HMS Swallow, commanded by Captain Chaloner Ogle,…
February 1722 CE
HMS Swallow, commanded by Captain Chaloner Ogle, comes upon the three pirate ships—the Royal Fortune, the Ranger and the Little Ranger—careening at Cape Lopez on February 5.
The Swallow veers away to avoid a shoal, making the pirates think that she is a fleeing merchant ship.
The Ranger, commanded by James Skyrme, departs in pursuit.
Once out of earshot of the other pirates, the Swallow opens her gun ports and opens fire.
Ten pirates are killed and Skyrme has his leg taken off by a cannon ball, but refuses to leave the deck.
The Ranger is forced eventually to strike her colors and the surviving crew are captured.
The Swallow returns to Cape Lopez on February 10 and finds the Royal Fortune still here.
Roberts had captured the Neptune on the previous day, and many of his crew are drunk and unfit for duty just when he needs them most.
At first, the pirates think that the approaching ship is the Ranger returning, but a deserter from the Swallow recognizes her and informs Roberts while he is breakfasting with Captain Hill, the master of the Neptune.
As he usually does before action, he dresses himself in his finest clothes.
The pirates' plan is to sail past the Swallow, which means exposing themselves to one broadside.
Once past, they will have a good chance of escaping.
However, the helmsman fails to keep the Royal Fortune on the right course, and the Swallow is able to approach to deliver a second broadside.
Captain Roberts is killed by a grapeshot, which strikes him in the throat while he stands on the deck.
Before his body can be captured by Ogle, Roberts' wish to be buried at sea is fulfilled by his crew, who weigh his body down and throw it overboard after wrapping it in his ship's sail.
It is never found.
The battle continues for another two hours, until the Royal Fortune's mainmast falls and the pirates signal for quarter.
One member of the crew, John Philips, tries to reach the magazine with a lighted match to blow up the ship, but is prevented by two forced men.
Only three pirates, including Roberts, have been killed in the battle.