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From: "Brian Creed" <>
Subject: [TSL] What kind of vessel was a galley in early 18thC?
Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2007 17:27:39 +1200


Hello List,
In summer 1719 the pirate Edward England took several ships along the African coast south of the river Gambia.
Amongst them was " the Coward Galley, Captain Creed , of London, taken the 17th June, having 2 guns and 13 men on board, 4 of which turned Pyrates."
The ship was burned, no mention of the fate of those who didn't turn pirate. The word " galley " conjures up great banks of oars pulled by sweating slaves but the description doesn't seem to fit this. Can anyone enlighten me?
The quote, by the way, came from Defoe's General History of Pirates.
Thank you, Brian Creed, New Zealand


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