Captain Morgan

The question is not if Captain Morgan will be remembered, but how he will be remembered. I never got to meet the man, just hear the legend of him from my great grandfather who was just a child when Captain Morgan passed away. He heard all of the tales Captain Morgan embarked on from his grandfather, who was one of his closest friends. There are few unaware of Captain Morgan’s escapades on the island of Jamaica, but there are none that know his life quite like I, Andrew Modyford, do. Unfortunately, most just remember the man that was described as a blood thirty, ruthless pirate in the biography by Alexandre Exquemelin. Morgan was many things, but he was not blood thirsty. As a devout Anglican, murdering and raping was not something he felt was appropriate. There were of course rumors of such behavior, but such fabrication is expected to increase the novelty of his already famous persona. Morgan was in fact a kind hearted, spiritual man that few took the time to know. All who came across him wished only to hear of his stories and admire his success, not discover who the man was.
Morgan is most remembered for his victory in Panama in which he led over 2000 pirates on 36 ships across the treacherous oceans to Panama. Conquering the waters was nothing new for Morgan, but the 16 miles of jungle he marched through to defeat the 2000 waiting Spaniards was something of a new experience, a challenge he revered. This momentous event overshadows some of the more impressive accomplishments in his life, most notably his victory at Gibraltar. Morgan had arrived to Maracaibo to celebrate his largest bounty to date, 250,000 pieces of eight and 300 slaves at the port of Puerto Principe in Cuba. Morgan and his 400 men enjoyed their time in Gibraltar, furthering the influence of the British crown as instructed upon by his King, Charles II. However, upon his departure he encountered three Spanish War galleons under the command of Admiral Don Alonso Del Campo. Morgan was no match for the war galleons has they had superior fire power and were in a far more strategic location in the narrow Gibraltar Strait. Any plan of escaping such a fight was thwarted by a myriad of cannons and infantry well trenched on a nearby island. The Spanish thought they had the infamous Captain Morgan beat, that he was finally theirs. What will our hero do in such a situation? Alas, this is where our tale of heroism begins. This is where all those who doubt Morgan’s kindness and understanding. This is where the world discovers the real Captain Morgan.
Although, Morgan was known for his propensity to fight and plunder, his main motive was to spread the influence of the English Crown. This was not a fight he wished to engage in as there was no monetary nor territorial value in a victory so he gave the Spanish their first chance of surrender. The Spanish knew they had Morgan in an unforgiving situation and he had no way out, but to fight. The Spanish laughed in his face at such a proposal and began their celebrations. Morgan calmly accepted their foolish decision to not accept his past successes so he devised a plan that he thought would invoke enough fear that they may surrender to ensure the death count was limited. Morgan sent his men on various missions throughout the day to prepare for the inevitable battle. He asked his men to scour the island for pumpkins and wood. His men knew not to question an otherwise unusual request. The thirty men he sent to scour the island returned to find the lead ship was covered with nothing but pitch, tar, and brimstone. The men still knew not to question their Captain as he told them they had done enough and it was time to enjoy the night.
As nightfall approached, most of his men continued with their celebration, oblivious to the imposing threat. Those few sober enough to understand the dire situation cowered in fear as Morgan just grinned as the sun set, knowing this would be a day he would defend his title. Morgan gave his final orders that night to his sober allies to take all the gunpowder from three ships and load it onto the lead ship. As his men willingly obeyed his command, Morgan approached some of the drunkards and challenged them to a drinking contest. Morgan was renowned for his ability to hold his liquor, especially rum. After, another successful evening, he asked his men to give up their winnings. Morgan knew they had nothing to give so instead he asked for whatever they could spare even just some clothing. Morgan had no need for such rudimentary clothing, but they obeyed nonetheless. Morgan left his men to be to finish his dastardly plan. He made his final biddings to the ship as he placed the pumpkins and the clothing on the wooden crosses he had his men create earlier. Morgan let his dreams carry him to sleep as he knew the next day would be a success.
His men awoke to his orders to prepare for seizure of the ship. The men confused by Morgan’s singular use looked across the Strait to see their lead ship was on course to intersect with the three Spanish War Galleons. The men quickly began for battle in assumption the ship had been captured during the night. The men prepared quickly in anticipation the Spanish would ambush them at any moment. All such fears were conquered when Morgan boldly explained he wanted his men to stealthily swim over to the ships in preparation of commandeering the Spanish ship. The men were still confused, but followed the orders immediately nonetheless. As his men began their pursuit, the lead ship exploded, sinking the first Spanish War Galleon and another on fire. The Spanish scrambled to save the second ship, they left the third nearly vacant. Morgan and his men seized the opportunity to capture the third Spanish War Galleon.
Morgan had outsmarted the Spanish, but he did not want more lives to be taken, nor did he crave any acknowledgement for his victory. He was stern when he asked if the Spanish were willing to surrender yet. The stubborn Spanish laughed in his face and insulted his Anglican ideals. This was not a battle that the Spanish had come to lose so Morgan took his new ship and retreated to the island in preparation for another attack. Morgan did not return to his previous camp, forcing the Spanish to move their cannons in preparation of their next encounter. The Spanish thought they had beaten Morgan since their cannons now sat in their fort, they were so confident in Morgan’s blunder that they began their own celebration. Morgan saw his opportunity and moved his men back to their original camp to begin their escape. The Spanish had not adjusted their cannons according to Morgan’s recent move so Morgan and his men were able to sail right past the Spanish without any interference. The buccaneers, however, were not satisfied with fleeing as they wanted to ambush the Spanish. Morgan objected citing (something from the Bible). His men were always aware of his religious belief, but were surprised he would object to such actions considering how the Spanish disrespected Morgan. No one dared to argue with the wildly popular and obvious leader. It is said this moment after such an inspiring victory marked Morgan as the undisputed King of the buccaneers.
Morgan would go on to be knighted in 1673 after the English ended their war with the Spanish. For his loyalty and heroism under the English Crown, King Charles II bestowed upon him the title of Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica. With piracy growing to a close, Morgan forced all those who would not retire their lifestyle to be hung. There was not one challenger to Morgan’s law as Jamaica went on to thrive until his death 15 years later in 1688 at the age of 53.
Morgan was a great man and an even better drinker. He was proud of his Welsh heritage so at the age of 20 he joined Oliver Cromwell’s army to capture Hispaniola from Spain. This mission failed miserably, which led to his bitter hatred of the Spanish. The loss left the Royal Navy without much support in England so they instead turned to privateers. Morgan relished the opportunity and focused his attention on the defenseless island he came to love, Jamaica.