Pirate Madagascar
- Thread starter Tynnin
- Start date
1813
General: the Steam blast engine and the Stirling engine are invented – great advancements in the area of locomotion.
Finland-Russia War: the same coalition which brought war to Russia now forced Finland to deal with their enemy. A long year of negotiations and stagnant military campaigns brought about the Treaty of Moscow. The Oath of Loyalty is given by the Estates and King Gustav I is crowned.
Norway – Sweden War: royalists in Norway, unhappy with their attempt to gain complete independence from Sweden in the Treaty of Moscow, declare their independence and commit to war with Sweden. Denmark joins on the side of Norway two months into the war. Sweden fails to gain support from Prussia or Poland-Lithuania.
Russo-Ottoman War: Austria joins the war against the Ottomans. A month later Venice also comes in on Russia’s side – however, six months later Venice becomes distracted by the Serbian Revolt.
Venice: war with Ottomans. Serbian Revolt.
Empire of Orleans: First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte establishes the Ritter Expedition – an exploratory and mapping mission which was to give Napoleon a clear look at his new empire.
Spain: large sums of money and soldiers are used in maintaining the slippery grasp of their overseas empire. Serious talks are held on the future of Spain’s Grand Empire.
Ottoman: despite the love his people had for him and the respect of his advisors Mahmud II was under increasing pressure and fear of military revolt against him due to failing to bring Egypt back into the fold and little progress made against the Russians. With Austria and Venice now against him, he begins negotiations for a truce in order to deal with adversaries moving against him at home.
Ethiopia: King Iyasu III moves thousands of troops to the southern provinces – although not yet in revolt, unrest was high and several clashes with local garrisons have already occurred.
Lundanese Wars: Rheede’s Rebels continue to harass the Lundanese. English victories along the northern frontier push in close to the Lundanese heartland.
The United Republics: King Adams faces a rancorous Senate over the issue of how to incorporate the new Canadian territories into the Republics – more baronies or more states. Late in the year the Fur Trader War erupts.
January 1813:
King Boabuana, who never really liked interacting so much with the pirates, steps down as the official member of the Council of Captains. He appoints his long time friend Roxrepreanna – the nomination is confirmed by Admiral Bonny’s governor, and about a month later officially by the Admiral himself.
King Boabuana’s main reason in stepping down from the Council of Captains was to deal with the border issues with Iharana (1).
February 1813:
There are a series of raids in and around Iharana.
March – April 1813:
Little of interest.
May 1813:
Nearly 100 Iharana pirates and 250 Betsimisaraka warriors clash near Ader’s River in northern Betsimisarakaia – the clash is a victory for King Boabuana (75 Iharana’s were killed to the 25 “Bet” warriors).
The Queen Mary (Thomas and Grace Kelly aboard), extort tribute from the northern homesteaders harvesting coffee, cocoa, and tobacco.
June 1813:
After several months of not hearing from his daughter Abigail, Oliver Bonny pays a visit to the young couple. He writes about the state in which he finds his daughter - “The drunkard has beaten her! Upon my arrival he was not to be seen, but when my dear Abigail opened the door to their tiny house I was nearly knocked over by the sight of her. Blackeyed, dirty, an arm in a sling – she tried, and failed, to get me to leave, but I would have none of it. I took her by the arm and whisked her away to my carriage.”
Oliver’s rescue of his daughter would have little immediate affect on the issue. James Norbert arrived two days later at the Bonny mansion demanding the return of his wife. When Oliver would not allow it, Norbert shot at Oliver, missing him. Had Christopher Bonny been at home, or even in port, James Norbert would have been a dead man. Oliver had Norbert subdued and brought before the city council (2). The trial that took place over the next few days excited Port Mission – as a Bonny story always did. In the end however, despite Oliver’s money and influence, and the influence of Robert Devereaux (Oliver’s son-in-law on the council) it was decided that: 1)Oliver had stolen Norbert’s wife, which he had paid for; 2) Since Abigail refused to leave her husband, or speak against him, and that the issue was more between them, that the matter would be dropped. However, warning was given to Norbert to better take care of his affairs.
July 1813:
Oliver begins receiving regular letters from his daughter Abigail – they are saturated with nothing but happy tidings and how good things are with James.
August – September 1813:
Ships bearing the insignia of Captain Hayreddin Hizir arrive in Port Mission (as well as in Iharana, and other towns in the northern regions). A fresh wave of violence spreads out from each of these landings – harassed shop keepers, broken arms, broken windows, superficial wounds; each incident abating once the victims had paid out for their protection. In every case the Hizir pirates had come and gone before Foremen could arrive.
In late September Admiral Bonny’s Foremen forcibly discourage a mob outside Mission House when a second round of “persuasion” by Hizir pirates swept over Port Mission (this on top of the money paid to the Admiral who was the defacto protector of Port Mission).
The Admiral finds that there were now many in Port Mission who were no longer paying him protection money, but were instead paying it to Hizir (there were now many Hizir pirates and loyalists working as Foremen to protect his interest in Port Mission).
October 1813:
At the bi-yearly meeting of the Council of Captains Admiral Bonny makes it known that ships loyal to Captain Hizir would no longer welcomed. Despite questioning this move – Hizir had not bothered anyone south of Port Mission after all – the edict was carried with the full support of Iharana.
At this meeting Robert Devereaux was introduced as the new Council member for Fort Dauphin – Admiral Bonny openly welcomed his nephew-in-law.
November 1813:
Fort Dauphin, Jamestown, and Morondava hold a smaller version of the Grand Games featuring a series of matches between Broadside and Lacrosse teams.
December 1813:
Little of interest.
1814:
Norway – Sweden War: the year long war is nearly an utter disaster for Norway – although Denmark fairs well on the seas, devastating the Swedish navy at The Battle of Oslo. By November a truce is called and by December Charles Fredrick, the leader of the Norwegian Royalists – and would be king – is exiled as part of the treaty with Sweden. Norway once again enters into a union with Denmark (prior to The Great Northern Wars it was in a union with Denmark).
Russo-Ottoman War: continues.
Venice: war with Ottomans. Serbian Revolt.
Lundanese Wars: Rheede’s Rebels continue to harass the Lundanese. English victories along the northern frontier push ever closer to the Lundanese heartland. The Lundanese are dealt a major defeat at the hands of the English at the Battle of Capetown. The Lundanese seek a truce.
England: takes Capetown from the Lundanese – the subsequent refusal to restore the port to the Dutch ignites a war with the Netherlands. In an attempt to win support from the locals, Rheede and his rebels are allowed back to their homes (more or less ending what many call the First Boer War – as Rheede and his farmers had done most of the fighting against the Lundanese).
English-Dutch War: Beings with the failure of England to return Capetown.
Zululand: further complicating the Dutch, English, Lundanese conflict is the rise of a warrior known as Shaka. During this year he launches several campaigns against local rivals, pirates, Ethiopia, Lunda, the Dutch and the English.
The United Republics: the Fur Trader War.
January 1814:
Little of interest.
February 1814:
Two ships with Captain Hizir flags approach Port Mission but keep their distance and readily get away when Bonny orders his own ships into open water.
March – April 1814:
Little of interest.
May 1814:
Admiral Bonny notes that several Port Mission regulars had gone missing (ships out to sea having not returned, captains and crew members on shore suddenly going missing). He further notes that perhaps not coincidentally that most of the disappearances were those with direct loyalty to him.
The Queen Mary returns north on what has become its annual mission to harass anyone daring to harvest nonsactioned Kelly crops. However, this time they were met with stiff resistance – ships out of Kaominina engaged and, after a short encounter, chased off the Queen Mary (3).
June 1814:
At the insistence of Bonny’s governor in Jamestown the Admiral invites Thomas Kelly as well as David Lima (the C.C. member from Kaominina). Although not invited by the Admiral, Vicar Segal arrives in Port Mission – invited by Thomas.
In short it was decided that the Kelly’s needed to stop harassing the northern regions. Any further act of aggression against the farmers would bring down the full power of the Admiral on Jamestown. Thomas was well aware of Samuel’s list of loyalties and the favors he could call in (4). Facing off against the Admiral at this time would more or less plunge Madagascar into a second civil war. Thomas neither agrees nor disagrees with the edict, merely stating (at the advice of the Vicar) that he would bring this before the Council of Captains.
After Thomas and the Vicar departed Admiral Bonny informs Lima that the farmers would pay for their protection or else he would unleash the Kellies.
July – August 1814:
The Thorn (Captain James Norbert) is sunk. On August the 29th a long boat with 6 men, James Norbert among them, washes ashore near Fort Dauphin (5).
September 1814:
Both James Norbert and Abigail leave Fort Dauphin. Oliver searches for them, but is unable to find them. Oliver even writes his brother – a rare communication between the two of them – for help in finding Abigail.
News reaches Admiral Bonny that Capetown has fallen to the English and that England and the Dutch were now at war (6).
October 1814:
Admiral Bonny invites the teams from Morondava, Jamestown, and Fort Dauphin to Port Mission for the second annual match between the cities.
During the bi-yearly meeting of the Council of Captains, Patrick Kirkland steps down as the Council member from Iharana – a man by the name of Devon Kane is appointed the open seat (7).
Thomas Kelly brings his grievance against the farmers around Kaominina to the Council of Captains. Despite Vicar Segal arguing in favor of the Kellys (although not condoning the Kelly’s actions) the Council is split (with Morondava and Toamasina abstaining; Kaominina and Iharana siding against Thomas; and Manakara and Fort Dauphin siding with Thomas). The Admiral cast the deciding vote – Thomas was left with the same choice: defy the decision and take Madagascar into civil war, or let the issue drop.
Ships flying the Kelly colors attack Kaominina during an early morning raid on the 30th – it is a bloody attack which killed 37 people.
November 1814:
Jamestown is attacked – the offshore bombardment does more damage than deaths, and the four ships move off before a proper chase can hunt them down.
The people and pirates of Kaominina wake to find two of their city council members dead – murdered in their beds.
December 1814:
Admiral Bonny calls a meeting between the Kaominina city council and the Kellys. Thomas denies the attacks on Kaominina, but vows not to step down from a fight.
Notes:
1) Roxrepreanna: was nearly as ill-suited for the job of dealing with the pirates as Boabuana had been. Roxrepreanna had in fact been a warrior under King Tahanka, and Boabuana personal trainer. At this time Roxrepreanna was lame footed and hadn’t used a spear for combat in about 10 years. He was, however, a great story teller, and it is in this regard that Boabuana used his old friend. Roxrepreanna was put in place to distract and interfere with the Admiral and the Admiral’s governors so Boabuana could deal more directly with Iharana.
2) Oliver Bonny: considered himself to be a civilized man. A man of brains, not of brawn. He spoke English, French, Latin, and Spanish. He believed in reason above all else – and yes, he was a pirate, for he would have sold his daughter (which he did) if the deal was right. He was not a man to be crossed, because he could be as equally cruel as he was civilized. He did, however, believe that you can’t get money from a dead man. So he brought James Norbert before the city council sure that he was right and that they would agree.
3) Queen Mary: oddly there is almost no mention of the incident in May of 1814 – or if there was, there is no surviving commentary. We know the event was significant in some way because it was after this battle that the ship was renamed Grace. We know Grace Kelly was liked by the crew, and that she had proven herself in earlier adventures, but it is a matter of great speculation as to what transpired to merit such a reward.
4) Kelly spies: although not as extensive as they once were, the Kelly’s still had one of the best informant networks on the island (some have said one of the best in the world, next to the royal court in Venice).
5) Norbert long ship: this is a rather interesting story – it becomes, much later, a basis for a blockbuster movie. The Thorn is attacked and sunk by a fellow pirate ship. Captain Norbert and nine others manage to escape to a long boat during the curse of the battle. They had on hand a small barrel of water to sustain them. Captain Norbert killed the first man during the first night – the body was stripped, the clothing used to shield those who remained from the sun. Over the course of the next two days of drifting, and hand paddling, Norbert managed to communicate to Harry Longcannon (because he trusted this man or because Longcannon simply happen to be the nearest man) through looks and tapping who was to be killed next. On day four Longcannon and Norbert struck, killing two others and dumping overboard everyone else. Each man was welcomed back aboard the long boat once a renewed oath of loyalty was given. Of the two men killed, they were stripped, and dismembered – their limbs used as oars. Several days later the boat was able to make it back to land near Fort Dauphin.
6) Kelly’s knew about the war: by the time Samuel Bonny found out about the war between the English and the Dutch, the Kelly were already aware of the Lundanese defeat and had stepped up trading food to the battered army and guns to Rheede to finish pushing the Lundanese north.
7) Devon Kane: hardly anyone knew of this man before he became the new representative on the Council of Captains for Iharana. He is recorded as being the captain of the Prince, although, by all accounts he had only been captain for a few months. Prior to this he seems to have been a ranking pirate aboard the Hadeed Bahr – a ship loyal to Captain Hizir.
General: the Steam blast engine and the Stirling engine are invented – great advancements in the area of locomotion.
Finland-Russia War: the same coalition which brought war to Russia now forced Finland to deal with their enemy. A long year of negotiations and stagnant military campaigns brought about the Treaty of Moscow. The Oath of Loyalty is given by the Estates and King Gustav I is crowned.
Norway – Sweden War: royalists in Norway, unhappy with their attempt to gain complete independence from Sweden in the Treaty of Moscow, declare their independence and commit to war with Sweden. Denmark joins on the side of Norway two months into the war. Sweden fails to gain support from Prussia or Poland-Lithuania.
Russo-Ottoman War: Austria joins the war against the Ottomans. A month later Venice also comes in on Russia’s side – however, six months later Venice becomes distracted by the Serbian Revolt.
Venice: war with Ottomans. Serbian Revolt.
Empire of Orleans: First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte establishes the Ritter Expedition – an exploratory and mapping mission which was to give Napoleon a clear look at his new empire.
Spain: large sums of money and soldiers are used in maintaining the slippery grasp of their overseas empire. Serious talks are held on the future of Spain’s Grand Empire.
Ottoman: despite the love his people had for him and the respect of his advisors Mahmud II was under increasing pressure and fear of military revolt against him due to failing to bring Egypt back into the fold and little progress made against the Russians. With Austria and Venice now against him, he begins negotiations for a truce in order to deal with adversaries moving against him at home.
Ethiopia: King Iyasu III moves thousands of troops to the southern provinces – although not yet in revolt, unrest was high and several clashes with local garrisons have already occurred.
Lundanese Wars: Rheede’s Rebels continue to harass the Lundanese. English victories along the northern frontier push in close to the Lundanese heartland.
The United Republics: King Adams faces a rancorous Senate over the issue of how to incorporate the new Canadian territories into the Republics – more baronies or more states. Late in the year the Fur Trader War erupts.
January 1813:
King Boabuana, who never really liked interacting so much with the pirates, steps down as the official member of the Council of Captains. He appoints his long time friend Roxrepreanna – the nomination is confirmed by Admiral Bonny’s governor, and about a month later officially by the Admiral himself.
King Boabuana’s main reason in stepping down from the Council of Captains was to deal with the border issues with Iharana (1).
February 1813:
There are a series of raids in and around Iharana.
March – April 1813:
Little of interest.
May 1813:
Nearly 100 Iharana pirates and 250 Betsimisaraka warriors clash near Ader’s River in northern Betsimisarakaia – the clash is a victory for King Boabuana (75 Iharana’s were killed to the 25 “Bet” warriors).
The Queen Mary (Thomas and Grace Kelly aboard), extort tribute from the northern homesteaders harvesting coffee, cocoa, and tobacco.
June 1813:
After several months of not hearing from his daughter Abigail, Oliver Bonny pays a visit to the young couple. He writes about the state in which he finds his daughter - “The drunkard has beaten her! Upon my arrival he was not to be seen, but when my dear Abigail opened the door to their tiny house I was nearly knocked over by the sight of her. Blackeyed, dirty, an arm in a sling – she tried, and failed, to get me to leave, but I would have none of it. I took her by the arm and whisked her away to my carriage.”
Oliver’s rescue of his daughter would have little immediate affect on the issue. James Norbert arrived two days later at the Bonny mansion demanding the return of his wife. When Oliver would not allow it, Norbert shot at Oliver, missing him. Had Christopher Bonny been at home, or even in port, James Norbert would have been a dead man. Oliver had Norbert subdued and brought before the city council (2). The trial that took place over the next few days excited Port Mission – as a Bonny story always did. In the end however, despite Oliver’s money and influence, and the influence of Robert Devereaux (Oliver’s son-in-law on the council) it was decided that: 1)Oliver had stolen Norbert’s wife, which he had paid for; 2) Since Abigail refused to leave her husband, or speak against him, and that the issue was more between them, that the matter would be dropped. However, warning was given to Norbert to better take care of his affairs.
July 1813:
Oliver begins receiving regular letters from his daughter Abigail – they are saturated with nothing but happy tidings and how good things are with James.
August – September 1813:
Ships bearing the insignia of Captain Hayreddin Hizir arrive in Port Mission (as well as in Iharana, and other towns in the northern regions). A fresh wave of violence spreads out from each of these landings – harassed shop keepers, broken arms, broken windows, superficial wounds; each incident abating once the victims had paid out for their protection. In every case the Hizir pirates had come and gone before Foremen could arrive.
In late September Admiral Bonny’s Foremen forcibly discourage a mob outside Mission House when a second round of “persuasion” by Hizir pirates swept over Port Mission (this on top of the money paid to the Admiral who was the defacto protector of Port Mission).
The Admiral finds that there were now many in Port Mission who were no longer paying him protection money, but were instead paying it to Hizir (there were now many Hizir pirates and loyalists working as Foremen to protect his interest in Port Mission).
October 1813:
At the bi-yearly meeting of the Council of Captains Admiral Bonny makes it known that ships loyal to Captain Hizir would no longer welcomed. Despite questioning this move – Hizir had not bothered anyone south of Port Mission after all – the edict was carried with the full support of Iharana.
At this meeting Robert Devereaux was introduced as the new Council member for Fort Dauphin – Admiral Bonny openly welcomed his nephew-in-law.
November 1813:
Fort Dauphin, Jamestown, and Morondava hold a smaller version of the Grand Games featuring a series of matches between Broadside and Lacrosse teams.
December 1813:
Little of interest.
1814:
Norway – Sweden War: the year long war is nearly an utter disaster for Norway – although Denmark fairs well on the seas, devastating the Swedish navy at The Battle of Oslo. By November a truce is called and by December Charles Fredrick, the leader of the Norwegian Royalists – and would be king – is exiled as part of the treaty with Sweden. Norway once again enters into a union with Denmark (prior to The Great Northern Wars it was in a union with Denmark).
Russo-Ottoman War: continues.
Venice: war with Ottomans. Serbian Revolt.
Lundanese Wars: Rheede’s Rebels continue to harass the Lundanese. English victories along the northern frontier push ever closer to the Lundanese heartland. The Lundanese are dealt a major defeat at the hands of the English at the Battle of Capetown. The Lundanese seek a truce.
England: takes Capetown from the Lundanese – the subsequent refusal to restore the port to the Dutch ignites a war with the Netherlands. In an attempt to win support from the locals, Rheede and his rebels are allowed back to their homes (more or less ending what many call the First Boer War – as Rheede and his farmers had done most of the fighting against the Lundanese).
English-Dutch War: Beings with the failure of England to return Capetown.
Zululand: further complicating the Dutch, English, Lundanese conflict is the rise of a warrior known as Shaka. During this year he launches several campaigns against local rivals, pirates, Ethiopia, Lunda, the Dutch and the English.
The United Republics: the Fur Trader War.
January 1814:
Little of interest.
February 1814:
Two ships with Captain Hizir flags approach Port Mission but keep their distance and readily get away when Bonny orders his own ships into open water.
March – April 1814:
Little of interest.
May 1814:
Admiral Bonny notes that several Port Mission regulars had gone missing (ships out to sea having not returned, captains and crew members on shore suddenly going missing). He further notes that perhaps not coincidentally that most of the disappearances were those with direct loyalty to him.
The Queen Mary returns north on what has become its annual mission to harass anyone daring to harvest nonsactioned Kelly crops. However, this time they were met with stiff resistance – ships out of Kaominina engaged and, after a short encounter, chased off the Queen Mary (3).
June 1814:
At the insistence of Bonny’s governor in Jamestown the Admiral invites Thomas Kelly as well as David Lima (the C.C. member from Kaominina). Although not invited by the Admiral, Vicar Segal arrives in Port Mission – invited by Thomas.
In short it was decided that the Kelly’s needed to stop harassing the northern regions. Any further act of aggression against the farmers would bring down the full power of the Admiral on Jamestown. Thomas was well aware of Samuel’s list of loyalties and the favors he could call in (4). Facing off against the Admiral at this time would more or less plunge Madagascar into a second civil war. Thomas neither agrees nor disagrees with the edict, merely stating (at the advice of the Vicar) that he would bring this before the Council of Captains.
After Thomas and the Vicar departed Admiral Bonny informs Lima that the farmers would pay for their protection or else he would unleash the Kellies.
July – August 1814:
The Thorn (Captain James Norbert) is sunk. On August the 29th a long boat with 6 men, James Norbert among them, washes ashore near Fort Dauphin (5).
September 1814:
Both James Norbert and Abigail leave Fort Dauphin. Oliver searches for them, but is unable to find them. Oliver even writes his brother – a rare communication between the two of them – for help in finding Abigail.
News reaches Admiral Bonny that Capetown has fallen to the English and that England and the Dutch were now at war (6).
October 1814:
Admiral Bonny invites the teams from Morondava, Jamestown, and Fort Dauphin to Port Mission for the second annual match between the cities.
During the bi-yearly meeting of the Council of Captains, Patrick Kirkland steps down as the Council member from Iharana – a man by the name of Devon Kane is appointed the open seat (7).
