's pirate trials in America, also the book has not been proof read after being transposed to the kindle edition as theer are numerous spelling and grammatical mistakes throughout the book.

[Rex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly not in my taste. But as far as I know the Kindle is free so give it a try

Detailed review http://www.readingghost.blogspot.dk/2...

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

What you see is what you get with this book. It largely consists of transcripts from trial involving piracy. Some are far more interesting reading than others.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Locations/Settings: [England, Atlantic Ocean, East Coast Americas]