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Bowen was born in Bermuda. Bowen moved to South
Carolina. He became captain of a ship trading in the West Indies.
Eventually he was captured by French pirates, who crossed the Atlantic,
pillaged along the African coast and wrecked their ship on Madagascar's
southwestern coast.
About 18 months later Bowen and the other
survivors were picked up by a passing ship commanded by Captain Read.
The pirates took a larger Arab ship in the Persian Gulf. Around this
time Bowen enlisted with the pirates and was elected sailing master.
Bowen returned to western Madagascar and began sailing in consort with
George Booth.
April of 1700 the two crews captured the Speaker, a strong 50-gun
slave ship. More than 200 pirates sailed to Zanzibar with George Booth
as captain. Bowen took command at the end of 1700. Near the mouth of the
Red Sea, Captain Bowen captured an Indian vessel with £100,000 in booty.
November 1701, a British ship which they sold on the Indian coast.
Returning to Madagascar, Bowen's ship was wrecked on Mauritius Island
but he saved most of the men and treasure. In return for large bribes,
the Dutch governor warmly welcomed the pirates and allowed them to buy a
ship.
April 1702, Captain Bowen went back to Madagascar and set up camp on
the eastern coast. Some time after, the pirates seized the Speedy
Return, which had stopped to buy slaves. After cruising alone with
little success, Captain Bowen joined Captain Thomas Howard. The two
captains seized a rich British Merchant in March 1703. After separating
for a time, Captain Bowen and Captain Howard joined forces again. In
August 1703 they captured two Indian vessels and £70,000 in the Red Sea.
The pirates divided their plunder at Rajapura, India. Some stayed with
Captain Howard on the Indian coast.
Captain Bowen and 40 crewmen retired on Mauritius, where he died of
disease about six months later. |