Thomas Kelly brings his grievance against the farmers around Kaominina to the Council of Captains. Despite Vicar Segal arguing in favor of the Kellys (although not condoning the Kelly’s actions) the Council is split (with Morondava and Toamasina abstaining; Kaominina and Iharana siding against Thomas; and Manakara and Fort Dauphin siding with Thomas). The Admiral cast the deciding vote – Thomas was left with the same choice: defy the decision and take Madagascar into civil war, or let the issue drop.
Ships flying the Kelly colors attack Kaominina during an early morning raid on the 30th – it is a bloody attack which killed 37 people.
November 1814:
Jamestown is attacked – the offshore bombardment does more damage than deaths, and the four ships move off before a proper chase can hunt them down.
The people and pirates of Kaominina wake to find two of their city council members dead – murdered in their beds.
December 1814:
Admiral Bonny calls a meeting between the Kaominina city council and the Kellys. Thomas denies the attacks on Kaominina, but vows not to step down from a fight.
Notes:
1) Roxrepreanna: was nearly as ill-suited for the job of dealing with the pirates as Boabuana had been. Roxrepreanna had in fact been a warrior under King Tahanka, and Boabuana personal trainer. At this time Roxrepreanna was lame footed and hadn’t used a spear for combat in about 10 years. He was, however, a great story teller, and it is in this regard that Boabuana used his old friend. Roxrepreanna was put in place to distract and interfere with the Admiral and the Admiral’s governors so Boabuana could deal more directly with Iharana.
2) Oliver Bonny: considered himself to be a civilized man. A man of brains, not of brawn. He spoke English, French, Latin, and Spanish. He believed in reason above all else – and yes, he was a pirate, for he would have sold his daughter (which he did) if the deal was right. He was not a man to be crossed, because he could be as equally cruel as he was civilized. He did, however, believe that you can’t get money from a dead man. So he brought James Norbert before the city council sure that he was right and that they would agree.
3) Queen Mary: oddly there is almost no mention of the incident in May of 1814 – or if there was, there is no surviving commentary. We know the event was significant in some way because it was after this battle that the ship was renamed Grace. We know Grace Kelly was liked by the crew, and that she had proven herself in earlier adventures, but it is a matter of great speculation as to what transpired to merit such a reward.
4) Kelly spies: although not as extensive as they once were, the Kelly’s still had one of the best informant networks on the island (some have said one of the best in the world, next to the royal court in Venice).
5) Norbert long ship: this is a rather interesting story – it becomes, much later, a basis for a blockbuster movie. The Thorn is attacked and sunk by a fellow pirate ship. Captain Norbert and nine others manage to escape to a long boat during the curse of the battle. They had on hand a small barrel of water to sustain them. Captain Norbert killed the first man during the first night – the body was stripped, the clothing used to shield those who remained from the sun. Over the course of the next two days of drifting, and hand paddling, Norbert managed to communicate to Harry Longcannon (because he trusted this man or because Longcannon simply happen to be the nearest man) through looks and tapping who was to be killed next. On day four Longcannon and Norbert struck, killing two others and dumping overboard everyone else. Each man was welcomed back aboard the long boat once a renewed oath of loyalty was given. Of the two men killed, they were stripped, and dismembered – their limbs used as oars. Several days later the boat was able to make it back to land near Fort Dauphin.
6) Kelly’s knew about the war: by the time Samuel Bonny found out about the war between the English and the Dutch, the Kelly were already aware of the Lundanese defeat and had stepped up trading food to the battered army and guns to Rheede to finish pushing the Lundanese north.
7) Devon Kane: hardly anyone knew of this man before he became the new representative on the Council of Captains for Iharana. He is recorded as being the captain of the Prince, although, by all accounts he had only been captain for a few months. Prior to this he seems to have been a ranking pirate aboard the Hadeed Bahr – a ship loyal to Captain Hizir.
1815
General: eruption of Mt. Tambora – so great was the pyroclastic distribution into the atmosphere that it brought about the Year Without a Summer (1816).
New Orleans: First Consul Napoleon of the Orleans Empire commissions the construction of the Arc de Triomphe to commemorate his victory over Europe and the greatness of the Orleans Empire.
United Republics: heated clashes take place in the Congress between senators and barons over how the new territories will be brought into the Union. The Fur Trader War is given fresh life this year when militias from various republics (escorting colonists) are sent as part of a greater plan to force the issue of settlement though the Congress.
Zululand: Shaka officially names himself king over a region that encompasses most of what had been the Portuguese colonial territory of Mozambique.
Russo-Ottoman War: Russia is dealt a crushing defeat at the Battle of Kura River – near Tiflis. Although costly for both sides it was a great victory for the Ottomans.
Venice: war with Ottomans. Serbian Revolt.
Lundanese Wars: although technically in a truce with the English there are a number of skirmishes during this year between the two kingdoms.
English-Dutch War: continues; most significantly this year was the death of Adriaan van der Rheede (1).
England: settles their first colony on New Zealand – Port Brighton.
Spain: fresh rebellion begins against Spanish rule in the New World – this time focused around the city of Veracruz.
January 1815:
Admiral Bonny calls the Council of Captains to Port Mission. His attempts, and that of Vicar Segal, to mediate between Iharana/Kaominina and Jamestown had barely been able to keep the skirmishes from flaring up into an all out feud (2). Bonny decided to address two issues at the same time. In recent months – since the fall of Capetown to the English – worry, fear, and wild rumors had taken root among the pirates of Madagascar. More and more English ships had been spotted – which was good for piracy, but which also brought with them an increase in the number of warships in the area (Marsh Island had sent off warning rockets several times in the last few months - some of which were false alarms). It was time to bloody the English nose (3). Admiral Bonny had no real interest in the Bowen Islands – and notes several times how he didn’t understand some of his fellow pirates’ obsession with gaining back those islands – but felt the first thrust should be there. He drew heavily from the navies of Jamestown, Iharana, and Kaominina – requests they could hardly ignore.
Preparations begin for the attack on the Bowen Islands.
February 1815:
On the 15th of February the armada set sail for the Bowen Islands – 37 ships in all (4). About six days later they had reached the islands. The English warships and Bowen pirates were overwhelmed within hours. There was no hiding the armada, so although the Bowen’s mustered a defense the ships approached in disjointed pockets. The Bowens had one factor in their favor, the wind. At first this brought them the initial advantage, but this was short lived. Of the three English warships, and the twenty or so pirate ships, nearly all were captured or sunk. Bonny would lay claim to these prizes, and would later distribute them to loyalists and those who conducted themselves with great acts of courage (a few captains, not counting those who fled during or before the battle, were able to bribe and gain their freedom and that of their ship – although, not always with all the lives of their crews).
The assault on Fort Hendrick would take another day, and about a further day for the islands to fully fall under Madagascar’s control once again. What followed next would be five days of rape, murder, pillaging, and celebration.
Admiral Bonny would return to Port Mission on the 28th with the bulk of the ships and the prizes, as well as several hundred prisoners to be sold and placed into servitude. Waiting for the admiral upon his return was Vicar Segal. The Vicar and the Admiral got into a heated argument – the Vicar would not allow innocents to be subjected to reprisals. Eventually it was decided that if a prisoner could prove that they or their family were of pirate origin they would be spared – all those of English birth, soldiers, the governor, would be killed, indentured, or sent to Nova Island.
March 1815:
On the 3rd Vicar Segal departed Port Mission, with a small army of priests and acolytes, for the Bowen Islands. He carried with him three important documents – the Lussan Codex, the Lussian Bible, and a letter from Admiral Bonny granting him the authority to bring the islands back into the fold.
On the heels of the Vicar’s departure, that very night according to Samuel Bonny, an audience was demanded of the admiral. All of the members of the Council were present as well as several captains – nearly everyone was staking a claim to the Bowen Islands.
Too late for the assault on the Bowen Islands the Morondava shipyards complete the Rampage – a 30 gun frigate. The Revenge, although not beached, is reduced to a skeleton crew and remanded to patrolling the waters in and around Nova Island.
April – May 1815:
Vicar Segal managed to save a number of lives, but would be unable to stop the raiding of nearly all valuables and ships larger than a fishing skiff. Food became an issue and famine threatened to overtake the islands, but rationing and a deal with the Kellys to ship in food (at a price) kept the damage to a minimal.
The issue of “ownership” of the Bowen Islands would not be settled without incident. Although he never specifically specified what he thought would happen after the attack on the Bowen Islands, it seems safe to say that Samuel Bonny did not foresee a protracted debate about ownership – it could be guessed that he assumed they would take what they wanted and leave the mess for the English to clean up. Instead what he got was a shouting match between the interested parties: some highlights of which were: when Thomas Kelly shot Daniel Card dead; when Bonny himself was thrust into a duel between Alexander First and Albert Dane (both captains and their crews were instrumental in the taking of Fort Hendrick, and both had some unspecified relationship with the Taylors and the first pirates to inhabit the Bowen Islands) when he attempted to break up a fist fight; also, when Rafe Williams stabbed Kahn Gyandev in the hand (5).
There was no way to come out of this clean – so Admiral Bonny settled on the best of his choices. He claimed the islands for himself. He said that he would leave it in the hands of Vicar Segal and his acolytes to administer, and if, in a year, the islands proved worth keeping they would reassess what was to be done with them.
A forbidden relationship is discovered. It comes to the attention of Rebecca Tibbs that her son, Richard, and her niece, Paulien Tibbs, were secretly in a relationship with each other. Rebecca forbade the couple; to make sure that they didn’t see each other Mathew Jones (Richard’s father) sent Richard to serve on the Rampage.
June 1815:
By the end of June the mighty pirate armada began to break up. Captains set sail for regular hunting grounds, while others docked and would unload their crews as harvest season was upon them, some remained around the Bowen Islands convinced there was more to be gotten through pillaging and terror – and thanks to the efforts of Vicar Segal pirate captains were able to keep raiding villages and towns for food.
Thomas Kelly suggested continuing to press the English by attacking their African holdings. The Kellys were already trading with the Dutch in their war against the English, so not only were the English distracted by a war, but there was an ally to work with (besides, English warships were a constant hamper to Kelly trade in the area).
July 1815:
The Bowen Islands issue would not rest. Although the matter among the elite had been shelved, at least for the time being, the lesser pirates who had remained on the islands were far from settled. The first of the infighting started outside the village of Dean when the pirate ship Adventure (a sloop), and the pirate ship Kings Ransom (also a sloop) arrived at the Dean, separately, to extort money and food. They began fighting among themselves – and into this mix a third ship arrived, the Manx (a brig). The Manx was captained by Patrick Scott and nearby when cannon fire began drifting over the wind. The village of Dean was already paying protection to the Manx. The Adventure cut and run, the Kings Ransom, already with sail damage, was chased down and sunk.
Delaying what remained of the pirate armada (down to about 15 ships) was the choosing of a leadership for the attacks. Although the Kellys were looked to for the honor, with Thomas remaining behind, the Kellys had no viable options. The rest of the Council demand the honor, but ultimately it came down to two names: Robert Devereaux and Christopher Bonny (the Kellys balked against both of these suggestions). Ultimately, after days of fighting, expression of feats, displays of wealth, and bribes, Christopher Bonny was named commander. The armada set sail in late July; on a mission to raid and damage, not to invade.
August – September 1815:
The situation on the Bowen Islands continued to deteriorate. A dozen or more lesser pirates, each trying to carve out his and her own fiefdoms and Vicar Segal trying to maintain balance, peace, and the protection of the locals – although he had the full support of Admiral Bonny, the admiral had offered little in the way of help.
The armada encountered English warships at Capetown and easily drove them off. The pirates attacked Capetown and the surrounding area, but the English army in base would not be moved and drove the pirates back to their ships.
Although by now all of Nova Island was aware of it, there was no longer anyway to prevent it. Paulien Tibbs had stowed away on the Rampage and she and Richard snuck ashore during the fighting, and had vanished into the countryside.
October 1815:
Vicar Segal is taken captive by coalition of pirates being lead by Dana Green – Fort Hendrick comes under her control.
Christopher Bonny leads in the sacking of several English colonies.
Another round of attacks between Iharana and the Bet. warriors – particularly bloody encounters, with Iharanan pirates pushing deep into Betsimisaraka lands (for the first time there are several ship engagements).
King Boabuana contacts Admiral Bonny demanding that he take control of Iharana (Betsimisaraka had the fewest ships of all the factions and now that Iharana was raiding with their ships Boabuana could no longer hope to win a decisive victory).
November 1815:
After years of trying, Edward and Maeghan Kelly have their first child – Aaron (Aaron is the only child they are able to have).
Admiral Bonny arrives in Toamasina with five ships. He begins directing counter attacks against the Iharanan ships which had been attacking the Betsimisaraka coast. Well after these attacks Admiral Bonny dispatches letters to the Iharana city council demanding they end their hostilities in what is obviously Betsimisaraka lands.
December 1815:
A storm blows over Madagascar, although not terrible, it does leave some damage behind – most notably, the sinking of the Revenge (it began taking on water and sunk at the dock – a rather sad ending to such a significant ship).
Notes:
1) Death of Rheede: there are a few stories surrounding his death – the official history by the English was his death during the pirate raid on Capetown. However, another version has him defying an attempt to be conscripted. Another version has him being killed by English agents. And yet another version has him being killed during a Lundanese raid.
2) Feuds: Jamestown-Iharana /Betsimisaraka-Iharana: although each had been aggressive towards the other, it won’t be discovered until later that there was in fact a mastermind behind these developments: Captain Hayreddin Hizir.
3) Bloody Nose: according to the Lussan Codex: “It can be expected, and should be expected, that retaliation logically follows a grievance. One begets another until, ever growing in severity, some conclusion is established. Two things I can say to this. The first being that all will must be given over to delivering a response proportional to the grievance – a bloody nose is an acceptable first response. The second being this, a grievance, no matter how great, can be bribed and this is far more profitable than a bloody nose.
4) The armada: among the participants were the Admiral, Thomas Kelly, and Grace Kelly, as well as the Grace. Although neither Thomas or Samuel participated in the land attack, so distrusting of each other were they that neither of their ships were outside of their others sight. When what remained of the armada journeyed on to Africa Samuel, Thomas, and Grace remained at home, however the Grace and the new Kelly warship Rampage did join the attacks.
5) The full story: Kahn Gyandev was a very large man, and loud. During the meetings regarding the ownership of the Bowen Islands Kahn would thump the table regularly as he spoke. Rafe Williams (less than half Kahn’s size) grew tired of this and eventually drew his knife in time with Kahn’s thumping and pinned his hand to the table – followed by a blow to the face which broke Kahn’s nose.
General: eruption of Mt. Tambora – so great was the pyroclastic distribution into the atmosphere that it brought about the Year Without a Summer (1816).
New Orleans: First Consul Napoleon of the Orleans Empire commissions the construction of the Arc de Triomphe to commemorate his victory over Europe and the greatness of the Orleans Empire.
United Republics: heated clashes take place in the Congress between senators and barons over how the new territories will be brought into the Union. The Fur Trader War is given fresh life this year when militias from various republics (escorting colonists) are sent as part of a greater plan to force the issue of settlement though the Congress.
Zululand: Shaka officially names himself king over a region that encompasses most of what had been the Portuguese colonial territory of Mozambique.
Russo-Ottoman War: Russia is dealt a crushing defeat at the Battle of Kura River – near Tiflis. Although costly for both sides it was a great victory for the Ottomans.
Venice: war with Ottomans. Serbian Revolt.
Lundanese Wars: although technically in a truce with the English there are a number of skirmishes during this year between the two kingdoms.
English-Dutch War: continues; most significantly this year was the death of Adriaan van der Rheede (1).
England: settles their first colony on New Zealand – Port Brighton.
Spain: fresh rebellion begins against Spanish rule in the New World – this time focused around the city of Veracruz.
January 1815:
Admiral Bonny calls the Council of Captains to Port Mission. His attempts, and that of Vicar Segal, to mediate between Iharana/Kaominina and Jamestown had barely been able to keep the skirmishes from flaring up into an all out feud (2). Bonny decided to address two issues at the same time. In recent months – since the fall of Capetown to the English – worry, fear, and wild rumors had taken root among the pirates of Madagascar. More and more English ships had been spotted – which was good for piracy, but which also brought with them an increase in the number of warships in the area (Marsh Island had sent off warning rockets several times in the last few months - some of which were false alarms). It was time to bloody the English nose (3). Admiral Bonny had no real interest in the Bowen Islands – and notes several times how he didn’t understand some of his fellow pirates’ obsession with gaining back those islands – but felt the first thrust should be there. He drew heavily from the navies of Jamestown, Iharana, and Kaominina – requests they could hardly ignore.
Preparations begin for the attack on the Bowen Islands.
February 1815:
On the 15th of February the armada set sail for the Bowen Islands – 37 ships in all (4). About six days later they had reached the islands. The English warships and Bowen pirates were overwhelmed within hours. There was no hiding the armada, so although the Bowen’s mustered a defense the ships approached in disjointed pockets. The Bowens had one factor in their favor, the wind. At first this brought them the initial advantage, but this was short lived. Of the three English warships, and the twenty or so pirate ships, nearly all were captured or sunk. Bonny would lay claim to these prizes, and would later distribute them to loyalists and those who conducted themselves with great acts of courage (a few captains, not counting those who fled during or before the battle, were able to bribe and gain their freedom and that of their ship – although, not always with all the lives of their crews).
The assault on Fort Hendrick would take another day, and about a further day for the islands to fully fall under Madagascar’s control once again. What followed next would be five days of rape, murder, pillaging, and celebration.
Admiral Bonny would return to Port Mission on the 28th with the bulk of the ships and the prizes, as well as several hundred prisoners to be sold and placed into servitude. Waiting for the admiral upon his return was Vicar Segal. The Vicar and the Admiral got into a heated argument – the Vicar would not allow innocents to be subjected to reprisals. Eventually it was decided that if a prisoner could prove that they or their family were of pirate origin they would be spared – all those of English birth, soldiers, the governor, would be killed, indentured, or sent to Nova Island.
March 1815:
On the 3rd Vicar Segal departed Port Mission, with a small army of priests and acolytes, for the Bowen Islands. He carried with him three important documents – the Lussan Codex, the Lussian Bible, and a letter from Admiral Bonny granting him the authority to bring the islands back into the fold.
On the heels of the Vicar’s departure, that very night according to Samuel Bonny, an audience was demanded of the admiral. All of the members of the Council were present as well as several captains – nearly everyone was staking a claim to the Bowen Islands.
Too late for the assault on the Bowen Islands the Morondava shipyards complete the Rampage – a 30 gun frigate. The Revenge, although not beached, is reduced to a skeleton crew and remanded to patrolling the waters in and around Nova Island.
April – May 1815:
Vicar Segal managed to save a number of lives, but would be unable to stop the raiding of nearly all valuables and ships larger than a fishing skiff. Food became an issue and famine threatened to overtake the islands, but rationing and a deal with the Kellys to ship in food (at a price) kept the damage to a minimal.
The issue of “ownership” of the Bowen Islands would not be settled without incident. Although he never specifically specified what he thought would happen after the attack on the Bowen Islands, it seems safe to say that Samuel Bonny did not foresee a protracted debate about ownership – it could be guessed that he assumed they would take what they wanted and leave the mess for the English to clean up. Instead what he got was a shouting match between the interested parties: some highlights of which were: when Thomas Kelly shot Daniel Card dead; when Bonny himself was thrust into a duel between Alexander First and Albert Dane (both captains and their crews were instrumental in the taking of Fort Hendrick, and both had some unspecified relationship with the Taylors and the first pirates to inhabit the Bowen Islands) when he attempted to break up a fist fight; also, when Rafe Williams stabbed Kahn Gyandev in the hand (5).
There was no way to come out of this clean – so Admiral Bonny settled on the best of his choices. He claimed the islands for himself. He said that he would leave it in the hands of Vicar Segal and his acolytes to administer, and if, in a year, the islands proved worth keeping they would reassess what was to be done with them.
A forbidden relationship is discovered. It comes to the attention of Rebecca Tibbs that her son, Richard, and her niece, Paulien Tibbs, were secretly in a relationship with each other. Rebecca forbade the couple; to make sure that they didn’t see each other Mathew Jones (Richard’s father) sent Richard to serve on the Rampage.
June 1815:
By the end of June the mighty pirate armada began to break up. Captains set sail for regular hunting grounds, while others docked and would unload their crews as harvest season was upon them, some remained around the Bowen Islands convinced there was more to be gotten through pillaging and terror – and thanks to the efforts of Vicar Segal pirate captains were able to keep raiding villages and towns for food.
Thomas Kelly suggested continuing to press the English by attacking their African holdings. The Kellys were already trading with the Dutch in their war against the English, so not only were the English distracted by a war, but there was an ally to work with (besides, English warships were a constant hamper to Kelly trade in the area).
July 1815:
The Bowen Islands issue would not rest. Although the matter among the elite had been shelved, at least for the time being, the lesser pirates who had remained on the islands were far from settled. The first of the infighting started outside the village of Dean when the pirate ship Adventure (a sloop), and the pirate ship Kings Ransom (also a sloop) arrived at the Dean, separately, to extort money and food. They began fighting among themselves – and into this mix a third ship arrived, the Manx (a brig). The Manx was captained by Patrick Scott and nearby when cannon fire began drifting over the wind. The village of Dean was already paying protection to the Manx. The Adventure cut and run, the Kings Ransom, already with sail damage, was chased down and sunk.
Delaying what remained of the pirate armada (down to about 15 ships) was the choosing of a leadership for the attacks. Although the Kellys were looked to for the honor, with Thomas remaining behind, the Kellys had no viable options. The rest of the Council demand the honor, but ultimately it came down to two names: Robert Devereaux and Christopher Bonny (the Kellys balked against both of these suggestions). Ultimately, after days of fighting, expression of feats, displays of wealth, and bribes, Christopher Bonny was named commander. The armada set sail in late July; on a mission to raid and damage, not to invade.
