Morgan had gotten treasure from all over the world. With his 36 ships, and nearly 2,000 buccaneers under his command he had obtained 50,000 pieces of eight from Puerto Principe, Cuba; 50,000 English pounds from Marcaibo, and 100,000 English pounds from Panama. (Henry Morgan)
In what is considered to be his greatest adventures, Morgan led an expedition of 8 ships and 650 buccaneers to attach the Venezuelan city of Marcaibo. (Crew) When Morgan arrived at Marcaibo, three huge Spanish vessels awaited him outside the channel. Morgan offered the Spanish the offer of surrender, but the Spaniards just laughed in return. Morgan decided to teach them a lesson they would never forget. He had his lead ship (covered with pitch, tar, and brimstone) loaded with kegs of gun powder, and full of dummies made to look like buccaneers, go towards the Spanish. While the Spanish were still laughing, the vessel exploded taking out two of the ships. The third ship was easily captured by the pirates. ("Sir Henry Morgan”) Morgan offered the Spanish the option to surrender, but they refused again. After this, Morgan tricked the Spanish into thinking he was making a land attack. The Spaniards moved there cannons into firing position, but by the time they realized they had been tricked, Morgan had already safely passed by the fort. After this battle, Henry Morgan was known as the King of Buccaneers. ("Henry Morgan”)
In January 1670, organ set sail for panama for his biggest venture ever. ("Sir Henry Morgan”) He led his crew of 2,000 men on a 16 day journey through the jungle. When he arrived Morgan defeated the Spanish and obtained 100,000 English pounds. ("Henry Morgan”) Unfortunately, England was not at war with Spain at the time, and Morgan was thrown into the dungeons to stand trial as a pirate. ("Sir Henry Morgan”)
It was then that Morgan came into contact with King Charles II. When he learned of Morgan’s expeditions and good deeds, he knighted him and made him the governor of Jamaica. (Crew)
On August 25, 1688, Sir Henry Morgan died of what most people believed to be liver failure. It was most probably because of his excessive drinking as a pirate. (Henry Morgan) Still today, Henry Morgan is considered to be the “King of all pirates”. (Sir Henry Morgan)
I personally think Henry Morgan is a genius, and a great pirate. If I lived in his time, there would be no doubt that I would join his crew. I pretty much think his nickname says everything about him. I was just speechless after I read the story about Marcaibo. So, here’s to you, “The King of all Pirates”.
