Eastern West Indies (1720–1731 CE): Piracy, Conflict,…
1720 CE to 1731 CE
Eastern West Indies (1720–1731 CE): Piracy, Conflict, and Agricultural Innovation
Pirate Menace and Naval Engagements
Between 1720 and 1731, piracy significantly disrupted maritime trade and colonial stability in the Eastern West Indies. In late February 1720, notorious pirate Bartholomew Roberts and his crew aboard the sloop Fortune allied temporarily with French pirate Montigny la Palisse, captain of the Sea King. However, this partnership quickly dissolved when confronted by two well-armed ships from Barbados, the Summerset and the Philipa, on February 26. The Sea King fled immediately, while the Fortune, severely damaged, escaped to Dominica for repairs, losing twenty crew members to injuries en route.
Additional patrols from Martinique intensified the pursuit, leading Roberts to swear revenge against both Barbados and Martinique. He adopted a new pirate flag symbolizing his threats: himself depicted standing atop two skulls labeled ABH (A Barbadian's Head) and AMH (A Martiniquian's Head). After repairs and careening at Carriacou Island, Roberts renamed his ship the Royal Fortune, initiating a legacy of vessels bearing this infamous name.
Piracy and Plunder Across the Region
Roberts boldly entered Basse Terra Road on St. Christopher’s (St. Kitts) with his fleet flying black flags, intimidating local ships into immediate surrender. Subsequently, Roberts and his crew found refuge in St. Bartholomew, where the French governor allowed them weeks of revelry and resupply.
Departing again on October 25, 1720, Roberts conducted aggressive raids near St. Lucia, capturing as many as fifteen French and British vessels within days. Among these was the Greyhound, whose chief mate, James Skyrme, defected to the pirates, later becoming captain of Roberts’ companion ship, the Ranger.
Confrontation with the Governor of Martinique
Roberts reputedly captured the governor of Martinique, de Hurault, by cunning deception—approaching his man-of-war under the guise of a French merchant ship before launching a surprise assault. Following a fierce battle, Roberts' crew boarded and seized the vessel, executing Governor de Hurault by hanging him from the yardarm of the Royal Fortune.
By 1721, Roberts' piracy had severely disrupted Caribbean maritime commerce, prompting his departure toward West Africa. His consort ship, commanded by Thomas Anstis, parted ways on April 18 to continue raids within the Caribbean.
Agricultural Innovation and Coffee Cultivation
Amidst these disturbances, significant agricultural progress occurred. In 1720, French naval officer Gabriel de Clieu introduced a coffee plant seedling from the Royal Botanical Gardens in Paris to Martinique, transplanting it successfully on the slopes of Mount Pelée. By 1726, the colony harvested its first coffee crop, marking the inception of an enduring agricultural enterprise that would significantly contribute to the region's economic diversification.
Conclusion
The era 1720–1731 in the Eastern West Indies was marked by rampant piracy, intense naval confrontations, and severe disruptions in regional trade. Yet, amidst these upheavals, innovations in agriculture—particularly coffee cultivation—began reshaping the economic landscape, setting the stage for future colonial prosperity and complexity.