August – September 1815:
The situation on the Bowen Islands continued to deteriorate. A dozen or more lesser pirates, each trying to carve out his and her own fiefdoms and Vicar Segal trying to maintain balance, peace, and the protection of the locals – although he had the full support of Admiral Bonny, the admiral had offered little in the way of help.
The armada encountered English warships at Capetown and easily drove them off. The pirates attacked Capetown and the surrounding area, but the English army in base would not be moved and drove the pirates back to their ships.
Although by now all of Nova Island was aware of it, there was no longer anyway to prevent it. Paulien Tibbs had stowed away on the Rampage and she and Richard snuck ashore during the fighting, and had vanished into the countryside.
October 1815:
Vicar Segal is taken captive by coalition of pirates being lead by Dana Green – Fort Hendrick comes under her control.
Christopher Bonny leads in the sacking of several English colonies.
Another round of attacks between Iharana and the Bet. warriors – particularly bloody encounters, with Iharanan pirates pushing deep into Betsimisaraka lands (for the first time there are several ship engagements).
King Boabuana contacts Admiral Bonny demanding that he take control of Iharana (Betsimisaraka had the fewest ships of all the factions and now that Iharana was raiding with their ships Boabuana could no longer hope to win a decisive victory).
November 1815:
After years of trying, Edward and Maeghan Kelly have their first child – Aaron (Aaron is the only child they are able to have).
Admiral Bonny arrives in Toamasina with five ships. He begins directing counter attacks against the Iharanan ships which had been attacking the Betsimisaraka coast. Well after these attacks Admiral Bonny dispatches letters to the Iharana city council demanding they end their hostilities in what is obviously Betsimisaraka lands.
December 1815:
A storm blows over Madagascar, although not terrible, it does leave some damage behind – most notably, the sinking of the Revenge (it began taking on water and sunk at the dock – a rather sad ending to such a significant ship).
Notes:
1) Death of Rheede: there are a few stories surrounding his death – the official history by the English was his death during the pirate raid on Capetown. However, another version has him defying an attempt to be conscripted. Another version has him being killed by English agents. And yet another version has him being killed during a Lundanese raid.
2) Feuds: Jamestown-Iharana /Betsimisaraka-Iharana: although each had been aggressive towards the other, it won’t be discovered until later that there was in fact a mastermind behind these developments: Captain Hayreddin Hizir.
3) Bloody Nose: according to the Lussan Codex: “It can be expected, and should be expected, that retaliation logically follows a grievance. One begets another until, ever growing in severity, some conclusion is established. Two things I can say to this. The first being that all will must be given over to delivering a response proportional to the grievance – a bloody nose is an acceptable first response. The second being this, a grievance, no matter how great, can be bribed and this is far more profitable than a bloody nose.
4) The armada: among the participants were the Admiral, Thomas Kelly, and Grace Kelly, as well as the Grace. Although neither Thomas or Samuel participated in the land attack, so distrusting of each other were they that neither of their ships were outside of their others sight. When what remained of the armada journeyed on to Africa Samuel, Thomas, and Grace remained at home, however the Grace and the new Kelly warship Rampage did join the attacks.
5) The full story: Kahn Gyandev was a very large man, and loud. During the meetings regarding the ownership of the Bowen Islands Kahn would thump the table regularly as he spoke. Rafe Williams (less than half Kahn’s size) grew tired of this and eventually drew his knife in time with Kahn’s thumping and pinned his hand to the table – followed by a blow to the face which broke Kahn’s nose.
So very sorry for the long delay. I'm taking some time off, so I will work on getting a few updates out without the month long wait in between.
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1816
General: The Year Without a Summer.
General: Congress of Vienna is held to finalize border issues left over from the long French civil war, Napoleon War, Prussian expansionism, the breakup of the Holy Roman Empire – and the subsequent territorial disputes being fought by the smaller successor states (those which haven’t already fallen to France or Prussia).
United Republics: King Adams sends the Army of the Union into the new territories to put an end to the Fur Trader War – and to establish a “crown” presence in the region in order to halt the potential for a full scale civil war between the barons and the republics.
Russian Empire: Alexander I of Russia signs an order of expulsion of all Muslims from the Russian Empire.
Russo-Ottoman War: a truce is called, developing into the Treaty of Cairo.
Portugal (in exile): plans continue for the restoration of the crown to the homeland, however, during a state dinner wherein King Joao of Portugal-Brazil was laying out his plans for war with Spain a coup is launched. Joao is overthrown by his son, Pedro – who, with the backing of many aristocrats and natives, see no future in attempting to gain back the homeland from so far away. Pedro is crowned Pedro I of the Brazilian Empire.
Venice: war with Ottomans continues. Serbian Revolt continues.
English-Dutch War: The Treaty of Paris is signed ending the war. The Dutch colony of Capetown is granted to England. The Dutch rebels are granted immunity and pardons to lay down their arms – most accept the offer.
Spain: the Veracruz rebellion sparks several other rebellions throughout Spain’s Central American holdings.
January - February 1816:
Admiral Bonny leads several attacks against Iharana warparties and tax collectors – battling both on land and sea.
March 1816:
Dana Green’s collation of pirates falls apart – Fort Hendrick is racked with fighting. A small army of townsfolk, about 200, fight their way to the cells and free the captured – including Vicar Segal.
Leading this army was a man by the name of Tobias Taylor (1). Tobias protects the Vicar during this latest round of fighting and, it is said, brings Segal back from the brink of death (had fallen ill while captive).
The Admiral decides to push passed several skirmishes (leaving warparties of his own to handle the Iharana parties) with his main force and attack the heart of the conflict – Iharana. The battle does not go well, his force – of about 300 – is repelled (his ships were delayed and although they do eventually arrive to blockade Iharana they were too late to assist in the initial assault). Admiral Bonny is taken captive (2).
Thomas Kelly dies. He was hosting a gathering of merchants and city council members from Fort Dauphin – an attempt to boost and sure up the Kelly influence in Fort Dauphin which had been on the decline in recent years. During the gathering Thomas complained of dizziness, which was laughingly blamed on being in his cups, but soon after he became violently ill and collapsed to the floor. The smart fled the house, the brave rushed to his aide, the dim witted stood and watched. Among his convulsions Thomas is able to call for his foremen. In the rush and madness three people are killed, and all whom remained in the house are arrested. Although he seems to have vomited up most of the poison, he complains of numb limbs, and a stomach and throat too raw and burning to take in food. He lingers for three days before falling into a deep sleep. His last breath was taken on March the 5th, just after 3am. Grace was at his bedside. Although messages were sent to Forecastle informing Brigit, she does not arrive until the 8th of March.
Thomas was burned at sea.
Despite the fact that by all the loyal captains and people of Jamestown Thomas had been grooming Grace to be the new head of the family and faction it was Brigit who began giving orders. There would be no retaliation against Fort Dauphin. The captive merchants and city council members of Fort Dauphin would be released.
Thomas’ killer is never discovered (3).
Although Brigit remained in Jamestown for the time being, her son Edward and family returned to Forecastle.
April 1816:
The capture of the Admiral halts the Betsimiraka -Iharana Feud. King Boabuana assumes command of the pirate army – although his authority is soon questioned and there is some infighting. The situation is further complicated after the Council is informed.
May 1816:
First letters began to arrive, and soon after actual Council Members began showing up, at the siege of Iharana. Robert Devereaux (rep. Fort D.), arriving with 200 Fort D. pirates, demands to lead the attack. David Lima (rep. Kaominina) argued for command – stating his close ties with Iharana. Braratta (rep. Manakara) claimed it was time to negotiate. Tamotakana (rep. for the Elder Council of Morondava), also arriving with warriors, felt his leadership would win the day.
Things within Iharana weren’t going well either. Infighting was developing as the siege continued and the lack of any direct leadership.
The situation on the Bowen Islands settled back into a tense status quo. Vicar Segal, with much of his health back, worked hard to establish a lasting peace. In the end he helped form a triumvirate – Bourbon sent a captain by the name of Vincent da Molin; much of the life outside of the walls of Fort Hendrick were still in shambles so it was Tobias Taylor who was elected by his closest friends and allies; for the third Vicar Segal wrote to Thomas Kelly to request a representative for the Main-Island (4).
Around the 20th of May Jamestown was hit by raiders – five ships, flying flags of red with a black crescent, ships of Hiriz…but crewed by Kaominan pirates. The attack was poorly planned – the town was bustling with Kelly pirates (they had been arriving to pay their respects to the family, and then being held over by Brigit for reason she had not yet divulged). Although there was damage done, to ships, several buildings set on fire, the raid made away with very little of value – and probably would have been chased down and captured if not for Brigit’s insistence that they be allowed to leave.
The next night, under cover of darkness – and some say heavy sedation – Brigit had Grace taken out of Jamestown and sent to Forecastle.
Ten days later, under pressure from locals and captains – for there were rumors that Brigit was abandoning Jamestown, and the whereabouts of Grace was unknown – Brigit held a meeting with the Kelly loyalists. She took no questions and made only a handful of statements. She was indeed leaving Jamestown – the Kelly estate had in fact been mostly boxed up and closed up. She sent Grace to Forecastle for her own protection. That she expected the same level of loyalty out of the captains as they, their fathers, and their father’s before them, had given to the Kellys. And, that it was time this tit-for-tat fighting came to an end. “We can no longer go on as a people if all we do is fight among ourselves for every little slight.” To that end she had sent bribes north to Kaominina and Iharana to pay off the rivals. She ordered her captains not to engage in any more piracy and that retaliation against any other faction for the death of Thomas or the attacks on Jamestown would mean a forfeit of all wealth and goods and death. The Kelly focus would be on trade – there was a demand for food and goods in the world and she would make sure the Kelly’s profited from that. The Jamestown pirates would now act as escorts for the Kelly trade ships – which she planned on increasing the number of. She appoints her son Edward as the new Jamestown Representative to the Council of Captains (5). She lastly informs them that she has drafted a letter stating the withdraw of the Kellys from the vicious cycle of piracy to the Admiral.
And that was it. She left the meeting and Jamestown right after this. But, not before turning the Kelly spy network in on Jamestown. It seems she was not completely above all pirate tactics. As a means to enforce this new edict – and ram peace down the throats of her pirates – she had her own people watched. As word came to her of those not following the new rules she had then beaten and removed to Nova Island – their wealth and possession afterwards belonging to her. Over the next several months over a hundred pirates, captains, and citizens vanish.
Seeing plots and defiance of her wishes all around her (and to a certain extent an inability to understand why they didn’t understand the new direction she wanted the family to go in) brought about an increasing measure of paranoia in Brigit.
Of course not all her captains were taken away for their lack of respect. Some were publicly denounced and even arrested for a lack of acceptable profit margin. This pressure for the best deal ended up forcing the continuation of the very thing Brigit was trying to change. Kelly pirates began raiding grain shipments as far away as Egypt, India, Orleans, and the United Republics – and then taking said grain, adding it to their own shipments, and charging the starving ports exuberant prices (crops were failing all over Europe during this year, making for very easy marks).
June1816:
Brigit tries to marry off Grace for the first time (eight attempts over the next few years are made to find suitors before the effort is abandoned).
The letter from Vicar Segal finds Brigit. She had none of the interest in the Bowen Islands – other than another place to sell food goods – that Thomas had. She seems to have picked a representative at complete randomness and ends up sending a little known captain by the name of Bartholomew Bagger – as well as a letter informing the Vicar of Thomas’ death.
The sound of cannons and fighting could be heard within Iharana. Several of the Council members lead their own forces into the city to find the battle well underway (David Lima of Kaominina is killed during the battle). The leadership within Iharana – what there was of it – had completely broken down. Although the fighting was confusing eventually order was restored.
The Admiral was found and released. From interrogation a number of things were learned. Bonny’s “governor” had been killed and most of the city council had been taken captive by Hiriz loyalists. The attacks on Bet lands were indeed to gain more territory, but also to draw in the Admiral in order to catch him. However, Captain Hizir never showed, or sent word on what was to be done once the Admiral had been captured (6). The lack of contact with their leader soon sparked doubt, which lead to infighting, which lead to a complete breakdown between the loyalists. They were also responsible for the attacks on Jamestown –and for encouraging Kaominina pirates to join. There was meant to be attacks on Port Mission but these orders never reached those contacts in Port Mission.
Admiral Bonny begins dismantling the Hizir faction (one of the first to hang was Council Member Devon Kane – after his loyalties to Hizir are discovered). First by public executions in Iharana and then, after returning to Port Mission, making many arrests and even more public executions. However, before leaving Iharana Admiral Bonny makes another discovery – the whereabouts of his niece Abigail. Her husband, James Norbert, is found to be one of the Hizir loyalists. He is hung. Abigail is found locked up in a cellar room – at the time of her discovery she hadn’t eaten for at least two days. She is brought back to health, but refuses to be sent home via ship and insists on traveling over land to get back to Fort Dauphin.
July 1816:
Vicar Segal begins his journey home to the cloister of Antananarivo.
August 1816:
Abigail Bonny detours her traveling contingent to Antananarivo. There she speaks with the Vicar and asks to stay, to become an acolyte. Although the Vicar is faced with some resistance to allowing her to seclude herself, to study, he sees no reason in either the Lussian Bible or the Codex to refuses her her request.
Word is sent on to Fort Dauphin and Oliver Bonny informing him of Abigail request and the Vicar’s decision.
Paulien Tibbs and Richard Jones (runaways in Capetown) have their first child, Henry. At this time they are secretly wed, with Richard taking the name Tibbs (7).
September – December 1816:
Christopher Bonny returns – although full of battle stories, not all of his captains were happy. It seems that Christopher had followed his orders to the letter, staging hit and run attacks on the English. Part of this plan was that Christopher had his fleet lay in hiding for weeks at a time sometimes. Others found his cruelty a bit over zealous – particularly among women.
Admiral Bonny sets Christopher and Robert Devereaux (as well as his “governors”) to the task of weeding out any further Hiriz faction loyalists around Madagascar. Arrests become common place, and passing information on your fellow pirate becomes a profitable side job as the Admiral paid well.
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Notes:
1) Tobias Taylor: he is one of the last surviving descendent of the famous John Taylor (1701-1750), and the once mighty Taylor faction. His wife’s name is Marabelle, and they have a son, Dorian.
2) Admiral captive: he learns while captive that his governor is dead, and that the city council was now, and has been for some time, loyal to Hizir.
3) Thomas never avenged: the assassin who killed Thomas is never found, nor is it ever fully discovered who was behind the murder. There were and are still many suspects from Hizir, to the city council of Kaominina, to the Bonnys – or even the Admiral himself.
4) The letter Thomas never read: despite the on and off relationship between the Kellys and Vicar Segal, it was the Vicar who sought out the Kellys to up hold the peace he had crafted. Perhaps it was in thanks for Thomas’ interest in the islands (food shipments had made a difference), or perhaps it was that the Kellys were a long standing faction and were capable of defending and maintaining the peace on the Bowen Islands, or perhaps it was he just trusted the Kellys a little bit more than he trusted the Bonnys.
5) Edward Kelly: Brigit’s choice to appoint her son as Jamestown’s representative to the Council does not go over well with anyone. Her son didn’t want the appointment. Jamestown was already furious with her over her other actions and now she had appointed someone who A) doesn’t live in Jamestown, and B) who hasn’t visited Jamestown since his early childhood. The Admiral and rest of the Council did not approve of the appointment because Edward was not a captain, nor had he ever captained, nor had he ever been on a ship as far as anyone could remember.
6) Hayreddin Hizir: despite his plans for taking over, and his placement of loyalists in key pirate locations, his failure to appoint a single leader in Iharana and the failure of his attack order to reach Port Mission ultimately brought about the end of his rise to power. The Gumus Kol is sunk early in the year battling an Ethiopian galleon and never even hears about the capture of Admiral Bonny.
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1816
General: The Year Without a Summer.
General: Congress of Vienna is held to finalize border issues left over from the long French civil war, Napoleon War, Prussian expansionism, the breakup of the Holy Roman Empire – and the subsequent territorial disputes being fought by the smaller successor states (those which haven’t already fallen to France or Prussia).
United Republics: King Adams sends the Army of the Union into the new territories to put an end to the Fur Trader War – and to establish a “crown” presence in the region in order to halt the potential for a full scale civil war between the barons and the republics.
Russian Empire: Alexander I of Russia signs an order of expulsion of all Muslims from the Russian Empire.
Russo-Ottoman War: a truce is called, developing into the Treaty of Cairo.
Portugal (in exile): plans continue for the restoration of the crown to the homeland, however, during a state dinner wherein King Joao of Portugal-Brazil was laying out his plans for war with Spain a coup is launched. Joao is overthrown by his son, Pedro – who, with the backing of many aristocrats and natives, see no future in attempting to gain back the homeland from so far away. Pedro is crowned Pedro I of the Brazilian Empire.
Venice: war with Ottomans continues. Serbian Revolt continues.
English-Dutch War: The Treaty of Paris is signed ending the war. The Dutch colony of Capetown is granted to England. The Dutch rebels are granted immunity and pardons to lay down their arms – most accept the offer.
Spain: the Veracruz rebellion sparks several other rebellions throughout Spain’s Central American holdings.
January - February 1816:
Admiral Bonny leads several attacks against Iharana warparties and tax collectors – battling both on land and sea.
March 1816:
Dana Green’s collation of pirates falls apart – Fort Hendrick is racked with fighting. A small army of townsfolk, about 200, fight their way to the cells and free the captured – including Vicar Segal.
Leading this army was a man by the name of Tobias Taylor (1). Tobias protects the Vicar during this latest round of fighting and, it is said, brings Segal back from the brink of death (had fallen ill while captive).
The Admiral decides to push passed several skirmishes (leaving warparties of his own to handle the Iharana parties) with his main force and attack the heart of the conflict – Iharana. The battle does not go well, his force – of about 300 – is repelled (his ships were delayed and although they do eventually arrive to blockade Iharana they were too late to assist in the initial assault). Admiral Bonny is taken captive (2).
Thomas Kelly dies. He was hosting a gathering of merchants and city council members from Fort Dauphin – an attempt to boost and sure up the Kelly influence in Fort Dauphin which had been on the decline in recent years. During the gathering Thomas complained of dizziness, which was laughingly blamed on being in his cups, but soon after he became violently ill and collapsed to the floor. The smart fled the house, the brave rushed to his aide, the dim witted stood and watched. Among his convulsions Thomas is able to call for his foremen. In the rush and madness three people are killed, and all whom remained in the house are arrested. Although he seems to have vomited up most of the poison, he complains of numb limbs, and a stomach and throat too raw and burning to take in food. He lingers for three days before falling into a deep sleep. His last breath was taken on March the 5th, just after 3am. Grace was at his bedside. Although messages were sent to Forecastle informing Brigit, she does not arrive until the 8th of March.
Thomas was burned at sea.
Despite the fact that by all the loyal captains and people of Jamestown Thomas had been grooming Grace to be the new head of the family and faction it was Brigit who began giving orders. There would be no retaliation against Fort Dauphin. The captive merchants and city council members of Fort Dauphin would be released.
Thomas’ killer is never discovered (3).
Although Brigit remained in Jamestown for the time being, her son Edward and family returned to Forecastle.
April 1816:
The capture of the Admiral halts the Betsimiraka -Iharana Feud. King Boabuana assumes command of the pirate army – although his authority is soon questioned and there is some infighting. The situation is further complicated after the Council is informed.
May 1816:
First letters began to arrive, and soon after actual Council Members began showing up, at the siege of Iharana. Robert Devereaux (rep. Fort D.), arriving with 200 Fort D. pirates, demands to lead the attack. David Lima (rep. Kaominina) argued for command – stating his close ties with Iharana. Braratta (rep. Manakara) claimed it was time to negotiate. Tamotakana (rep. for the Elder Council of Morondava), also arriving with warriors, felt his leadership would win the day.
Things within Iharana weren’t going well either. Infighting was developing as the siege continued and the lack of any direct leadership.
The situation on the Bowen Islands settled back into a tense status quo. Vicar Segal, with much of his health back, worked hard to establish a lasting peace. In the end he helped form a triumvirate – Bourbon sent a captain by the name of Vincent da Molin; much of the life outside of the walls of Fort Hendrick were still in shambles so it was Tobias Taylor who was elected by his closest friends and allies; for the third Vicar Segal wrote to Thomas Kelly to request a representative for the Main-Island (4).
Around the 20th of May Jamestown was hit by raiders – five ships, flying flags of red with a black crescent, ships of Hiriz…but crewed by Kaominan pirates. The attack was poorly planned – the town was bustling with Kelly pirates (they had been arriving to pay their respects to the family, and then being held over by Brigit for reason she had not yet divulged). Although there was damage done, to ships, several buildings set on fire, the raid made away with very little of value – and probably would have been chased down and captured if not for Brigit’s insistence that they be allowed to leave.
The next night, under cover of darkness – and some say heavy sedation – Brigit had Grace taken out of Jamestown and sent to Forecastle.
Ten days later, under pressure from locals and captains – for there were rumors that Brigit was abandoning Jamestown, and the whereabouts of Grace was unknown – Brigit held a meeting with the Kelly loyalists. She took no questions and made only a handful of statements. She was indeed leaving Jamestown – the Kelly estate had in fact been mostly boxed up and closed up. She sent Grace to Forecastle for her own protection. That she expected the same level of loyalty out of the captains as they, their fathers, and their father’s before them, had given to the Kellys. And, that it was time this tit-for-tat fighting came to an end. “We can no longer go on as a people if all we do is fight among ourselves for every little slight.” To that end she had sent bribes north to Kaominina and Iharana to pay off the rivals. She ordered her captains not to engage in any more piracy and that retaliation against any other faction for the death of Thomas or the attacks on Jamestown would mean a forfeit of all wealth and goods and death. The Kelly focus would be on trade – there was a demand for food and goods in the world and she would make sure the Kelly’s profited from that. The Jamestown pirates would now act as escorts for the Kelly trade ships – which she planned on increasing the number of. She appoints her son Edward as the new Jamestown Representative to the Council of Captains (5). She lastly informs them that she has drafted a letter stating the withdraw of the Kellys from the vicious cycle of piracy to the Admiral.
