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In 1602 John Ward was jailed for plundering a
Danish ship in the Caribbean. Then in 1603, Ward was forced into the Royal
Navy, which by some was considered to be a fate worse than death. Shortly
afterward, he and 30 others deserted at Plymouth and stole a small bark.
Despite the size of the ship, they were able to capture a two larger ships,
one with six guns, and set sail for the Mediterranean. Two years later he
stole a 32-gun warship and renamed it the Gift and used it to plunder
several merchantmen loaded with spices and silks.
In 1605 in Morocco, several English and Dutch sailors joined his crew,
including Richard Bishop and Anthony Johnson. By the end of 1606, Ward had
worked a deal with Uthman Dey, the ruler of Tunis. He was permitted to use
Tunis as a safe haven from where he could strike out in hunt for prey. In
return, Uthman Dey would buy their booty for a fifth of its true value. From
their base, they took several rich prizes, including a 60 ton ship loaded
with a tremendously valuable cargo.
The winter of 1607 Ward's largest ship became unseaworthy so he secretly
deserted with a few of his crew, sailing off in a French ship. The large
ship sank off Greece drowning 250 muslim and 150 English sailors aboard. The
Tunisians were outraged over the loss of men and Ward's desertion, but
Uthman Dey, wealthy from his dealings with Ward, offered him protection.
Ward however offered King James I a large bribe in exchange for a pardon.
King James refused Ward's offer and Ward was forced to return to Tunis.
Uthman Dey kept his word, however, and Ward was safe. Ward eventually became
a muslim and changed his name to Yusuf Reis. As Yusuf Reis, he continued his
career in piracy until 1622, up until the age of 70. By then he had both an
Italian wife and also a wife in England.
He lived out the rest of his life in luxury and may have died of the
plague. |
