Charles Vane

By Crusader1307

Born in 1680 (in England), Vane's career lasted from 1716 to 1719. He operated out of the abandoned Spanish Colonies of The Bahamas known as New Providence. The “colony” was a popular spot for Pirates, Brigands and related criminals. Vane had served in The Royal Navy during The War for Spanish Succession. Afterwards he crewed with Pirate Captain Henry Jennings (1716). Converging upon the site of a recent Spanish treasure fleet wreck (off Florida), Vane and others were able to recover around $100,000 (USD). Vane did not seek King George Is pardon, preferring to stay with a life of Piracy. He and his ship “The Lark”, worked with other unrepentant Pirates and made a success off of French shipping in the Bahamas region. Vane would eventually capture several British Sloops (both of which he called “Ranger”).

Vane now had 5 ships and along with Captain Woodes Rogers, began to work the Carolina Coasts. They even invited infamous Captain Edward “Blackbeard” Teach to join them (he declined). After an ill fated sortie with a French Frigate,Vane's crew disposed him as Captain. He and those who wished to leave with him were set afloat. Ending up shipwrecked, he and his survivors were found on a small isle near Honduras, by a fellow Captain (with which Vane had ill feelings with). He refused to take Vane on board (for fear of him inciting a mutiny). Leaving him a few supplies, he was left on the isle. Picked up by a British Warship and transported back to Port Royal (Jamaica), he was tried and executed after a full year's imprisonment. His corpse was gibbeted out in the harbor as a warning to other Pirates.