And that was it. She left the meeting and Jamestown right after this. But, not before turning the Kelly spy network in on Jamestown. It seems she was not completely above all pirate tactics. As a means to enforce this new edict – and ram peace down the throats of her pirates – she had her own people watched. As word came to her of those not following the new rules she had then beaten and removed to Nova Island – their wealth and possession afterwards belonging to her. Over the next several months over a hundred pirates, captains, and citizens vanish.
Seeing plots and defiance of her wishes all around her (and to a certain extent an inability to understand why they didn’t understand the new direction she wanted the family to go in) brought about an increasing measure of paranoia in Brigit.
Of course not all her captains were taken away for their lack of respect. Some were publicly denounced and even arrested for a lack of acceptable profit margin. This pressure for the best deal ended up forcing the continuation of the very thing Brigit was trying to change. Kelly pirates began raiding grain shipments as far away as Egypt, India, Orleans, and the United Republics – and then taking said grain, adding it to their own shipments, and charging the starving ports exuberant prices (crops were failing all over Europe during this year, making for very easy marks).
June1816:
Brigit tries to marry off Grace for the first time (eight attempts over the next few years are made to find suitors before the effort is abandoned).
The letter from Vicar Segal finds Brigit. She had none of the interest in the Bowen Islands – other than another place to sell food goods – that Thomas had. She seems to have picked a representative at complete randomness and ends up sending a little known captain by the name of Bartholomew Bagger – as well as a letter informing the Vicar of Thomas’ death.
The sound of cannons and fighting could be heard within Iharana. Several of the Council members lead their own forces into the city to find the battle well underway (David Lima of Kaominina is killed during the battle). The leadership within Iharana – what there was of it – had completely broken down. Although the fighting was confusing eventually order was restored.
The Admiral was found and released. From interrogation a number of things were learned. Bonny’s “governor” had been killed and most of the city council had been taken captive by Hiriz loyalists. The attacks on Bet lands were indeed to gain more territory, but also to draw in the Admiral in order to catch him. However, Captain Hizir never showed, or sent word on what was to be done once the Admiral had been captured (6). The lack of contact with their leader soon sparked doubt, which lead to infighting, which lead to a complete breakdown between the loyalists. They were also responsible for the attacks on Jamestown –and for encouraging Kaominina pirates to join. There was meant to be attacks on Port Mission but these orders never reached those contacts in Port Mission.
Admiral Bonny begins dismantling the Hizir faction (one of the first to hang was Council Member Devon Kane – after his loyalties to Hizir are discovered). First by public executions in Iharana and then, after returning to Port Mission, making many arrests and even more public executions. However, before leaving Iharana Admiral Bonny makes another discovery – the whereabouts of his niece Abigail. Her husband, James Norbert, is found to be one of the Hizir loyalists. He is hung. Abigail is found locked up in a cellar room – at the time of her discovery she hadn’t eaten for at least two days. She is brought back to health, but refuses to be sent home via ship and insists on traveling over land to get back to Fort Dauphin.
July 1816:
Vicar Segal begins his journey home to the cloister of Antananarivo.
August 1816:
Abigail Bonny detours her traveling contingent to Antananarivo. There she speaks with the Vicar and asks to stay, to become an acolyte. Although the Vicar is faced with some resistance to allowing her to seclude herself, to study, he sees no reason in either the Lussian Bible or the Codex to refuses her her request.
Word is sent on to Fort Dauphin and Oliver Bonny informing him of Abigail request and the Vicar’s decision.
Paulien Tibbs and Richard Jones (runaways in Capetown) have their first child, Henry. At this time they are secretly wed, with Richard taking the name Tibbs (7).
September – December 1816:
Christopher Bonny returns – although full of battle stories, not all of his captains were happy. It seems that Christopher had followed his orders to the letter, staging hit and run attacks on the English. Part of this plan was that Christopher had his fleet lay in hiding for weeks at a time sometimes. Others found his cruelty a bit over zealous – particularly among women.
Admiral Bonny sets Christopher and Robert Devereaux (as well as his “governors”) to the task of weeding out any further Hiriz faction loyalists around Madagascar. Arrests become common place, and passing information on your fellow pirate becomes a profitable side job as the Admiral paid well.
==========
Notes:
1) Tobias Taylor: he is one of the last surviving descendent of the famous John Taylor (1701-1750), and the once mighty Taylor faction. His wife’s name is Marabelle, and they have a son, Dorian.
2) Admiral captive: he learns while captive that his governor is dead, and that the city council was now, and has been for some time, loyal to Hizir.
3) Thomas never avenged: the assassin who killed Thomas is never found, nor is it ever fully discovered who was behind the murder. There were and are still many suspects from Hizir, to the city council of Kaominina, to the Bonnys – or even the Admiral himself.
4) The letter Thomas never read: despite the on and off relationship between the Kellys and Vicar Segal, it was the Vicar who sought out the Kellys to up hold the peace he had crafted. Perhaps it was in thanks for Thomas’ interest in the islands (food shipments had made a difference), or perhaps it was that the Kellys were a long standing faction and were capable of defending and maintaining the peace on the Bowen Islands, or perhaps it was he just trusted the Kellys a little bit more than he trusted the Bonnys.
5) Edward Kelly: Brigit’s choice to appoint her son as Jamestown’s representative to the Council does not go over well with anyone. Her son didn’t want the appointment. Jamestown was already furious with her over her other actions and now she had appointed someone who A) doesn’t live in Jamestown, and B) who hasn’t visited Jamestown since his early childhood. The Admiral and rest of the Council did not approve of the appointment because Edward was not a captain, nor had he ever captained, nor had he ever been on a ship as far as anyone could remember.
6) Hayreddin Hizir: despite his plans for taking over, and his placement of loyalists in key pirate locations, his failure to appoint a single leader in Iharana and the failure of his attack order to reach Port Mission ultimately brought about the end of his rise to power. The Gumus Kol is sunk early in the year battling an Ethiopian galleon and never even hears about the capture of Admiral Bonny.
Oops, sorry. Thanks for pointing that out.
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7) Richard Tibbs: his cousin/wife, Paulien was a Tibbs, so too was his mother. He had an admiration for the Tibbs/Kelly history, despite the recent falling out. In addition he and his father, Mathew Jones - a former laborer - never got along. The Jones name was a slave name as far as Richard was concerned.
As to Muslims in Russia: There was a large minority in Russia mostly in the Volga region, in the lands between the Caspian and Black Sea, and along the Urals.
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7) Richard Tibbs: his cousin/wife, Paulien was a Tibbs, so too was his mother. He had an admiration for the Tibbs/Kelly history, despite the recent falling out. In addition he and his father, Mathew Jones - a former laborer - never got along. The Jones name was a slave name as far as Richard was concerned.
As to Muslims in Russia: There was a large minority in Russia mostly in the Volga region, in the lands between the Caspian and Black Sea, and along the Urals.
Well, I know, I just wasn't sure what territories Russia holds ITTL.
For what reason did Russia do this? It goes against the grain of Russian policy IOTL, which was to leave conquered people to their religion, as long as they submitted to the Tsar. Also, expelling the Muslims will be hard to pull off - it will mean employing, and giving free rein to, the Cossacks, who were unreliable and may as well rise against the Tsar, as they did before, and even then it will be difficult for Russia to police the Steppe girdle before the advent of trains, motor cars and airplanes. It also puts a big nail in the coffin of further expansion in Central Asia - the Kazakhs won't be ready to voluntarily join a Russian empire (as they did IOTL) that expels Muslims.
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Alexander blames the Muslims in the region for his many losses during the recent war with the Ottomans (and something I now realize that I forgot to mention before). Alexander was certain the only reason why so many fortified positions were taken by the Ottoman was due to Muslims switching allegiances and spying for the Ottomans. And besides, the order is more for show than anything else - as you say, it would be hard to pull off. OTL he tried to expel the Jesuits with...as I recall, I could be wrong...not much success. So, in short - it is an angry, desperate move by a tsar who's already lost a war (and St. Petersburg) to the Finnish alliance.
Do you think it still unlikely...? It's just a small thing (in regards to the TL as a whole), I don't mind editing it out if the consensus is it's too unlikely.
If it's just the Tsar giving out an Ukaz in a fit of rage and nobody seriously starts implementing it, that could happen - but it would be another nail in the coffin for Alexander's prestige. If he goes about implementing it, he'll get serious unrest, probably will fail, and he'll destroy any chance of getting the Kazakh steppe peacefully as IOTL.
The point is exactly that it's a sentence in your short "Rest of the World" summary - as it is worded now, it looks like Alexander is able to effectively implement it. If it's a failed attempt, you ought to state it.
1817
United Republics: King Adams presides over several sessions of the Congress in person. The lands gained during the recent war with England were too vast to allow admittance into the Union as a whole – action needed to be taken now, to do nothing would invite others to seed those lands. He begins a series of negotiations and deals which come to be called the Quebec Compromise. In essence: The less populated and wild Ontario Territory would be broken up into baronies with state designations to come later. The lands of Quebec, specifically the lands along the St. Lawrence, would be divided into state republics only.
Russian Empire: Alexander I of Russia is murdered, poisoned (a soldier in his personal guard is charged with the attack, but he dies before any information can be obtained). Two contenders vie for the Russian throne, Alexander’s brothers Constantine and Nicholas. Constantine is elder, but has little interest in the throne – it is largely believed that he is convinced by his closest friends and military commanders to take the throne simply to keep Nicholas, or someone worse, from gaining it. Nicholas, tired of living in the shadow of his brothers, sees it has his right.
Brazilian Empire (Portugal - in exile): Pedro I waste no time in getting involved in world politics. He saw any Spanish interference in region as dangerous. He begins sending spies into Spanish held territory in the hopes of stirring up rebellion.
Venice: seeks a truce with the Ottomans. Serbian Revolt continues.
Spain: an empire in revolt – there is hardly an area claimed by Spain which isn’t in unrest or open revolt. The various rebellions aided by French, Brazilian, and Napoleon agents and money.
January-February 1817:
Admiral Bonny continues his purge of the Hizir loyalists – with Iharana and Kaominina taking the brunt of the arrests and hangings.
A bit of a scandal in the Bonny Family – Samuel’s daughter Talitha is found to be pregnant by a serving boy who was about two years her younger (1). The Admiral tries to hide this fact, but when word gets out he calls it an attempted plot by the Hizirs to get in close to his family in order to commit murder.
Jamestown is raided on the night of the 2nd of February. The attack came from land and although the town Foremen were able to drive off the attackers several people were killed, several more were taken captive, a sliver shop was nearly emptied, and a dozen sacks of grain were stolen from a Kelly storehouse.
A Kelly supply ship heading to Nova Island is attacked, but the timely arrival of ships out from Nova Island chased away the rouge pirate.
A Kelly galleon is marked as overdue and then listed as missing (it is later spotted in Fort Dauphin now belonging to Adam Tam, a local pirate with three other loyal ships).
Edward Kelly, under pressure from his mother, visits Port Mission to speak with the Admiral about the attacks and their stolen ship (he travels to Jamestown and orders the Headless King to take him to Port Mission). The Admiral at first won’t even see Edward, but after two days relents and speaks with him. The Admiral dismisses the charges of theft stating the ship was probably honestly attacked and seized. As far as he was concerned the Kellys had 1 of 3 options: 1) Bloody the Tams, 2) steal it back, 3) or, if something else gets stolen by the Tams the Kellys had grounds for a feud. Edward didn’t even get a chance to speak about the other attacks before being dismissed. Edward left without argument – he had to pay for passage home on one of the Bonny steam ships as the Headless King had abandoned him in Port Mission.
March 1817:
Vicar Segal dies. He breaks from the former vicars by naming no successor – feeling it was not the role of the law and faith keepers to be hereditary. “I have all the confidence in the Clergy to use their wisdom and knowledge to elect one whom will be able to guide and interpret our laws.” Issac Segal’s body is placed in a sacred log which had been prepared for his passing. He asked for no tomb to be built to him – saying the expense was unnecessary and the money would be better spent elsewhere. However, despite these wishes, a modest memorial was undertaken. Adjacent to the cloister he had commissioned and saw built a small tomb was dug out, large enough for his ceremonial log (2). Pilgrims from all over Madagascar traveled to pay their respects.
April – June 1817:
Vicar Segal had unwittingly created a problem for the priests, acolytes, and novices. There was no system in place to pick a new vicar. In the past the sitting vicar would appoint a successor, whereupon said person would be acknowledged by the Advising Council of acolytes as the new vicar upon the sitting vicar’s death. Other than the Pierson Incident (1749) this method had worked. However, the Clergy was much larger now than it had been under any of the previous Transitions (3). It wasn’t long before the first arguments arose; who was eligible to vote? Who could be considered for the position?
There was an argument made that anyone making the trip to Antananarivo should be allowed a vote and consideration for the position. Others felt it was the job of the most educated among them to vote and be eligible. For others academics was not the point of the vicar and that only the priests among the people should be allowed to vote and be eligible for the position. The only thing any of them agreed upon was that novices had no voice in this matter.
By June it became generally agreed upon that anyone making the trip to Antananarivo would be given their say – however, hardly half were given serious consideration by the consensus due to age, years of service, size of congregation, lacking knowledge in one or the other of the Codex or the Lussian Bible. In the end the ranks of Clergy were whittled down to 12. They would argue among themselves until a majority, plus one, supported a single person (4).
On the 21st of June Edgar Ricchar is elected vicar by the majority of the twelve. Ricchar was an acolyte under Vicar Clemmons, later sent to be the Port Mission priest in 1807. In 1811 he was asked by Vicar Segal to choose from among those in his service to sit on the Council of Captains as official scribe (5). In Port Mission he was known as being more of a pirate than a priest – when asked, or interjecting himself, into disputes his judgments were often harsh and never without taking a percentage for himself…and the Clergy.
July 1817:
Less than a month into his new office, Vicar Ricchar dismisses Abigail Bonny from the cloister – describing her as a distraction. A passionate plea by her and other priests and acolytes allows Abigail to maintain her access to the books collected under Vicars Clemmons and Segal. Abigail is able to remain in Antananarivo thanks to a small stipend sent by her father, but never will she be an official acolyte or priest.
Anne (Bonny) and Robert Devereaux have their third child, Robert.
August – December 1817:
Vicar Ricchar holds onto the right granted to him by Vicar Segal and appoints a new scribe for the Council of Captains. The new Vicar spends the next few months going over the Clergy list, shuffling priests around, and appointing new ones. His first change was appointing his long time friend Nolen Kent to be Port Mission’s priest and replacing the acolyte Jonathan McMahon (who was administering to the people of New Mission – now part of the kingdom of the Zulu) with a priest by the name of Michael Nob.
Vicar Ricchar created an enemies list nearly overnight. He named several people numerous times in his journals for their lack of respect and what he considered slights against his honor. He named Admiral Bonny several times – mainly because the admiral never made the trip to Antananarivo to congratulate the vicar on his appointment (although Bonny did introduce the new vicar at the Founders Day celebration in Port Mission).
In October Talitha gives birth to a baby girl she names Ragita – Samuel does not seem to have been happy about this for he notes in his journal, “…insult to injury, it’s a girl.”
Through October and November Jamestown and Kelly ships are plagued by attacks. Forecastle is even hit by a few of these. Despite the order to not engage in petty feuding the captains and people of Jamestown begin to take matters into their own hands, sometimes chasing down the attackers, some wrote letters to Morondava requesting help, other letters found their way to the Admiral. Sometimes these actions escaped the notice Brigit’s spies and sometimes not. Those not so lucky as to go unnoticed are arrested and sent to Nova Island.
It is Rebecca Jones (Queen of Nova Island) who takes it upon herself to do what safe guarding she can for the family and loyalists. She begins sending out ships to patrol near Jamestown and has the Rampage ply the main-island coast as a show of force (6).
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Notes:
1) Talitha Bonny: born of Ara, an Egyptian (see 1801). Little is heard of Talitha for the first 15 or 16 years of her life on Madagascar. She is largely ignored by her father, giving over her care to the favorite companion/prostitute of the day, or acting as a punishment to subordinates. She was schooled at the Bonny School in Port Mission as well as private tutors – considered bright and manipulative by many. With her pregnancy being discovered it also unearthed something which was only whispered about by the inhabitants of Port Mission. Although she managed to keep her action a secret from her father for about a year and half it was nonetheless rumored by many that Talitha enjoyed the boys. Although she named Patrick “little foot” as having gotten her pregnant other serving boys, captains, Foremen, crewmen had found their way into her bed chamber. Some managed to escape Samuel’s wrath, but most were hung as part of the Admiral’s greater purge of Hizir loyalists.
2) Vicar Issac Segal’s tomb: it is a very modest memorial. It is located along the west wall of the cloister in Antananarivo. It measures about ten feet deep, but twenty feet long, by ten feet wide. The walls are of stone slabs, a simple set of wooden stairs leads down into the pit. An undecorated cover stone lays over the tomb with a single standing stone nearby.
3) Clergy size: prior to the Clemmons Period the Clergy had remained small and largely unorganized. There were about a dozen priests, less than ten acolytes, and perhaps three or four novices. Towards the end of Clemmons time as vicar and certainly by the start of Segal’s time there was an explosion in the number of members in the Clergy. By Vicar Segal’s death there were about 40 priests, between 20 and 30 acolytes, and about 20 novices.
4) God’s Choice: although it was agreed that a novice had neither the education nor the following to ascend to the rank of vicar they were however given a chance to have their say. It was decided during the proceedings to pick Segal’s successor that if the final 12 were to be deadlocked then a God’s Choice would be chosen. The names of all in attendance at the Transition would be placed in a barrel, one name would be pulled, be that person a citizen pirate, novice, priest, or acolyte, they would have from sundown to sunup to pick from among the 12 (the God’s Choice would be secluded in the cloister while they meditated on the issue).
5) Official scribe: a scribe had been on the Council of Captains since the civil war, although not always in use during a meeting. Vicar Segal realized that his attentions were too varied to keep watch on the Council and whether or not they were using the appointed scribe so he bestowed the honor of picking and keeping track of said scribe on the local priest – Edgar Ricchar.
6) The Rampage: serving for the first time on any ship were John Tibbs and Harold Jones. John is the son of Gisela and Harold Tibbs III – Gisela was the laborer Harold bought to watch Paulien, Gislea later became Harold’s lover, giving him two sons, John and Jason. Harold is the son of Rebecca (Tibbs) Jones and Mathew Jones - Mathew, also a laborer who made good by catching the eye and later marrying Rebecca Tibbs.
United Republics: King Adams presides over several sessions of the Congress in person. The lands gained during the recent war with England were too vast to allow admittance into the Union as a whole – action needed to be taken now, to do nothing would invite others to seed those lands. He begins a series of negotiations and deals which come to be called the Quebec Compromise. In essence: The less populated and wild Ontario Territory would be broken up into baronies with state designations to come later. The lands of Quebec, specifically the lands along the St. Lawrence, would be divided into state republics only.
Russian Empire: Alexander I of Russia is murdered, poisoned (a soldier in his personal guard is charged with the attack, but he dies before any information can be obtained). Two contenders vie for the Russian throne, Alexander’s brothers Constantine and Nicholas. Constantine is elder, but has little interest in the throne – it is largely believed that he is convinced by his closest friends and military commanders to take the throne simply to keep Nicholas, or someone worse, from gaining it. Nicholas, tired of living in the shadow of his brothers, sees it has his right.
Brazilian Empire (Portugal - in exile): Pedro I waste no time in getting involved in world politics. He saw any Spanish interference in region as dangerous. He begins sending spies into Spanish held territory in the hopes of stirring up rebellion.
Venice: seeks a truce with the Ottomans. Serbian Revolt continues.
Spain: an empire in revolt – there is hardly an area claimed by Spain which isn’t in unrest or open revolt. The various rebellions aided by French, Brazilian, and Napoleon agents and money.
January-February 1817:
Admiral Bonny continues his purge of the Hizir loyalists – with Iharana and Kaominina taking the brunt of the arrests and hangings.
A bit of a scandal in the Bonny Family – Samuel’s daughter Talitha is found to be pregnant by a serving boy who was about two years her younger (1). The Admiral tries to hide this fact, but when word gets out he calls it an attempted plot by the Hizirs to get in close to his family in order to commit murder.
Jamestown is raided on the night of the 2nd of February. The attack came from land and although the town Foremen were able to drive off the attackers several people were killed, several more were taken captive, a sliver shop was nearly emptied, and a dozen sacks of grain were stolen from a Kelly storehouse.
A Kelly supply ship heading to Nova Island is attacked, but the timely arrival of ships out from Nova Island chased away the rouge pirate.
A Kelly galleon is marked as overdue and then listed as missing (it is later spotted in Fort Dauphin now belonging to Adam Tam, a local pirate with three other loyal ships).
Edward Kelly, under pressure from his mother, visits Port Mission to speak with the Admiral about the attacks and their stolen ship (he travels to Jamestown and orders the Headless King to take him to Port Mission). The Admiral at first won’t even see Edward, but after two days relents and speaks with him. The Admiral dismisses the charges of theft stating the ship was probably honestly attacked and seized. As far as he was concerned the Kellys had 1 of 3 options: 1) Bloody the Tams, 2) steal it back, 3) or, if something else gets stolen by the Tams the Kellys had grounds for a feud. Edward didn’t even get a chance to speak about the other attacks before being dismissed. Edward left without argument – he had to pay for passage home on one of the Bonny steam ships as the Headless King had abandoned him in Port Mission.
