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In 1610, The "Pirate Admiral" Peter Easton established a fort at Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. The fort was built at, near or about where the Newfoundland customs house stands today. In 1611, a French squadron of warships entered Harbour Grace to fight Peter Easton and his pirate fleet.  The battle took place in the harbour behind the customs house. Photo by J. Crummey

In 1610 John Guy  founded a settlement at Cupid's, Conception Bay. However, there were already settlers in the region, most notably the "Pirate Admiral" Peter Easton and up to 5000 pirate sailors who served under him, at various times.

The "Pirate Admiral" Peter Easton plied Newfoundland waters (circa 1600-1620).When he first arrived in Newfoundland, in 1602, Peter Easton was a loyal English seaman and officer.

It was at this time that Easton turned to piracy, plying the North American eastern seaboard, from the Caribbean to Newfoundland and as far west as the Azores.

In 1610 Peter Easton established a fort at Harbour Grace and used Newfoundland as his base of operations until 1614.
 

Buried in this graveyard at Harbour Grace, Newfoundland,  are pirates who died in the bloody battle between the "Pirate Admiral" and the French Navy. Their graves are unmarked.  Photo by J. Crummey

In 1612, Peter Easton moved his base of operations to Ferryland, Newfoundland and settled in the "Great House" on "Fox Hill".

In 1612, Peter Easton The "Pirate Admiral" sought pardon from the English Crown. To this end, he sent three envoy's to the King's Court with these requests.  Easton was twice pardoned by the King of England, James I. Once in February and then again in November of 1612. However, he eventually retired to Villefranche, France.
 

In 1612, Easton with nine ships and five hundred men did 20, 400 pounds of damage as he plundered the Avalon. From 1612 until 1614, the "Pirate Admiral" ruled north eastern Newfoundland, raiding harbours and shipping and press ganging or "shang-haing" sailors for his private navy.

During one raid he captured 30 English, Portuguese and Jersey Island ships in St. John's harbour. In this same raid, The "Pirate Admiral" captured Sir Richard Whitbourne, the sheriff who had been dispatched from England to arrest him and bring justice to Newfoundland.

In 1614, The "Pirate Admiral" intercepted the Spanish Plate Fleet on the high seas. He captured three treasure ships and divided the immense fortune among his crew.
 
 

Once settled in France, the  "Pirate Admiral" became the "Master of Ordinance" for the Duke of Savoy. Eventually he married a woman of noble birth and went on to acquire the title of "Marquis of Savoy".
 
 

 
 
 
 
 

TERRA  NOVA GREENS

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