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The name Kidd will strike a chord with any Great Big Sea fan, as his song's been sung on The Hard And the Easy.
William Kidd was born around 1645, and grew up to find employment as an English Privateer. His exploits in the West Indies were so great, that he was called back to continue service in England. The King commisionned him to captain the Adventure Galley, a new ship equippied with 34 cannons, and 80 crew-members. His mission was to capture all the French ships, and be rid of Madagascar's pirates.
Kidd, apparently, was unhappy with his crew, so he fetched a gang of rogues in New-York. Upon arrival in Madagascar, the new crew abbandonned Kidd to join the opposing Pirates. The remaining pirates threatened Kidd with mutiny, unless he would attack any and all ships; True piracy. Kidd refused, however, and a fight surged between Kidd and his gunner. Kidd killed said gunner, and the crew abandonned all attempts of mutiny. Yet the murder changed Kidd gravely. Along India's Malabar coast, he now plundered all ships; the gunner's murder was now proven uneeded.
The Adventure Galley's holds were full when he turned his sails towards the Quedagh Merchant. And though the vessel's captain gave sign of surrender, he secretly prepared for battle.
As Kidd's ship approached, the Quedagh Merchant loosed a shot; but the shot missed due to ocean tides. The pirates immediatly drew both ships together with grappling hooks. Kidd succeeded. He now posessed a 400-tonne ship, one of the greatest pirate treasures of all time. Kidd now ordered his crew to New York, confident he could fool them into thinking the treasure was only from French and pirate vessels.
Wrong-o, Capitaine.
A great heap of the treasure belonged to the British East India Company, and Kidd was shipped back to England in chains, only to recieve a death-sentence.
Unfortunatly, the hangman's rope broke twice, and held only on the third try. His body was dipped in tar, and hung as a warning for piartes along the Thames River.
His original speech went something like this;
My name was Captain Kidd, when I sail'd, when I sail'd,
And so wickedly I did, God's laws I did forbid,
When I sail'd, when I sail'd.
I roam'd from sound to sound, and many a ship I found,
and then I sunk or burn'd, When I sail'd.
I murder'd William Moore, and laid him in his gore,
not many leagues from shore, when I sail'd.
Farewell to young and old, all jolly seamen bold,
you're welcome to my gold, for I must die, I must die.
Farewell to Lunnon town, the pretty girls all round,
no pardon can be found, and I must die, I must die.
Farewell, for I must die. Then to eternity, in hideous misery,
I must lie, I must lie.