March 1817:
Vicar Segal dies. He breaks from the former vicars by naming no successor – feeling it was not the role of the law and faith keepers to be hereditary. “I have all the confidence in the Clergy to use their wisdom and knowledge to elect one whom will be able to guide and interpret our laws.” Issac Segal’s body is placed in a sacred log which had been prepared for his passing. He asked for no tomb to be built to him – saying the expense was unnecessary and the money would be better spent elsewhere. However, despite these wishes, a modest memorial was undertaken. Adjacent to the cloister he had commissioned and saw built a small tomb was dug out, large enough for his ceremonial log (2). Pilgrims from all over Madagascar traveled to pay their respects.
April – June 1817:
Vicar Segal had unwittingly created a problem for the priests, acolytes, and novices. There was no system in place to pick a new vicar. In the past the sitting vicar would appoint a successor, whereupon said person would be acknowledged by the Advising Council of acolytes as the new vicar upon the sitting vicar’s death. Other than the Pierson Incident (1749) this method had worked. However, the Clergy was much larger now than it had been under any of the previous Transitions (3). It wasn’t long before the first arguments arose; who was eligible to vote? Who could be considered for the position?
There was an argument made that anyone making the trip to Antananarivo should be allowed a vote and consideration for the position. Others felt it was the job of the most educated among them to vote and be eligible. For others academics was not the point of the vicar and that only the priests among the people should be allowed to vote and be eligible for the position. The only thing any of them agreed upon was that novices had no voice in this matter.
By June it became generally agreed upon that anyone making the trip to Antananarivo would be given their say – however, hardly half were given serious consideration by the consensus due to age, years of service, size of congregation, lacking knowledge in one or the other of the Codex or the Lussian Bible. In the end the ranks of Clergy were whittled down to 12. They would argue among themselves until a majority, plus one, supported a single person (4).
On the 21st of June Edgar Ricchar is elected vicar by the majority of the twelve. Ricchar was an acolyte under Vicar Clemmons, later sent to be the Port Mission priest in 1807. In 1811 he was asked by Vicar Segal to choose from among those in his service to sit on the Council of Captains as official scribe (5). In Port Mission he was known as being more of a pirate than a priest – when asked, or interjecting himself, into disputes his judgments were often harsh and never without taking a percentage for himself…and the Clergy.
July 1817:
Less than a month into his new office, Vicar Ricchar dismisses Abigail Bonny from the cloister – describing her as a distraction. A passionate plea by her and other priests and acolytes allows Abigail to maintain her access to the books collected under Vicars Clemmons and Segal. Abigail is able to remain in Antananarivo thanks to a small stipend sent by her father, but never will she be an official acolyte or priest.
Anne (Bonny) and Robert Devereaux have their third child, Robert.
August – December 1817:
Vicar Ricchar holds onto the right granted to him by Vicar Segal and appoints a new scribe for the Council of Captains. The new Vicar spends the next few months going over the Clergy list, shuffling priests around, and appointing new ones. His first change was appointing his long time friend Nolen Kent to be Port Mission’s priest and replacing the acolyte Jonathan McMahon (who was administering to the people of New Mission – now part of the kingdom of the Zulu) with a priest by the name of Michael Nob.
Vicar Ricchar created an enemies list nearly overnight. He named several people numerous times in his journals for their lack of respect and what he considered slights against his honor. He named Admiral Bonny several times – mainly because the admiral never made the trip to Antananarivo to congratulate the vicar on his appointment (although Bonny did introduce the new vicar at the Founders Day celebration in Port Mission).
In October Talitha gives birth to a baby girl she names Ragita – Samuel does not seem to have been happy about this for he notes in his journal, “…insult to injury, it’s a girl.”
Through October and November Jamestown and Kelly ships are plagued by attacks. Forecastle is even hit by a few of these. Despite the order to not engage in petty feuding the captains and people of Jamestown begin to take matters into their own hands, sometimes chasing down the attackers, some wrote letters to Morondava requesting help, other letters found their way to the Admiral. Sometimes these actions escaped the notice Brigit’s spies and sometimes not. Those not so lucky as to go unnoticed are arrested and sent to Nova Island.
It is Rebecca Jones (Queen of Nova Island) who takes it upon herself to do what safe guarding she can for the family and loyalists. She begins sending out ships to patrol near Jamestown and has the Rampage ply the main-island coast as a show of force (6).
------------------------
Notes:
1) Talitha Bonny: born of Ara, an Egyptian (see 1801). Little is heard of Talitha for the first 15 or 16 years of her life on Madagascar. She is largely ignored by her father, giving over her care to the favorite companion/prostitute of the day, or acting as a punishment to subordinates. She was schooled at the Bonny School in Port Mission as well as private tutors – considered bright and manipulative by many. With her pregnancy being discovered it also unearthed something which was only whispered about by the inhabitants of Port Mission. Although she managed to keep her action a secret from her father for about a year and half it was nonetheless rumored by many that Talitha enjoyed the boys. Although she named Patrick “little foot” as having gotten her pregnant other serving boys, captains, Foremen, crewmen had found their way into her bed chamber. Some managed to escape Samuel’s wrath, but most were hung as part of the Admiral’s greater purge of Hizir loyalists.
2) Vicar Issac Segal’s tomb: it is a very modest memorial. It is located along the west wall of the cloister in Antananarivo. It measures about ten feet deep, but twenty feet long, by ten feet wide. The walls are of stone slabs, a simple set of wooden stairs leads down into the pit. An undecorated cover stone lays over the tomb with a single standing stone nearby.
3) Clergy size: prior to the Clemmons Period the Clergy had remained small and largely unorganized. There were about a dozen priests, less than ten acolytes, and perhaps three or four novices. Towards the end of Clemmons time as vicar and certainly by the start of Segal’s time there was an explosion in the number of members in the Clergy. By Vicar Segal’s death there were about 40 priests, between 20 and 30 acolytes, and about 20 novices.
4) God’s Choice: although it was agreed that a novice had neither the education nor the following to ascend to the rank of vicar they were however given a chance to have their say. It was decided during the proceedings to pick Segal’s successor that if the final 12 were to be deadlocked then a God’s Choice would be chosen. The names of all in attendance at the Transition would be placed in a barrel, one name would be pulled, be that person a citizen pirate, novice, priest, or acolyte, they would have from sundown to sunup to pick from among the 12 (the God’s Choice would be secluded in the cloister while they meditated on the issue).
5) Official scribe: a scribe had been on the Council of Captains since the civil war, although not always in use during a meeting. Vicar Segal realized that his attentions were too varied to keep watch on the Council and whether or not they were using the appointed scribe so he bestowed the honor of picking and keeping track of said scribe on the local priest – Edgar Ricchar.
6) The Rampage: serving for the first time on any ship were John Tibbs and Harold Jones. John is the son of Gisela and Harold Tibbs III – Gisela was the laborer Harold bought to watch Paulien, Gislea later became Harold’s lover, giving him two sons, John and Jason. Harold is the son of Rebecca (Tibbs) Jones and Mathew Jones - Mathew, also a laborer who made good by catching the eye and later marrying Rebecca Tibbs.
1818
United Republics: The Republics find themselves at odds with a former ally. As Republic ships find niches for themselves in the ports of the Far East they have become prime targets for the Malagasy pirates.
Russian Empire: Civil War begins when Constantine marches on Moscow - forcing Nicholas and his allies to flee the city.
Spanish Empire: Chile is once again in revolt – adding trouble to the already besieged empire.
Venice: Serbian Revolt is suppressed.
Ottoman Empire: Muhamd II begins an overhaul of his empire starting with military reforms. He grants his local administrators and military leaders of his African holdings greater autonomy.
England: Domestic and military attention is brought back to Africa as this year marks an increase in border scuffles between Lunda and the Zulu. There were also several flash points of tribal unrest to the trade and use of opium (tribal leaders were bucking against, what seemed to them, as the forcing of their people onto a drug which dulled the wits). England had been attempting, over the last few years, to increase its trade in opium, but as the Vijayanagara Empire was largely administered by France and French trading companies this has been difficult. The suppression of a small, but violent, revolt among the mostly Dutch farmers in South Africa.
January 1818:
There were a number of non-pirate ships whom braved the Malagasy ports in order to trade – most of these were French and Ethiopian. However, this year two visitations of note were made to Madagascar:
The first was an emissary from Shaka. A small contingent of warriors and holymen made the journey to Jamestown looking for trade. They wanted weapons. However, although the city council was willing to deal with them, Brigit sent word that she would speak with them. She made the concession to come to Jamestown – and kept city council and the envoy waiting for three days. Upon her arrival she had one meeting with them, whereupon she repeatedly mistook them for Lundanese – and commented on how barbarous they appeared, even for Lundanese. In the end, she said she saw no profit in dealing with them as they had nothing of value to trade. “Come back with more than just your hands out and we’ll talk.” And promptly dismissed them all – a full Foremen guard escorting them back to their ship.
(although the Admiral must have been aware of this - he did still have a governor in Jamestown - he seems to have made no comment on it)
The second visitation was an English flotilla. Its coming was warned by Marsh Island, but very little was otherwise done. Admiral Bonny did order several sloops off of their normal hunts in order to investigate. The flotilla, under the command of Admiral William Wright, made for the Bowen Islands – and, much like the pirate takeover – met with little resistance.
The ease of the attack, in many ways, mirrored what took place in 1783 with the first English invasion. Under cover of darkness, with the aid of inside help, the Hendrick gates were opened and English soldiers marched in. The dock was taken with only the sinking of one English ship and the loss of 125 enemy soldiers. Vincent da Molin and Bartholomew Bagger were hauled out of their beds and hung (two of the three members of the triumvirate Segal setup). Tobias Taylor (third member of the triumvirate) was leading their arrest and is said to have pulled the lever dropping them to their doom. The following day Harleem fell. After that the English found a long list of pirate volunteers open to switching loyalties back to the English – some of these captains and crews were accepted, most were either bought off, or replaced.
Samuel Bonny calls the Council of Captains to Port Mission. The meeting did not go well for the Admiral. He drew anger from his Council when he told them there would be no rescue of the Bowen Islands. The refusal of the Kellys to pledge their ships (said through Edward, but it was Brigit’s words) – an act that shown poorly on both the Kellys and the admiral. Edward stated that his ships would be better suited to protecting the trade lines and the southern and western regions. He was openly called coward by Robert Devereaux and Braratta (further damaging his reputation as Edward did not take up any of their challenges).
There were few ships the admiral could rely on coming out of the north either, as both Kaominina and Iharana were still recovering from the Hizir Incident (Iharana had no city council, the town was run by Bonny Foremen and loyalists who ruled lawlessly, and many of Kaominina active pirates had fled during the Hizir Purge). The Elder Council of the Sakalava sided against the admiral – although a bit more diplomatically – citing the need for ships to protect the north as the region was still reeling from the Hizir Purdge. Still, despite the hits to the Admiral’s clout he had the ships of Fort Dauphin, Manakara, Toamasina, his own loyalists, and Post Mission: an initial estimate of about 35 ships, more than a match for the English flotilla.
February 1818:
Kora Black dies in her home in New Arradon (it is thought that she drank herself to death). She is cremated, but few attend the service – Jolie Ansell (wife of the late great artist Alric Van Nelson) and less than a dozen others. Jolie falls into a deep depression and although she does recover it is a demon which surfaces from time to time for the remainder of her life.
The Admiral’s ability to raise an army was further hampered as news broke that there was no plan to rescue the Bowen Islands – also as rumors sped about the defiance of both Jamestown and Morondava. People were sensing a change in the wind and that always meant trouble. Many pirates of lesser standing, marginal loyalties to the larger factions, and citizens in general (who were expected to divert their resources to the war effort) were suddenly less cooperative or not to be found at all. Bonny had estimated he had 35 ships to easily brush away the English flotilla. As the fleet gathered in Port Mission he found his force to be far less (he doesn’t comment on how many ship, but the guess is about 20).
Admiral Bonny had no intention on fighting the English around the Bowen Islands – his initially plan was to take his fleet and draw the English into doing battle near the shallows, shoals, and reefs the pirates had spent the last 100 years mapping. As it turned out the battle would be brought to him.
An early morning alert is sounded in Port Mission on February the 13th. The English were coming. It would be a test for the defenses around Mission Island which the Bonnys had mostly paid for and had yet to have a proper testing. The pirate fleet was still gathering at this time and Bonny had only 10 warships.
The Sea Bird, a 20-gun brigantine, exploded first – a long distance shot which found the Sea Bird’s magazine (at a distance of 2 miles).
The pirate fleet scattered in the face of the wind and the English long nines. Falling back to the southern end of Mission Island as the English ships swooped in from north to south in a line of battle. English long ships were sent ashore – at this time, Admiral Bonny, in command of the land defenses, ordered his cannons to open fire. He targeted the long ships.
As the English flotilla came to the southern tip of the island they found the pirate fleet not scattered but waiting. Captain Robert Devereaux had managed to rally most of the other captains, giving them a simple order – “Swarm the English”.
The pirate broadside was said to have been deafening, it was followed by the dazzling display of dozens of streaks of light (pirate rockets). The air was so fouled by smoke and sparks that for several minutes it was difficult to see more than a few feet in any direction. There were several collisions between the English ships. The pirate ships came in close with deck guns belching and grenades being slung across the gap between ships. The attack targeted the English soldiers, with keen-eyed pirates lobbing, with some success, explosives through the portholes to the lower decks.
By the time the wind cleared the air, the English battle line was in ruin, replaced by a chaotic melee – which favored the pirates.
For two hours the two sides battled. Although the English long ships landed on Mission Island, and fighting took place at the outskirts of Port Mission, ultimately all of the English marines were either killed or captured. Eventually it was the dwindling supplies which brought the naval battle to a close. Pirate ships began to fall back, having captured only two English ships during the battle, and sinking three others, and running low on munitions.
As the battle began to dissolve the commanders of the English flotilla brought their ships in close to assess. Admiral William Wright, 2nd Duke of Leeds, commander of the English navy against the pirates – he wanted to bottle the pirates up, blockade the town. Rear Admiral Robert Collingwood, a veteran of the war against the pirates (he was a young captain in 1785 during the early stages of this long conflict, serving many tours in the region against piracy) – he advised caution and suggested they fall back and hit the pirates along the coast so they could land troops. Admiral Wright won out and had the fleet sail around the tip of Mission Island and come up on Port Mission (1).
The defenses around the city were too strong for the English ships to make their blockade tight enough to matter. Landing troops was as difficult as it had been earlier in the day. After two days of shelling the city and being shelled, the English were forced to retreat as the bottled pirate fleet began to push out, and new pirate ships began arriving.
March 1818:
Admiral Bonny guesses that the next attack will come at Fort Dauphin – besides the fact that it was what the English did the last time, but that Fort D. was the wealthiest city the pirates had. He took a chance and sailed with his fleet south, and taking the advice of Devereaux, split the fleet. He set some out to sea, others he left along the coast in small coves, the bulk he kept just out of sight just west of Fort Dauphin.
He guessed right. Admiral Wright came at Fort Dauphin on the 10th of March, another dawn attack. Admiral Bonny allowed the English to get well invested into the assault and then moved his fleet in. First came the ships he led, as his first broadsides fired a rocket was let loose, signaling Devereaux and Braratta to bring their ships from the hidden coves and at sea. This time the pirates had the wind at their backs, and, their ships usually faster than the English anyway, cut through the enemy line, swarming them with rockets, grenades, and cannon fire.
It was nearly a six hour battle, although most of the fighting took place during the first hour when the English began their assault and Bonny began his attack, followed by maneuvering and pot shots – once the pirates began to swarm the battle became fierce again around the fourth hour.
It was not a tight noose the pirates had around the English and a retreat was possible. Admiral Bonny ordered no chase, he wanted to repair his ships and plan for the next English assault.
Absent from the battle at Fort Dauphin was Christopher Bonny and his steamships. It is not clear from where the orders came (from Oliver, from the city council, or had Christopher taken it upon himself), but on March the 28th Christopher, his four steamships, and four other sailing ships approached Capetown and a secondary English fleet which had been gathering and preparing to join Admiral Wright.
It was a night battle. Christopher brought his steamships in from the southwest, the lights of the port and town were easy to target and even if someone had been alerted to the “chug-chug” of Christopher’s engines they didn’t react in time. The four steamships weren’t as heavily armed as the sailing cousins, but each carried 4 to 6 24/36-pounder carronades. Almost instantly upon the attack the English ships began making ready to sail and returned fire. The ships which made it out of port unharmed set out in the direction of the mussel blasts. Christopher’s ships, what they lacked in firepower, made up in maneuverability. As Christopher used the dark and the speed of his ships to distract the English navy, his secondary ships (under the command of Captain Benjamin James, a good friend) came up from the south and into the port proper and set it ablaze with a concentrated broadside blast.
Within three hours the battle was over. Capetown was inflames, and the English fleet was a shambles. Christopher notes his anger at not being able to raid the town – and both admonishes and thanks his friend for being the clearer of the two heads and convincing Christopher to withdraw.
April-September 1818:
There were no more assaults on Madagascar. The attacks didn’t stop however, they became open sea battles. Admiral Wright set his ships to patrolling the waters – stating, “I’m fishing for pirates”.
Christopher and his group of ships continued to harass the English closer to Africa. He raided several towns and strongholds such as Port Elizabeth and Mossel Bay.
Grace Kelly is sent to Nova Island. After yet another failed attempt to marry Grace, and her latest attempt to escape Forecastle, Brigit decides that a year in an actual prison would do her daughter some good.
A ship carrying clergy sent by Vicar Ricchar arrives in Fort Hendrick. The two priests and the acolyte are taken captive by the English commander.
October 1818:
Eventually injury would set Christopher’s ships heading back to Madagascar – Christopher himself losing his left hand and eventually his right leg below the knee. Christopher and his ships return to Fort Dauphin where he finds a summons awaiting him. Both Oliver and Christopher travel to Port Mission.
Christopher wasn’t the only captain summoned to Port Mission – a large gathering of ships and captains had arrived. Ostensibly it was a grand celebration of Founders Day and their great victories over the English. In reality it was to have private meetings with Oliver, Christopher, and his Council of Captains. The Admiral was not happy about the English still being in his backyard. Nor was he happy about Christopher taking his steamships without orders. Nor was he happy about Jamestown’s continued refusal to send ships (2).
Despite the outward scene of joy and festivities, inwardly, Admiral Bonny disbanded the Council of Captains – and would recall his governors, having Michael Cree from Jamestown shot, and the leader of his Foremen and his governors to Kaominina and Iharana dismissed from their duties.
November-December 1818:
Admiral Bonny holds the defunct Council of Captains (as well as his brother) hostage until a new Council can be seated. He sends out word that new representatives should be chosen and sent to Port Mission.
Mission Inn is taken over. The Henry family were just opening the when a group of pirates barged into the tavern (3). The family was ordered out by the leader of this group, a lesser, but ambitious, pirate by the name of Fikru Degagmanna who was looking to ratchet up his notoriety. Sebastian Henry drew a musket from behind the counter, but was cut down before he could use it. Ann and her two children, Tyr (15) and Ryan (16), fled the establishment. Soon after they leave Port Mission for Jamestown.
1819:
England/France: tension between these two empires increases over territorial and trade disputes in the Far East.
Russian Empire: the civil war continues; no major actions. Constantine continues to consolidate his hold by having those loyal to his brother arrested. Nicholas, with only a small portion of the army supporting him, moves south and east gathering support among regional leaders who had suffered under his brother’s failed rule and failed wars.
Orleans Empire: under the auspices of helping to throw off the yoke of Spanish rule, Napoleon marches into the Mexican territories (war with Spain).
Spanish Empire: War with New Orleans.
United Republics: King Adams is at the founding of two State-Republics: Ottawa, with its capital being Ottawa; and St. Lawrence, with its capital of Quebec.
January 1819:
Elections and meetings were held in all of the major strongholds around Madagascar – they were far from uninfluenced. Samuel Bonny’s money, threats, and governors (several new ones) – not to mention the hostages - made it clear the admiral’s interests. Brigit and the city council of Jamestown were told no one but a captain of repute would even be allowed to enter Mission House. Fort Dauphin was informed that the Admiral would accept no one even remotely related to him on the Council. The specter of the Admiral oversaw the complete reseating of both the city councils of Kaominina and Iharana – and then the choosing of their representatives. Even Port Mission was allowed to appoint their own representative on the Council – even though they were still not allowed a city council and technically the admiral was meant to directly oversee the people of Port Mission (4).
During the last week of January the representatives began arriving.
Brigit settled on Mathew Jones to represent Jamestown and the Kellys.
From Toamasina , King Boabuana sends a trusted advisor, Juan Invierno.
Kaominina city council appoints from their council a captain by the name of Anthony Moore.
Iharana city council appoints from their council a captain by the name of Yang Chin
Manakara city council reinstates Braratta (after consideration Admiral Bonny gives his consent).
Morondava, sends Yamillio of the Elders.
Fort Dauphin decides to appoint, in a clear show of how much respect the Kellys have lost, Adam Tam (5).
Port Mission seats a pirate captain by the name of Fikru Degagmanna.
Before even the delegates are seated Yamillio makes it known that the hostages must be released. Whereupon Admiral Bonny insisted that they were honored guests, that no harm came to them, and that they were held in Port Mission merely to serve as a changing of the guard. (The fact that the previous representatives were not harmed, and treated well – plus the addition of many glasses of wine – had the issue pass quietly, though not forgotten).
February 1819:
With the Council of Captains still in Port Mission Vicar Ricchar arrives. The Vicar wanted his priests returned to him and the English punished – news had reached him about the arrests of his priests on by the English. It was a matter Admiral Bonny wanted to let die – he regretted almost from the start ever getting involved in the Bowen Islands. The Admiral reminded the Vicar the dangers of being a pirate – interests in law and holy philosophy aside, the Vicar was still a pirate. He also stated – perhaps trying to convince himself of it too – that it was good to have so many English in the region; it made for good hunting.
Ricchar demands the full Council be given a chance to decide. The Admiral puts the matter to them, and finds out that despite his best efforts he still did not have full command of the Council as the matter was not decided unanimously. Even so, he does get the answer he wanted from them – which was, “not worth the effort.”
March 1819:
It was a mistake to send Grace to Nova Island. Almost immediately Grace and Rebecca became friends – sharing, among other things, their hatred for Brigit. Over the last several months Grace and Rebecca had been planning and insuring the loyalty of the Kelly pirates. Fearing any more time taken would allow Brigit to find out about their efforts they acted.
Grace arrives in secret back in Jamestown around the 18th of March. She has her Foremen branch out through the city over the course of a few days – quietly causing the disappearance of a number of her mother’s Foremen and suspected spies. Somehow it is discovered that Grace is back in town and Foremen loyal to Brigit storm the Kelly house assuming that is where she was hiding. It was not. In turn, the House was surrounded by those loyal to Grace. There was a brief exchange of fire, but the battle was mostly bloodless.
Not wasting time Grace gathered up her forces and marched on Forecastle. There was no attempt to hide her advance on her mother’s town, in fact Grace sent an advance guard to Brigit requesting a meeting. On the 25th of March Grace held her army outside of Forecastle – the town was barricaded and defended. For twenty minutes nothing happened and then Brigit stepped through the defenses, Edward in tow, Grace approached her mother, Rebecca along side.
Gathered from various sources, what follows is an approximation of their brief conversation:
Grace: “There can be but one captain.”
Brigit: “Will you raze this town?”
Grace: “Aye.”
Brigit: “Will you kill me to do it?”
Grace: “Aye.”
Brigit: “It is a bloody path you will lead us down then. The same your father, and every Kelly before him, has led us down.”
Grace: “The only blood will be the blood of our enemies dripping from my cutlass, mother. Are you my enemy?”
Brigit: “I’ve done all that I could to alter our course. Take the lesson.”
Grace: “I don’t want your lessons, only your loyalty – if not that, then your silence.”
Brigit: “And the town, no doubt.”
Grace: “And the town.”
Brigit returned to the town and within minutes calmed her citizens and had the barricades taken down.
Grace returned to Jamestown.
April-December 1819:
Grace tries to keep the recent family feud a secret – and even goes to the length of spreading the rumor of her own death. Her immediate concern was reposting loyal captains back on their ships or onto new ships.
Battles between English and pirate ships continues.
The Admiral accepts the offer by Fikru Degagmanna (30 years) to marry Talitha (18 years).
The issue of the Bowen Islands is brought up again – in recent months there has been a resurgence of feelings among the citizen pirates and the lesser captains to mount another assault on the islands. Admiral Bonny tries to play off the news by telling the Council to let it be known that the English ships in the area means more booty for all.
In Deccember, Fikru mentions to Samuel Bonny, in private, that there is a lot of talk concerning the Bowen Islands. To which Bonny drunkenly orders that he will hang the next man who speaks about the Bowen Islands in his presence.
1820
England/France: tension between these two empires increases over territorial and trade disputes in the Far East.
Russian Empire: the civil war continues; the first major military duel between the two factions occurs at the Battle of Tsaritsyn – Constantine’s over confidence and poor field scouting led to a major victory for Nicholas.
Spain-Orleans War: Napoleon takes Mexico City.
United Republics: King Adams steps down from office: “Being a king is a game for the young.” Although he does not appoint a successor he does Stand in Council over the proceedings to choose a new king. It is not a completely smooth transition as there was some opposition to the idea of continuing the Office of the King. Alexander Hamilton eventually prevails, by a slim margin in both the Senate and the House of Barons, and is named the new King of the United Republics (a baron of New York, who’s military, political, and personal life has had as many highs as it did lows).
Egypt: the start of the Egyptian Revival. Scholars, both national, and invited foreign intellectuals, begin the great rebirth of Egyptian history.
Ottoman Empire: Muhamd II goes to war with Persia. This same year Muhamd faces a revolt by several of his military commanders.
January 1820:
Since the death of Mary Kelly in 1791 the family had been in a slow decline – losing respect, influence, and notoriety all over the island. Thomas Kelly managed to stem some of this loss, but Brigit largely undid all of his efforts over the last few years. Grace planed on returning the family honor. With the majority of captains behind her, and all of Jamestown, she set out with six ships (the Grace, Endeavor, Cold North, Storm Shadow, Old Bones, and the Cadiz). Her first stop was Fort Dauphin. She had five of her ships hold outside the port while she docked with the Grace. She, her Foremen, and crew disembarked quickly – people ran from the streets. Grace marched on the home of Adam Tam – who, according to her informants – was in town. Tam was hauled from his house, his evening meal still being chewed. Grace gave a challenge, which he answered. The duel only lasted ten minutes before Tam was run-through. For good measure, Grace cut off his head, hands, and feet.
Before there could be any more bloodshed between the factions a whole war party of Foremen (the city council’s watch) showed up and drove off Tam’s loyalists and ordered Grace to explain herself to the city council. Which she did freely – ordering most of her men back to her ship. She explained the wrongs done against the Kellys by Tam and his faction – most of which was commonly known. The council deemed Grace had the right to her actions. Grace continued on claiming all rights to Tam’s possessions and wealth. It was granted to her, although only items and wealth which were directly owned by Tam. For their understanding Grace dropped a pouch of gold on the council table and left.
Before leaving Fort Dauphin, Grace visited Olvier Bonny to pay her respects. She did this for a couple of good reasons: The Tam faction were friends with the Bonnys, 2)Oliver’s Bonny’s had become very influential in Fort Dauphin, 3)to judge their support for a changing of the leadership in Port Mission.
Grace left Cadiz and Captain Benjamin Jones to catalogue and take control of Tam’s former possessions and ship. She departed for her next stop. She had Jones issues news to the rest of the Tam faction that they had to act now against the Kellys or accept that the feud is over (a statement the city council would later second).
February 1820:
Grace sailed to Iharana next. Here she settled accounts with several pirates.
To Captain Emma Birch of the English Blood Grace gave a choice. For her attacks on Jamestown and Jamestown ships Captain Birch could either save the life of her and that of her crew and give up the English Blood, or they could stand and fight…and then have the ship confiscated anyway. Emma gave up her ships – and was later hung by her crew for cowardness.
To Captain Aman Fasil Grace demanded the return of the Kelly trade ship he had captured as well as a suitable bribe for his life – she was granting him this chance because after the taking of the ship he had put off the crew along Ethiopia southern coast (most of which returned more or less healthy back to Jamestown) rather than kill them. Fasil agrees to her terms.
Grace’s meeting with Captain Stewart did not go as smoothly. Rather than give up his ship he fought. The fighting began at the Broken Tusk, which was said to have been very intense, before moving out into the streets, and later onto the deck of the Venture as Captain Stewart attempted to make sail. The two hour battle ended with Stewart’s death. Grace allowed what remained of his crew to go free – even granting the Venture to Stewart’s first lieutenant.
Over the next three days Grace would gain reparations from three other pirates – all of which amounted to the returning of property – or equivalent payment – and a small bribe for their lives.
There were others on her list, but they were not in port at this time. So, before leaving Grace paid a visit to the city council – which was still trying to gain strength and had done little to stop Grace’s rampage. As in Fort Dauphin, she explained her reasons and paid them a small sum for the trouble.
She did not leave Iharana yet. She led her army of pirates to the outskirts of town and homesteads further inland. At least 12 farms and plantations were burned to the ground – she accepted no payment. It was simple revenge for the stolen coco, tobacco, etc. which these pirates, turned famers and landowners, now made so much money off of.
March 1820:
Kaominina was next although here Grace only found one of the captains she sought. The rest were thought dead during the Hizir Purge or had runaway. Still, for the murder of a silver shop owner in Jamestown, this captain was killed – his ship given to the next in command.
April 1820:
Although with more yet to come, Grace returned to Jamestown to celebrate her achievements – and probably was not all that surprised to find a summons to Port Mission awaiting her. The other reason for the pause, and ignoring the summons, was the Dutch envoy in Jamestown. A group of “independent” traders were looking to buy weapons, but they wanted them sent anonymously to other parties: the Zulu, the Lunda, and rebels in South Africa. Grace agrees to the trade deal, and directs The Forge to increase production and for her ships to pillage or trade for the materials necessary to fill the order.
May – August 1820:
Grace bide her time in Jamestown hunting down the last of the pirates on her list and waiting for Admiral Bonny to make the first move.
Admiral Bonny, despite stacking the Council of Captains, was finding support to go after Grace and force her to call a end to her revenge killings – because sooner or later he felt she would come after him – very lack luster. Despite the widespread killings Grace had kept the revenge localized to those who had done the Kellys wrong over the last ten years or so. To the members of the Council the situation wasn’t in danger of flaring out of control and so they felt it should be left alone. Admiral Bonny felt differently. He called on the Council to send a message that enough was enough. Juan Invierno , Braratta, and Fikru are the only captains to commit to his cause.
The Admiral sends twelve ships to Jamestown to forcibly bring Grace Kelly back to Port Mission.
September 1820:
Invierno and Braratta sailed up to Jamestown with the full force of their ships. A landing part was sent ashore to take possession of Grace Kelly.
Grace struck first.
The pirates aboard the two long boats had hardly disembarked before they were sent scattering as a hail of lead shot began striking the sand around them. The city defenses, which were at least as good as that around Port Mission, opened up on the ships. Grace, aboard the Grace, led her ready ships away from the docks and attacked.
It was a close combat battle with ships maneuvering very little during the two hour exchange.
The Grace would not survive the attack. She took a direct hit to her aft. Grace and most of the crew managed to escape the burning wreckage.
In all, 8 of the 12 ships sent by the Admiral were either sunk or captured.
October 1820:
Word of Grace Kelly approaching Port Mission arrived on October 21st. She herself sailed into Port Mission aboard the Rampage and disembarked with fifty Foremen on October the 23rd. She arrived at Mission House as the October meeting of the Council of Captains was in session.
The Admiral spoke first. He demanded that she pay for the damage to the ships which had been sent to escort her back here. That she will return the escort ships which were captured. That she would be sent to Nova Island for her actions against Council Members Invierno and Braratta; and that she would be hung straight away if said Council members had been killed.
Grace responded by asking that she be allowed to present her gift. In walked four men. The first two were bound, but otherwise unharmed – Invierno and Braratta. The next man was Richard Gable, who was chained and gagged, and thrown to the floor – the admiral’s governor to Jamestown. The final man was Christopher Bonny – who, other than his obvious injures received during his own adventures, was perfectly fine. “Jamestown no longer recognizes you as admiral, Samuel.” At which point Matthew Jones stood up from the table and came to Grace’s side. “And we will certainly not allow ourselves to be spied on any longer.” At which point she kicked Gable. She called for a vote of confidence. With Kelly money and threats fresh in the pockets and minds of influential peoples in Kaominina, Iharana, and Fort Dauphin there was no saving Samuel Bonny.
Despite his protests Samuel was escorted from the room and put under guard in his bed chamber.
Grace and Mathew then pledged their loyalties to Christopher and immediately pushed for his appointment to the position of admiral. This was supported by the majority of the Council Members.
Grace then asked for one last favor – one which would end her revenge attacks. The new Admiral, already knowing what the request was, agreed. Kelly Foremen burst into the room and took hold of Fikru. She made a very simple statement about taking back Mission Inn and leveled her sword at his chest. However, a plea from the new admiral (probably pre arranged) and the wailing of Talitha (6) requesting clemency, stayed Grace’s final thrust. She instead had his arm held flush with the table, lifted her sword, and chopped off his right hand.
November 1820:
Samuel Bonny is set free and given a ship and a crew of his own (Samuel names his ship Revenge, 25-gun brig).
The Henry family is brought back to Port Mission and placed back in charge of the Mission Inn.
December 1820:
Samuel Bonny sails for New Mission – where he hunts for a time along the Zululand and Ethiopian coasts.
Notes:
1) Robert Collingwood: foolishly, and for reasons known only to himself, writes a letter to the Admiralty stressing his concern over how Admiral Wright was commanding. In his letter he makes note that “…the pirates are like a hydra, you can’t simply cut off a head and have done with the beast.” And, “…to assume to understand an enemy which he has never dealt with is foolish.” Despite his sound strategic advice for fighting the pirates this letter, and a subsequent letter from Admiral Wright, has Rear-Admiral Robert Collingwood removed from command and it is only his contacts in politics which saved him from a charge of treason. He retires in 1823. Coincidentally, or perhaps Collingwood’s letter did resonate with some in the halls of the Admiralty, Admiral Wright is recalled to London in 1821 and replaced by Admiral Benjamin Carter.
2) Jamestown ships: despite the official orders from Edward and Brigit some of the Jamestown pirates did help at the Port Mission battle as well as at the Fort Dauphin when it was attacked.
3) Henry Family: the Mission Inn was one of the first acquisitions by the Kellys – even before the founding of Jamestown. Off and on since taking control of the inn, and more so since the late 1790s, the establishment has been run by various captains – a kind of, thank you for your service, upon retirement for certain loyal Kelly pirates. In 1804 it was given to Edward Henry for his service and loyalty. He died in 1806 when it was passed to his son Sebastian – who took over the place just prior to a flare-up in the English/Taylor wars. Sebastian’s death in 1818 passed the inn, once the Henrys were placed back in charge, to his wife and children.
4) Samuel’s Foremen: the Foremen – paid bodyguards, as to a regular crew of a ship – were out in force during the “open” elections for Port Mission’s seat on the Council of Captains. Samuel Bonny’s money and intimidation made sure the man he wanted got the chair. And he wanted Fikru: an ambitious, semi popular, eager to be loyal to anyone who could help him take that next step from lesser pirate to elite pirate. Besides, he had just rather publically embarrassed the Kellys by taking over the Mission Inn, such action needed to be rewarded.
5) Adam Tam: a pirate out from Fort Dauphin, also a member of the Council of Captains. He and his faction were among the largest contributors to the raids and attacks on Kelly holdings in the last few years – although there had been some minor altercation between his pirates and Kelly pirates in the prior to Brigit becoming the head of the family.
6) Talitha: although we do know that her cries were taken into consideration as Grace Kelly contemplated the fate of Fikru, but it is unclear at what point she was brought or entered the room. There is no mention of her voice in opposition to the removal of her father, so perhaps she was drawn to the room by the commotion of him being taken to his bed chamber. Then again, the relationship between Talitha and Samuel was known to be contentious – perhaps her lack of fealty gave her no reason to speak up as her father was ousted.
United Republics: The Republics find themselves at odds with a former ally. As Republic ships find niches for themselves in the ports of the Far East they have become prime targets for the Malagasy pirates.
Russian Empire: Civil War begins when Constantine marches on Moscow - forcing Nicholas and his allies to flee the city.
Spanish Empire: Chile is once again in revolt – adding trouble to the already besieged empire.
Venice: Serbian Revolt is suppressed.
Ottoman Empire: Muhamd II begins an overhaul of his empire starting with military reforms. He grants his local administrators and military leaders of his African holdings greater autonomy.
England: Domestic and military attention is brought back to Africa as this year marks an increase in border scuffles between Lunda and the Zulu. There were also several flash points of tribal unrest to the trade and use of opium (tribal leaders were bucking against, what seemed to them, as the forcing of their people onto a drug which dulled the wits). England had been attempting, over the last few years, to increase its trade in opium, but as the Vijayanagara Empire was largely administered by France and French trading companies this has been difficult. The suppression of a small, but violent, revolt among the mostly Dutch farmers in South Africa.
January 1818:
There were a number of non-pirate ships whom braved the Malagasy ports in order to trade – most of these were French and Ethiopian. However, this year two visitations of note were made to Madagascar:
The first was an emissary from Shaka. A small contingent of warriors and holymen made the journey to Jamestown looking for trade. They wanted weapons. However, although the city council was willing to deal with them, Brigit sent word that she would speak with them. She made the concession to come to Jamestown – and kept city council and the envoy waiting for three days. Upon her arrival she had one meeting with them, whereupon she repeatedly mistook them for Lundanese – and commented on how barbarous they appeared, even for Lundanese. In the end, she said she saw no profit in dealing with them as they had nothing of value to trade. “Come back with more than just your hands out and we’ll talk.” And promptly dismissed them all – a full Foremen guard escorting them back to their ship.
(although the Admiral must have been aware of this - he did still have a governor in Jamestown - he seems to have made no comment on it)
The second visitation was an English flotilla. Its coming was warned by Marsh Island, but very little was otherwise done. Admiral Bonny did order several sloops off of their normal hunts in order to investigate. The flotilla, under the command of Admiral William Wright, made for the Bowen Islands – and, much like the pirate takeover – met with little resistance.
The ease of the attack, in many ways, mirrored what took place in 1783 with the first English invasion. Under cover of darkness, with the aid of inside help, the Hendrick gates were opened and English soldiers marched in. The dock was taken with only the sinking of one English ship and the loss of 125 enemy soldiers. Vincent da Molin and Bartholomew Bagger were hauled out of their beds and hung (two of the three members of the triumvirate Segal setup). Tobias Taylor (third member of the triumvirate) was leading their arrest and is said to have pulled the lever dropping them to their doom. The following day Harleem fell. After that the English found a long list of pirate volunteers open to switching loyalties back to the English – some of these captains and crews were accepted, most were either bought off, or replaced.
Samuel Bonny calls the Council of Captains to Port Mission. The meeting did not go well for the Admiral. He drew anger from his Council when he told them there would be no rescue of the Bowen Islands. The refusal of the Kellys to pledge their ships (said through Edward, but it was Brigit’s words) – an act that shown poorly on both the Kellys and the admiral. Edward stated that his ships would be better suited to protecting the trade lines and the southern and western regions. He was openly called coward by Robert Devereaux and Braratta (further damaging his reputation as Edward did not take up any of their challenges).
There were few ships the admiral could rely on coming out of the north either, as both Kaominina and Iharana were still recovering from the Hizir Incident (Iharana had no city council, the town was run by Bonny Foremen and loyalists who ruled lawlessly, and many of Kaominina active pirates had fled during the Hizir Purge). The Elder Council of the Sakalava sided against the admiral – although a bit more diplomatically – citing the need for ships to protect the north as the region was still reeling from the Hizir Purdge. Still, despite the hits to the Admiral’s clout he had the ships of Fort Dauphin, Manakara, Toamasina, his own loyalists, and Post Mission: an initial estimate of about 35 ships, more than a match for the English flotilla.
February 1818:
Kora Black dies in her home in New Arradon (it is thought that she drank herself to death). She is cremated, but few attend the service – Jolie Ansell (wife of the late great artist Alric Van Nelson) and less than a dozen others. Jolie falls into a deep depression and although she does recover it is a demon which surfaces from time to time for the remainder of her life.
The Admiral’s ability to raise an army was further hampered as news broke that there was no plan to rescue the Bowen Islands – also as rumors sped about the defiance of both Jamestown and Morondava. People were sensing a change in the wind and that always meant trouble. Many pirates of lesser standing, marginal loyalties to the larger factions, and citizens in general (who were expected to divert their resources to the war effort) were suddenly less cooperative or not to be found at all. Bonny had estimated he had 35 ships to easily brush away the English flotilla. As the fleet gathered in Port Mission he found his force to be far less (he doesn’t comment on how many ship, but the guess is about 20).
Admiral Bonny had no intention on fighting the English around the Bowen Islands – his initially plan was to take his fleet and draw the English into doing battle near the shallows, shoals, and reefs the pirates had spent the last 100 years mapping. As it turned out the battle would be brought to him.
An early morning alert is sounded in Port Mission on February the 13th. The English were coming. It would be a test for the defenses around Mission Island which the Bonnys had mostly paid for and had yet to have a proper testing. The pirate fleet was still gathering at this time and Bonny had only 10 warships.
The Sea Bird, a 20-gun brigantine, exploded first – a long distance shot which found the Sea Bird’s magazine (at a distance of 2 miles).
The pirate fleet scattered in the face of the wind and the English long nines. Falling back to the southern end of Mission Island as the English ships swooped in from north to south in a line of battle. English long ships were sent ashore – at this time, Admiral Bonny, in command of the land defenses, ordered his cannons to open fire. He targeted the long ships.
As the English flotilla came to the southern tip of the island they found the pirate fleet not scattered but waiting. Captain Robert Devereaux had managed to rally most of the other captains, giving them a simple order – “Swarm the English”.
The pirate broadside was said to have been deafening, it was followed by the dazzling display of dozens of streaks of light (pirate rockets). The air was so fouled by smoke and sparks that for several minutes it was difficult to see more than a few feet in any direction. There were several collisions between the English ships. The pirate ships came in close with deck guns belching and grenades being slung across the gap between ships. The attack targeted the English soldiers, with keen-eyed pirates lobbing, with some success, explosives through the portholes to the lower decks.
By the time the wind cleared the air, the English battle line was in ruin, replaced by a chaotic melee – which favored the pirates.
For two hours the two sides battled. Although the English long ships landed on Mission Island, and fighting took place at the outskirts of Port Mission, ultimately all of the English marines were either killed or captured. Eventually it was the dwindling supplies which brought the naval battle to a close. Pirate ships began to fall back, having captured only two English ships during the battle, and sinking three others, and running low on munitions.
As the battle began to dissolve the commanders of the English flotilla brought their ships in close to assess. Admiral William Wright, 2nd Duke of Leeds, commander of the English navy against the pirates – he wanted to bottle the pirates up, blockade the town. Rear Admiral Robert Collingwood, a veteran of the war against the pirates (he was a young captain in 1785 during the early stages of this long conflict, serving many tours in the region against piracy) – he advised caution and suggested they fall back and hit the pirates along the coast so they could land troops. Admiral Wright won out and had the fleet sail around the tip of Mission Island and come up on Port Mission (1).
The defenses around the city were too strong for the English ships to make their blockade tight enough to matter. Landing troops was as difficult as it had been earlier in the day. After two days of shelling the city and being shelled, the English were forced to retreat as the bottled pirate fleet began to push out, and new pirate ships began arriving.
March 1818:
Admiral Bonny guesses that the next attack will come at Fort Dauphin – besides the fact that it was what the English did the last time, but that Fort D. was the wealthiest city the pirates had. He took a chance and sailed with his fleet south, and taking the advice of Devereaux, split the fleet. He set some out to sea, others he left along the coast in small coves, the bulk he kept just out of sight just west of Fort Dauphin.
He guessed right. Admiral Wright came at Fort Dauphin on the 10th of March, another dawn attack. Admiral Bonny allowed the English to get well invested into the assault and then moved his fleet in. First came the ships he led, as his first broadsides fired a rocket was let loose, signaling Devereaux and Braratta to bring their ships from the hidden coves and at sea. This time the pirates had the wind at their backs, and, their ships usually faster than the English anyway, cut through the enemy line, swarming them with rockets, grenades, and cannon fire.
It was nearly a six hour battle, although most of the fighting took place during the first hour when the English began their assault and Bonny began his attack, followed by maneuvering and pot shots – once the pirates began to swarm the battle became fierce again around the fourth hour.
It was not a tight noose the pirates had around the English and a retreat was possible. Admiral Bonny ordered no chase, he wanted to repair his ships and plan for the next English assault.
Absent from the battle at Fort Dauphin was Christopher Bonny and his steamships. It is not clear from where the orders came (from Oliver, from the city council, or had Christopher taken it upon himself), but on March the 28th Christopher, his four steamships, and four other sailing ships approached Capetown and a secondary English fleet which had been gathering and preparing to join Admiral Wright.
It was a night battle. Christopher brought his steamships in from the southwest, the lights of the port and town were easy to target and even if someone had been alerted to the “chug-chug” of Christopher’s engines they didn’t react in time. The four steamships weren’t as heavily armed as the sailing cousins, but each carried 4 to 6 24/36-pounder carronades. Almost instantly upon the attack the English ships began making ready to sail and returned fire. The ships which made it out of port unharmed set out in the direction of the mussel blasts. Christopher’s ships, what they lacked in firepower, made up in maneuverability. As Christopher used the dark and the speed of his ships to distract the English navy, his secondary ships (under the command of Captain Benjamin James, a good friend) came up from the south and into the port proper and set it ablaze with a concentrated broadside blast.
Within three hours the battle was over. Capetown was inflames, and the English fleet was a shambles. Christopher notes his anger at not being able to raid the town – and both admonishes and thanks his friend for being the clearer of the two heads and convincing Christopher to withdraw.
April-September 1818:
There were no more assaults on Madagascar. The attacks didn’t stop however, they became open sea battles. Admiral Wright set his ships to patrolling the waters – stating, “I’m fishing for pirates”.
Christopher and his group of ships continued to harass the English closer to Africa. He raided several towns and strongholds such as Port Elizabeth and Mossel Bay.
Grace Kelly is sent to Nova Island. After yet another failed attempt to marry Grace, and her latest attempt to escape Forecastle, Brigit decides that a year in an actual prison would do her daughter some good.
A ship carrying clergy sent by Vicar Ricchar arrives in Fort Hendrick. The two priests and the acolyte are taken captive by the English commander.
October 1818:
Eventually injury would set Christopher’s ships heading back to Madagascar – Christopher himself losing his left hand and eventually his right leg below the knee. Christopher and his ships return to Fort Dauphin where he finds a summons awaiting him. Both Oliver and Christopher travel to Port Mission.
Christopher wasn’t the only captain summoned to Port Mission – a large gathering of ships and captains had arrived. Ostensibly it was a grand celebration of Founders Day and their great victories over the English. In reality it was to have private meetings with Oliver, Christopher, and his Council of Captains. The Admiral was not happy about the English still being in his backyard. Nor was he happy about Christopher taking his steamships without orders. Nor was he happy about Jamestown’s continued refusal to send ships (2).
Despite the outward scene of joy and festivities, inwardly, Admiral Bonny disbanded the Council of Captains – and would recall his governors, having Michael Cree from Jamestown shot, and the leader of his Foremen and his governors to Kaominina and Iharana dismissed from their duties.
November-December 1818:
Admiral Bonny holds the defunct Council of Captains (as well as his brother) hostage until a new Council can be seated. He sends out word that new representatives should be chosen and sent to Port Mission.
Mission Inn is taken over. The Henry family were just opening the when a group of pirates barged into the tavern (3). The family was ordered out by the leader of this group, a lesser, but ambitious, pirate by the name of Fikru Degagmanna who was looking to ratchet up his notoriety. Sebastian Henry drew a musket from behind the counter, but was cut down before he could use it. Ann and her two children, Tyr (15) and Ryan (16), fled the establishment. Soon after they leave Port Mission for Jamestown.
1819:
England/France: tension between these two empires increases over territorial and trade disputes in the Far East.
Russian Empire: the civil war continues; no major actions. Constantine continues to consolidate his hold by having those loyal to his brother arrested. Nicholas, with only a small portion of the army supporting him, moves south and east gathering support among regional leaders who had suffered under his brother’s failed rule and failed wars.
Orleans Empire: under the auspices of helping to throw off the yoke of Spanish rule, Napoleon marches into the Mexican territories (war with Spain).
Spanish Empire: War with New Orleans.
United Republics: King Adams is at the founding of two State-Republics: Ottawa, with its capital being Ottawa; and St. Lawrence, with its capital of Quebec.
January 1819:
Elections and meetings were held in all of the major strongholds around Madagascar – they were far from uninfluenced. Samuel Bonny’s money, threats, and governors (several new ones) – not to mention the hostages - made it clear the admiral’s interests. Brigit and the city council of Jamestown were told no one but a captain of repute would even be allowed to enter Mission House. Fort Dauphin was informed that the Admiral would accept no one even remotely related to him on the Council. The specter of the Admiral oversaw the complete reseating of both the city councils of Kaominina and Iharana – and then the choosing of their representatives. Even Port Mission was allowed to appoint their own representative on the Council – even though they were still not allowed a city council and technically the admiral was meant to directly oversee the people of Port Mission (4).
During the last week of January the representatives began arriving.
Brigit settled on Mathew Jones to represent Jamestown and the Kellys.
From Toamasina , King Boabuana sends a trusted advisor, Juan Invierno.
Kaominina city council appoints from their council a captain by the name of Anthony Moore.
Iharana city council appoints from their council a captain by the name of Yang Chin
Manakara city council reinstates Braratta (after consideration Admiral Bonny gives his consent).
Morondava, sends Yamillio of the Elders.
Fort Dauphin decides to appoint, in a clear show of how much respect the Kellys have lost, Adam Tam (5).
Port Mission seats a pirate captain by the name of Fikru Degagmanna.
Before even the delegates are seated Yamillio makes it known that the hostages must be released. Whereupon Admiral Bonny insisted that they were honored guests, that no harm came to them, and that they were held in Port Mission merely to serve as a changing of the guard. (The fact that the previous representatives were not harmed, and treated well – plus the addition of many glasses of wine – had the issue pass quietly, though not forgotten).
February 1819:
With the Council of Captains still in Port Mission Vicar Ricchar arrives. The Vicar wanted his priests returned to him and the English punished – news had reached him about the arrests of his priests on by the English. It was a matter Admiral Bonny wanted to let die – he regretted almost from the start ever getting involved in the Bowen Islands. The Admiral reminded the Vicar the dangers of being a pirate – interests in law and holy philosophy aside, the Vicar was still a pirate. He also stated – perhaps trying to convince himself of it too – that it was good to have so many English in the region; it made for good hunting.
Ricchar demands the full Council be given a chance to decide. The Admiral puts the matter to them, and finds out that despite his best efforts he still did not have full command of the Council as the matter was not decided unanimously. Even so, he does get the answer he wanted from them – which was, “not worth the effort.”
March 1819:
It was a mistake to send Grace to Nova Island. Almost immediately Grace and Rebecca became friends – sharing, among other things, their hatred for Brigit. Over the last several months Grace and Rebecca had been planning and insuring the loyalty of the Kelly pirates. Fearing any more time taken would allow Brigit to find out about their efforts they acted.
Grace arrives in secret back in Jamestown around the 18th of March. She has her Foremen branch out through the city over the course of a few days – quietly causing the disappearance of a number of her mother’s Foremen and suspected spies. Somehow it is discovered that Grace is back in town and Foremen loyal to Brigit storm the Kelly house assuming that is where she was hiding. It was not. In turn, the House was surrounded by those loyal to Grace. There was a brief exchange of fire, but the battle was mostly bloodless.
Not wasting time Grace gathered up her forces and marched on Forecastle. There was no attempt to hide her advance on her mother’s town, in fact Grace sent an advance guard to Brigit requesting a meeting. On the 25th of March Grace held her army outside of Forecastle – the town was barricaded and defended. For twenty minutes nothing happened and then Brigit stepped through the defenses, Edward in tow, Grace approached her mother, Rebecca along side.
Gathered from various sources, what follows is an approximation of their brief conversation:
Grace: “There can be but one captain.”
Brigit: “Will you raze this town?”
Grace: “Aye.”
Brigit: “Will you kill me to do it?”
Grace: “Aye.”
Brigit: “It is a bloody path you will lead us down then. The same your father, and every Kelly before him, has led us down.”
Grace: “The only blood will be the blood of our enemies dripping from my cutlass, mother. Are you my enemy?”
Brigit: “I’ve done all that I could to alter our course. Take the lesson.”
Grace: “I don’t want your lessons, only your loyalty – if not that, then your silence.”
Brigit: “And the town, no doubt.”
Grace: “And the town.”
Brigit returned to the town and within minutes calmed her citizens and had the barricades taken down.
Grace returned to Jamestown.
April-December 1819:
Grace tries to keep the recent family feud a secret – and even goes to the length of spreading the rumor of her own death. Her immediate concern was reposting loyal captains back on their ships or onto new ships.
Battles between English and pirate ships continues.
The Admiral accepts the offer by Fikru Degagmanna (30 years) to marry Talitha (18 years).
The issue of the Bowen Islands is brought up again – in recent months there has been a resurgence of feelings among the citizen pirates and the lesser captains to mount another assault on the islands. Admiral Bonny tries to play off the news by telling the Council to let it be known that the English ships in the area means more booty for all.
In Deccember, Fikru mentions to Samuel Bonny, in private, that there is a lot of talk concerning the Bowen Islands. To which Bonny drunkenly orders that he will hang the next man who speaks about the Bowen Islands in his presence.
1820
England/France: tension between these two empires increases over territorial and trade disputes in the Far East.
Russian Empire: the civil war continues; the first major military duel between the two factions occurs at the Battle of Tsaritsyn – Constantine’s over confidence and poor field scouting led to a major victory for Nicholas.
Spain-Orleans War: Napoleon takes Mexico City.
United Republics: King Adams steps down from office: “Being a king is a game for the young.” Although he does not appoint a successor he does Stand in Council over the proceedings to choose a new king. It is not a completely smooth transition as there was some opposition to the idea of continuing the Office of the King. Alexander Hamilton eventually prevails, by a slim margin in both the Senate and the House of Barons, and is named the new King of the United Republics (a baron of New York, who’s military, political, and personal life has had as many highs as it did lows).
Egypt: the start of the Egyptian Revival. Scholars, both national, and invited foreign intellectuals, begin the great rebirth of Egyptian history.
Ottoman Empire: Muhamd II goes to war with Persia. This same year Muhamd faces a revolt by several of his military commanders.
January 1820:
Since the death of Mary Kelly in 1791 the family had been in a slow decline – losing respect, influence, and notoriety all over the island. Thomas Kelly managed to stem some of this loss, but Brigit largely undid all of his efforts over the last few years. Grace planed on returning the family honor. With the majority of captains behind her, and all of Jamestown, she set out with six ships (the Grace, Endeavor, Cold North, Storm Shadow, Old Bones, and the Cadiz). Her first stop was Fort Dauphin. She had five of her ships hold outside the port while she docked with the Grace. She, her Foremen, and crew disembarked quickly – people ran from the streets. Grace marched on the home of Adam Tam – who, according to her informants – was in town. Tam was hauled from his house, his evening meal still being chewed. Grace gave a challenge, which he answered. The duel only lasted ten minutes before Tam was run-through. For good measure, Grace cut off his head, hands, and feet.
Before there could be any more bloodshed between the factions a whole war party of Foremen (the city council’s watch) showed up and drove off Tam’s loyalists and ordered Grace to explain herself to the city council. Which she did freely – ordering most of her men back to her ship. She explained the wrongs done against the Kellys by Tam and his faction – most of which was commonly known. The council deemed Grace had the right to her actions. Grace continued on claiming all rights to Tam’s possessions and wealth. It was granted to her, although only items and wealth which were directly owned by Tam. For their understanding Grace dropped a pouch of gold on the council table and left.
Before leaving Fort Dauphin, Grace visited Olvier Bonny to pay her respects. She did this for a couple of good reasons: The Tam faction were friends with the Bonnys, 2)Oliver’s Bonny’s had become very influential in Fort Dauphin, 3)to judge their support for a changing of the leadership in Port Mission.
Grace left Cadiz and Captain Benjamin Jones to catalogue and take control of Tam’s former possessions and ship. She departed for her next stop. She had Jones issues news to the rest of the Tam faction that they had to act now against the Kellys or accept that the feud is over (a statement the city council would later second).
February 1820:
Grace sailed to Iharana next. Here she settled accounts with several pirates.
To Captain Emma Birch of the English Blood Grace gave a choice. For her attacks on Jamestown and Jamestown ships Captain Birch could either save the life of her and that of her crew and give up the English Blood, or they could stand and fight…and then have the ship confiscated anyway. Emma gave up her ships – and was later hung by her crew for cowardness.
To Captain Aman Fasil Grace demanded the return of the Kelly trade ship he had captured as well as a suitable bribe for his life – she was granting him this chance because after the taking of the ship he had put off the crew along Ethiopia southern coast (most of which returned more or less healthy back to Jamestown) rather than kill them. Fasil agrees to her terms.
Grace’s meeting with Captain Stewart did not go as smoothly. Rather than give up his ship he fought. The fighting began at the Broken Tusk, which was said to have been very intense, before moving out into the streets, and later onto the deck of the Venture as Captain Stewart attempted to make sail. The two hour battle ended with Stewart’s death. Grace allowed what remained of his crew to go free – even granting the Venture to Stewart’s first lieutenant.
Over the next three days Grace would gain reparations from three other pirates – all of which amounted to the returning of property – or equivalent payment – and a small bribe for their lives.
There were others on her list, but they were not in port at this time. So, before leaving Grace paid a visit to the city council – which was still trying to gain strength and had done little to stop Grace’s rampage. As in Fort Dauphin, she explained her reasons and paid them a small sum for the trouble.
She did not leave Iharana yet. She led her army of pirates to the outskirts of town and homesteads further inland. At least 12 farms and plantations were burned to the ground – she accepted no payment. It was simple revenge for the stolen coco, tobacco, etc. which these pirates, turned famers and landowners, now made so much money off of.
March 1820:
Kaominina was next although here Grace only found one of the captains she sought. The rest were thought dead during the Hizir Purge or had runaway. Still, for the murder of a silver shop owner in Jamestown, this captain was killed – his ship given to the next in command.
April 1820:
Although with more yet to come, Grace returned to Jamestown to celebrate her achievements – and probably was not all that surprised to find a summons to Port Mission awaiting her. The other reason for the pause, and ignoring the summons, was the Dutch envoy in Jamestown. A group of “independent” traders were looking to buy weapons, but they wanted them sent anonymously to other parties: the Zulu, the Lunda, and rebels in South Africa. Grace agrees to the trade deal, and directs The Forge to increase production and for her ships to pillage or trade for the materials necessary to fill the order.
May – August 1820:
Grace bide her time in Jamestown hunting down the last of the pirates on her list and waiting for Admiral Bonny to make the first move.
Admiral Bonny, despite stacking the Council of Captains, was finding support to go after Grace and force her to call a end to her revenge killings – because sooner or later he felt she would come after him – very lack luster. Despite the widespread killings Grace had kept the revenge localized to those who had done the Kellys wrong over the last ten years or so. To the members of the Council the situation wasn’t in danger of flaring out of control and so they felt it should be left alone. Admiral Bonny felt differently. He called on the Council to send a message that enough was enough. Juan Invierno , Braratta, and Fikru are the only captains to commit to his cause.
The Admiral sends twelve ships to Jamestown to forcibly bring Grace Kelly back to Port Mission.
September 1820:
Invierno and Braratta sailed up to Jamestown with the full force of their ships. A landing part was sent ashore to take possession of Grace Kelly.
Grace struck first.
The pirates aboard the two long boats had hardly disembarked before they were sent scattering as a hail of lead shot began striking the sand around them. The city defenses, which were at least as good as that around Port Mission, opened up on the ships. Grace, aboard the Grace, led her ready ships away from the docks and attacked.
It was a close combat battle with ships maneuvering very little during the two hour exchange.
The Grace would not survive the attack. She took a direct hit to her aft. Grace and most of the crew managed to escape the burning wreckage.
In all, 8 of the 12 ships sent by the Admiral were either sunk or captured.
October 1820:
Word of Grace Kelly approaching Port Mission arrived on October 21st. She herself sailed into Port Mission aboard the Rampage and disembarked with fifty Foremen on October the 23rd. She arrived at Mission House as the October meeting of the Council of Captains was in session.
The Admiral spoke first. He demanded that she pay for the damage to the ships which had been sent to escort her back here. That she will return the escort ships which were captured. That she would be sent to Nova Island for her actions against Council Members Invierno and Braratta; and that she would be hung straight away if said Council members had been killed.
Grace responded by asking that she be allowed to present her gift. In walked four men. The first two were bound, but otherwise unharmed – Invierno and Braratta. The next man was Richard Gable, who was chained and gagged, and thrown to the floor – the admiral’s governor to Jamestown. The final man was Christopher Bonny – who, other than his obvious injures received during his own adventures, was perfectly fine. “Jamestown no longer recognizes you as admiral, Samuel.” At which point Matthew Jones stood up from the table and came to Grace’s side. “And we will certainly not allow ourselves to be spied on any longer.” At which point she kicked Gable. She called for a vote of confidence. With Kelly money and threats fresh in the pockets and minds of influential peoples in Kaominina, Iharana, and Fort Dauphin there was no saving Samuel Bonny.
Despite his protests Samuel was escorted from the room and put under guard in his bed chamber.
Grace and Mathew then pledged their loyalties to Christopher and immediately pushed for his appointment to the position of admiral. This was supported by the majority of the Council Members.
Grace then asked for one last favor – one which would end her revenge attacks. The new Admiral, already knowing what the request was, agreed. Kelly Foremen burst into the room and took hold of Fikru. She made a very simple statement about taking back Mission Inn and leveled her sword at his chest. However, a plea from the new admiral (probably pre arranged) and the wailing of Talitha (6) requesting clemency, stayed Grace’s final thrust. She instead had his arm held flush with the table, lifted her sword, and chopped off his right hand.
November 1820:
Samuel Bonny is set free and given a ship and a crew of his own (Samuel names his ship Revenge, 25-gun brig).
The Henry family is brought back to Port Mission and placed back in charge of the Mission Inn.
December 1820:
Samuel Bonny sails for New Mission – where he hunts for a time along the Zululand and Ethiopian coasts.
Notes:
1) Robert Collingwood: foolishly, and for reasons known only to himself, writes a letter to the Admiralty stressing his concern over how Admiral Wright was commanding. In his letter he makes note that “…the pirates are like a hydra, you can’t simply cut off a head and have done with the beast.” And, “…to assume to understand an enemy which he has never dealt with is foolish.” Despite his sound strategic advice for fighting the pirates this letter, and a subsequent letter from Admiral Wright, has Rear-Admiral Robert Collingwood removed from command and it is only his contacts in politics which saved him from a charge of treason. He retires in 1823. Coincidentally, or perhaps Collingwood’s letter did resonate with some in the halls of the Admiralty, Admiral Wright is recalled to London in 1821 and replaced by Admiral Benjamin Carter.
2) Jamestown ships: despite the official orders from Edward and Brigit some of the Jamestown pirates did help at the Port Mission battle as well as at the Fort Dauphin when it was attacked.
3) Henry Family: the Mission Inn was one of the first acquisitions by the Kellys – even before the founding of Jamestown. Off and on since taking control of the inn, and more so since the late 1790s, the establishment has been run by various captains – a kind of, thank you for your service, upon retirement for certain loyal Kelly pirates. In 1804 it was given to Edward Henry for his service and loyalty. He died in 1806 when it was passed to his son Sebastian – who took over the place just prior to a flare-up in the English/Taylor wars. Sebastian’s death in 1818 passed the inn, once the Henrys were placed back in charge, to his wife and children.
4) Samuel’s Foremen: the Foremen – paid bodyguards, as to a regular crew of a ship – were out in force during the “open” elections for Port Mission’s seat on the Council of Captains. Samuel Bonny’s money and intimidation made sure the man he wanted got the chair. And he wanted Fikru: an ambitious, semi popular, eager to be loyal to anyone who could help him take that next step from lesser pirate to elite pirate. Besides, he had just rather publically embarrassed the Kellys by taking over the Mission Inn, such action needed to be rewarded.
5) Adam Tam: a pirate out from Fort Dauphin, also a member of the Council of Captains. He and his faction were among the largest contributors to the raids and attacks on Kelly holdings in the last few years – although there had been some minor altercation between his pirates and Kelly pirates in the prior to Brigit becoming the head of the family.
6) Talitha: although we do know that her cries were taken into consideration as Grace Kelly contemplated the fate of Fikru, but it is unclear at what point she was brought or entered the room. There is no mention of her voice in opposition to the removal of her father, so perhaps she was drawn to the room by the commotion of him being taken to his bed chamber. Then again, the relationship between Talitha and Samuel was known to be contentious – perhaps her lack of fealty gave her no reason to speak up as her father was ousted.
Glad to hear that the TL is still a hit. I did enjoy writing Grace's revenge spree - the Kellys are making a come back (what was Brigit thinking - peace in our time, that's just crazy talk).
some of my reflexions
I liked to read and reread your TL. I know that Pirates are chaotic people but after one hundred years in madagascar, the pirate colonies are not a safe place for pirates, their family and their growing wealth. How many people live on the pirates's island ? How can the they allow this continual unrest and these regular feuds ? They lose money, sons, houses, crops. Peacefull activities (fishing) are growing and piracy seems on declin.
Did they develop a specific culture, a specific language and specific art ? Did they developp something common ? Something usefull to create a pirate nation.
Your TL arrived at the XIX century and OTL, around the world, piracy was less common than before because states fought it. In the age of imperialism, pirates can't stay desunited against the big powers. I think they must unite or die. In your time line, they looks like the greek cities always fighting each other when macedonia is growing.
I think they need a better government and an common rule : you are free to sack the entire world but never touch madagascar.
The pirates need an electrochoc.
I liked to read and reread your TL. I know that Pirates are chaotic people but after one hundred years in madagascar, the pirate colonies are not a safe place for pirates, their family and their growing wealth. How many people live on the pirates's island ? How can the they allow this continual unrest and these regular feuds ? They lose money, sons, houses, crops. Peacefull activities (fishing) are growing and piracy seems on declin.
Did they develop a specific culture, a specific language and specific art ? Did they developp something common ? Something usefull to create a pirate nation.
Your TL arrived at the XIX century and OTL, around the world, piracy was less common than before because states fought it. In the age of imperialism, pirates can't stay desunited against the big powers. I think they must unite or die. In your time line, they looks like the greek cities always fighting each other when macedonia is growing.
I think they need a better government and an common rule : you are free to sack the entire world but never touch madagascar.
The pirates need an electrochoc.
I'm not sure...I'd guess between 2 and 3 million.
It's the culture, it's what's normal for them. Popular pirates form factions, factions are going to feud, bribes are going to be placed, favors are going to be traded. The creation of the Vicar, the admiral, and the Council of Captains are a product of this...ruthlessness...when things get out of hand they step in - it doesn't always work, but no society is perfect.
I would say the culture is specific to Madagascar - a mix of native and pirate philosophies. Personal freedom is paramount. Murder can be legal - depending on the situation. Profit is a driving force. Cowardice, or even the perception of cowardice, is a huge taboo. Family, or your faction, is everything. (just to name a few aspects)
Language, again, is a mix. There's no standard. The Malagasy dialects, as well as mainly French and English, are mostly spoken (but there are any number of other languages used, basically, anywhere a pirate is from, the language is used).
I'm not sure how to answer the art question. In my head I picture a pirate painter using mainly whites and blues in their work. Nautical themes are prevalent as well as nature landscapes. Style, i would guess, would be heavily influenced by African and Ottoman senses of elegance (although, again, there would also be influence from the India and the Far East).
Well, the pirates have found a nice niche for themselves - paid middlemen. Despite the deals the powers have made to allow for a mostly unharnessed access through the Indian Ocean, the pirates have proven useful to more than one of them. France, the Netherlands, Spain, the Republics, Ethiopia, even England have used the pirates, their strategic location, and their resources to win battles, wars, and shift the balance of power one way and then another. As long as the pirates can continue to prove themselves useful, and not annoy too many of the powers at the same time, they should be relatively safe.
I think that answered all of your comments and questions. Sorry, it's been a few weeks since i've been on the board.
I'm working on the next segment - should be up next week.
Cheers.
1821
United Republics: The first of the Interstate Conflicts erupts between Kentucky and Virginia. King Hamilton is able to settle the matter, but not before several local raids along the shared border, killing 230 people.
England: War is declared between France and England. Later in the year the unrest in Capetown boils over into open revolt and the start of the Second Bore War.
France: War with England.
Russian Empire: the civil war continues; Nicholas attacks Rostov-on-Don and in a costly battle takes what was the last Russian city with access to the Black Sea. A month later Nicholas is defeated at the Battle of Chaltyr – fearing the loss of his powerbase and yet reluctant to give up control of Rostov, Nicholas splits his army.
Spain-Orleans War: Veracruz falls back into the hands of the Spanish. Battle of Cholula, draw – Napoleon is injured during this battle and it was his son, the seventeen year old Napoleon Francois Joseph Charles (more often referred to as Charles), who was in charge of a small cavalry unit, which saves the day.
Egypt: the start of the Egyptian Revival – great discoveries are unburied from the sands.
Ottoman Empire: The military revolt is dealt a major defeat with the failed attempt to assassinate Muhamd II and take Constantinople. Despite his mild standing among the military elite, among the people of the Empire, especially those of the capital, Muhamd was loved. People stormed into the streets to fight along his soldiers and drove out the traitors. Many of these military commanders fled west into the semi autonomous regions. The Persian war was not given much attention at this time, which many claim for the reason for the defeat at Tabriz.
January 1821:
Admiral Christopher Bonny was not his uncle – or his father. Christopher was an adventurer, and revenge minded. He did not have his father’s patience, or his uncle’s interest in profits – he was, in fact, a dying breed among the pirates, in that his interests focused mainly on the act of piracy and less about the outcome. This is not to say that he was not a good leader, nor did his sense of piracy make him myopic. He knew he needed good people to help – a lesson learned the hard way during his forays in and around Capetown (see 1818). To this end he called a meeting with the Council of Captains – such as it was.
Word was sent out that the Council was being reseated and that the Admiral would not be involved in any of the appointments. In part, the message read, “You give me good, loyal people, and the English will sail no more in our waters.”
As a sign of good will he would not reinstate his uncle’s use of governors – most of which were already removed or arrested over the last few years of unrest (1) (2).
February 1821:
As with any jostling of the pirate ranks, the process of elections and appointments tended to be quick, loud, violent – although, not always bloody – full of threats, deeds, and bribes. By the middle of February the Port Mission docks had several new ship arrivals with the new members of the Council.
Jamestown reposted Mathew Jones (the husband of Rebecca Tibbs).
Fort Dauphin sent, once again, Robert Devereaux (brother-in-law to Christopher Bonny).
Manakara elected Mia Kahn (a retired captain in her 50s of which it is said that her tongue was as sharp as her blade).
Morondava appointed Yamillio back to the Council (a member of the Elder Council).
Kaominina elected Elan Rabboaro (a pirate turned fisherman).
King Boabuana of Toamasina and the Betsimisaraka people sends Rija (a ranking member of the warrior council).
The first action needed to be taken by the Council was to bloody the English nose. Thanks to friends, both from the Bowen Islands and Capetown, the Admiral was aware of a two very important things. Fort Hendrick had only a small garrison at the moment and four warships. Admiral Wright wasn’t even present in the area. He had gone to Capetown to see to the gathering invasion fleet (the second piece of information the Admiral had discovered). The Bowen Islands made for a tasty target – but several members of the Council convinced Bonny that it was probably a trap. The real threat was the fleet gathering in Capetown. “If the English want one last brawl, we’ll give it to them.” He issued orders that every Malagasy ship was to be made ready for battle. The Admiral was advised against this; for one, it left the island more or less undefended, and secondly, the Council felt drawing the English in and dividing their forces across land and sea would be a better tactic. On this matter, the Admiral would not be swayed – if they were going to attack the English they were going to take the fight to them.
March 1821:
Supplies and ships begin gathering at Fort Dauphin. Around the 20th of March the Admiral moves from Port Mission to Fort Dauphin in order to be closer to his amassing armada.
April 1821:
Although the Fort Dauphin Yards were busy with repairs and refits to the gathering ships Admiral Bonny does put in an order – to be paid for out of the treasury – for three more steam ships to be built.
The Admiral names two commodores and a vice admiral during a meeting with the Council of Captains, the city council, and the gathered captains (3). The fleet was too large to be commanded by one person, and he wanted it understood that these appointed captains stood out above the other assemble captains – but obviously, below his own authority. The first person he names with this new title is his best friend Benjamin James, the second is Robert Devereaux. He also appoints Grace Kelly as vice admiral (4).
Talitha Bonny and Fikru Degagmanna have their first child, a girl which they name Mary.
May 1821:
The pirate armada was still waiting on several captains, who had yet to return from their hunts, when word reached Fort Dauphin of warning rockets being fired from the direction of Marsh Island.
The pirate fleet was underway within the hour – May 13 (although the size of the fleet, 169 ships, made coordination and logistics take hours more) (5).
On May the 14th, about mid morning, the fleets sighted each other and the Battle of Marsh Island began (6). There were three initial factors which gave the edge to the pirates. The wind was in their favor. The current was in their favor. Admiral Wright had not expected to meet them so soon or for there to be so many (the English fleet numbered 124). Delays in communicating orders among the English ships gave the pirates the chance for first blood. The flanks of the long line of pirates ships began to pull away, ships along the center began to cluster and fall back while others carried forward – all in an attempt to give the English the impression of retreat and to encircle them.
Admiral Bonny led the center thrust aboard the Cutter, a converted and heavily modified steam man of war. Forward deck guns belched sending roundshot down the line of English ships. The English returned fire but found the scattered clusters of pirate ships harder to hit with anything other than a deadshot. The plated hull of the Cutter was first to make contact with the English, a frigate HMS Sir Charles. The Cutter pulled away with minimal bruising; the Sir Charles had a three foot gash of broken wood just below the forecastle and above the waterline. The nearest pirate cluster edged in closer to the exchange between the Cutter and the Sir Charles, swarming the English ship. The death knell for the Sir Charles came from a broadside delivered by the Cutter, near pointblank, straight through the aftcastle.
It was not a ship on ship fight. Clusters of pirate ships working together would rush or fall back, swarming a single English warship, and then moving on to the next – taking hits from other English warships in stride, but ordered to ignore the attacks. All the while the noose was closing as Robert and Benjamin came in from the flanks. Eventually the tactics of draw in and swarm or rush and swarm gave way to individual ambitions – a shift in ship to ship fighting styles which favored the English captains.
The battle raged for about six hours before Admiral Wright (his command ship, the Great Henry, listing and smoldering) broke for open water – a retreat followed. Although the pirate fleet had it own damage and injured, Admiral Bonny would give chance, extending the battle by an additional 3 or 4 hours, but ultimately Benjamin James is able to draw Christopher away from the English stragglers.
The outcome of the battle is more or less seen as a draw – although the pirates list it as a victory. The English lost (captured, sunk, or later scuttled due to damage) 32 ships. The pirates lost 24 ships (all sunk), however the number rises to about 50 when certain other factors are taken into account. Such as the 10 ships which withdrew, and the pirates ships which, despite remaining in the battle, were too heavily damaged to have contributed much more.
Of the three Kelly children involved in the battle two are killed. John Tibbs and Jason Tibbs are killed during a failed boarding engagement onboard the Rampage (both are said to have fought bravely) (7). Harold Jones, who took over command of the Rampage upon the death of Captain McGregor who is shot and killed, is also injured with a head and shoulder wound but recovers.
Robert Devereaux has his ship shot out from under him. The Dire Chase (26 gun man of war) explodes during the late hours of the battle. Robert is flung overboard, and later fished out of the sea by another pirate ship – he received a bad head wound and was kept safe and guarded aboard the Rock Cove during the remainder of the battle.
June 1821:
Grace Kelly maintained her status as vice admiral through June – duties which amounted to organizing the repairs to the fleet, arguing over who and how the repairs were to be paid for, and settling minor arguments between factions regarding prisoners and prizes.
Christopher spent much of June away from the island patrolling for English ships and skirmishing with ones he found.
July 1821:
By mid July the English warships in the area had drifted away, the sense among the pirate leadership was that they had fallen back to regroup for another attack. Admiral Bonny took this time to assess his own resources. The Battle of Marsh Island had not been the death thrust he had been hoping for – although it was certainly a bloody nose for England. Support among the Council would not allow for a second assault, so he sided with the Council this time and focused on drawing the English in if needs be and staging raids and hit and run attacks.
On July 14th the Rampage (sail), Cutter (steam), and Archibald (steam) engage six English ships south of Jamestown. Admiral Bonny, aboard the Cutter, stuck with the plan – attempting to draw the English into a trap, which partially worked. The Cutter took a direct his to the aft quarter, damaging her engines and propeller – the ship was abandoned and scuttled. However, the English did give chase and were later driven off by the Jamestown defenses. Two of the English ships were sunk.
On the 21st a flotilla of ten English ships attacked Fort Dauphin, and although several marine unites were landed the English were driven off. No ships lost.
On the 24th a naval battle between 27 English ships and 15 pirate ships took place about 25 miles south of the Bowen Islands. Six of the pirate ships are sunk – only one of the English ships is lost.
August-September 1821:
By August the size of the flotillas had dwindled, so too did their frequency. Unknown to the pirates at the time but Admiral Wright had been replaced by Admiral Daniel Tennyson – who was under orders to address the pirates in the area, but more importantly to deal with the Dutch rebellion centered around Capetown.
The Archibald duels and wins against an English warship south of Fort Dauphin.
A naval battle takes place in the waters between Nova Island and Jamestown. A rare night battle. A flotilla of four English ships are spotted and chased (believed to have been headed for Nova Island). The Rampage loses a mast in the battle and is docked at the Morondava Yards for several months. One of the English ships is sunk, two are captured.
Samuel Bonny is caught up in the fighting between Madagascar and the English. The Revenge and the Black Rose were conducting a raid on the English stronghold of Fort Dean (southern Mozambique OTL) when three warships unexpectedly arrived. Both the Revenge and the Black Rose were lost trying to escape (8).
October-December 1821:
By late in the year the exchanges between the English and pirates had returned to levels more or less seen prior to the flare up in 1815.
The Founders Day celebration was a particularly jovial one this year.
Vice Admiral Kelly is dismissed from her duties – of which she is extremely happy to be rid of.
Notes:
1) Ending Governors: this was not initially Christopher’s idea. It was in fact Grace Kelly’s idea – and it was Yamillio and she who talked the new admiral from further punishing his uncle’s loyalists.
2) Runners: it was this shift from appointed overseers to committed communication (with the steam ships being mainly used) that laid the foundation for the development of an island-wide mail service in the years to come.
3) Commodore: although a title/rank used in other navies for years, this was the first of such appointments among the pirates. It was the first use of a clear chain of command in regards to combat. So many of the other collective forays, although mostly profitable, had ended up with bickering and fighting among captains.
4) Kelly, vice-admiral: at first she was honored to take on the position. And then she realized that accepting the position meant she would be kept from the heart of the battle – she found the duties tedious, and was said to have spent the next several months moody and aggressive.
5) The pirate fleet: it was an awesome collection of ships – by far the largest gathering of pirates in history. From Jamestown 30 ships were sent: 6 man of wars, 8 sloops, 4 galleons, 2 cogs, 2 frigates, 2 caravels. From Fort Dauphin 53 ships were sent, 24 sloops, 8 frigates, 1 balener, 6 indiamen, 4 caravels, 4 fluyts, 3 steam ships. From Port Mission 27 ships were sent, 4 indiamen, 10 sloops, 3 frigates, 4 corvettes, 3 gallons, 3 mows. From Morondava 16 sloops are sent. A further 33 ships are sent from various other towns and ports, 32 sloops, 6 cogs, 6 indianmen, 1 buss, and 5 fluyts.
6) Battle of Marsh Island: although the battle took the name from this island, the actual island was approximately 15 miles south of the battle.
7) John, Jason, Gisela Tibbs: John and Jason Tibbs were the children of Harold Tibbs (III) and Gisela – a laborer whom Harold had taken on as a nanny to help take care of his other child Paulien (born of a tryst between Harold and a woman by the name of Adella Baar). John was 17 and Jason was 15. Gisela would later commit suicide at the news of her sons’ deaths. She had already lost Paulien (she and Richard, cousins, had runaway together to Capetown) and now her sons – the grief was too much.
8) Samuel Bonny: he survives the sinking of his ship. So too does the captain of the Black Rose – a man by the name of Abhay Dwijen. The story is confused, in one version Samuel is said to have saved Abhay, in another Abhay saved Samuel, yet others have them running into each other much later after the battle. In any event, Abhay was the son of a wealthy merchant in Surat, the two make their way back to Abhay’s father (again, stories differ on which among them was injured, and how badly – was Abhay taking his injured friend to safety, or was Samuel bringing home the injured Abhay to his father?). Samuel spends the rest of his days in comfort – dying around 1832 – but never again sets foot on a ship.
United Republics: The first of the Interstate Conflicts erupts between Kentucky and Virginia. King Hamilton is able to settle the matter, but not before several local raids along the shared border, killing 230 people.
England: War is declared between France and England. Later in the year the unrest in Capetown boils over into open revolt and the start of the Second Bore War.
France: War with England.
Russian Empire: the civil war continues; Nicholas attacks Rostov-on-Don and in a costly battle takes what was the last Russian city with access to the Black Sea. A month later Nicholas is defeated at the Battle of Chaltyr – fearing the loss of his powerbase and yet reluctant to give up control of Rostov, Nicholas splits his army.
Spain-Orleans War: Veracruz falls back into the hands of the Spanish. Battle of Cholula, draw – Napoleon is injured during this battle and it was his son, the seventeen year old Napoleon Francois Joseph Charles (more often referred to as Charles), who was in charge of a small cavalry unit, which saves the day.
Egypt: the start of the Egyptian Revival – great discoveries are unburied from the sands.
Ottoman Empire: The military revolt is dealt a major defeat with the failed attempt to assassinate Muhamd II and take Constantinople. Despite his mild standing among the military elite, among the people of the Empire, especially those of the capital, Muhamd was loved. People stormed into the streets to fight along his soldiers and drove out the traitors. Many of these military commanders fled west into the semi autonomous regions. The Persian war was not given much attention at this time, which many claim for the reason for the defeat at Tabriz.
January 1821:
Admiral Christopher Bonny was not his uncle – or his father. Christopher was an adventurer, and revenge minded. He did not have his father’s patience, or his uncle’s interest in profits – he was, in fact, a dying breed among the pirates, in that his interests focused mainly on the act of piracy and less about the outcome. This is not to say that he was not a good leader, nor did his sense of piracy make him myopic. He knew he needed good people to help – a lesson learned the hard way during his forays in and around Capetown (see 1818). To this end he called a meeting with the Council of Captains – such as it was.
Word was sent out that the Council was being reseated and that the Admiral would not be involved in any of the appointments. In part, the message read, “You give me good, loyal people, and the English will sail no more in our waters.”
As a sign of good will he would not reinstate his uncle’s use of governors – most of which were already removed or arrested over the last few years of unrest (1) (2).
February 1821:
As with any jostling of the pirate ranks, the process of elections and appointments tended to be quick, loud, violent – although, not always bloody – full of threats, deeds, and bribes. By the middle of February the Port Mission docks had several new ship arrivals with the new members of the Council.
Jamestown reposted Mathew Jones (the husband of Rebecca Tibbs).
Fort Dauphin sent, once again, Robert Devereaux (brother-in-law to Christopher Bonny).
Manakara elected Mia Kahn (a retired captain in her 50s of which it is said that her tongue was as sharp as her blade).
Morondava appointed Yamillio back to the Council (a member of the Elder Council).
Kaominina elected Elan Rabboaro (a pirate turned fisherman).
King Boabuana of Toamasina and the Betsimisaraka people sends Rija (a ranking member of the warrior council).
The first action needed to be taken by the Council was to bloody the English nose. Thanks to friends, both from the Bowen Islands and Capetown, the Admiral was aware of a two very important things. Fort Hendrick had only a small garrison at the moment and four warships. Admiral Wright wasn’t even present in the area. He had gone to Capetown to see to the gathering invasion fleet (the second piece of information the Admiral had discovered). The Bowen Islands made for a tasty target – but several members of the Council convinced Bonny that it was probably a trap. The real threat was the fleet gathering in Capetown. “If the English want one last brawl, we’ll give it to them.” He issued orders that every Malagasy ship was to be made ready for battle. The Admiral was advised against this; for one, it left the island more or less undefended, and secondly, the Council felt drawing the English in and dividing their forces across land and sea would be a better tactic. On this matter, the Admiral would not be swayed – if they were going to attack the English they were going to take the fight to them.
March 1821:
Supplies and ships begin gathering at Fort Dauphin. Around the 20th of March the Admiral moves from Port Mission to Fort Dauphin in order to be closer to his amassing armada.
April 1821:
Although the Fort Dauphin Yards were busy with repairs and refits to the gathering ships Admiral Bonny does put in an order – to be paid for out of the treasury – for three more steam ships to be built.
The Admiral names two commodores and a vice admiral during a meeting with the Council of Captains, the city council, and the gathered captains (3). The fleet was too large to be commanded by one person, and he wanted it understood that these appointed captains stood out above the other assemble captains – but obviously, below his own authority. The first person he names with this new title is his best friend Benjamin James, the second is Robert Devereaux. He also appoints Grace Kelly as vice admiral (4).
Talitha Bonny and Fikru Degagmanna have their first child, a girl which they name Mary.
May 1821:
The pirate armada was still waiting on several captains, who had yet to return from their hunts, when word reached Fort Dauphin of warning rockets being fired from the direction of Marsh Island.
The pirate fleet was underway within the hour – May 13 (although the size of the fleet, 169 ships, made coordination and logistics take hours more) (5).
On May the 14th, about mid morning, the fleets sighted each other and the Battle of Marsh Island began (6). There were three initial factors which gave the edge to the pirates. The wind was in their favor. The current was in their favor. Admiral Wright had not expected to meet them so soon or for there to be so many (the English fleet numbered 124). Delays in communicating orders among the English ships gave the pirates the chance for first blood. The flanks of the long line of pirates ships began to pull away, ships along the center began to cluster and fall back while others carried forward – all in an attempt to give the English the impression of retreat and to encircle them.
Admiral Bonny led the center thrust aboard the Cutter, a converted and heavily modified steam man of war. Forward deck guns belched sending roundshot down the line of English ships. The English returned fire but found the scattered clusters of pirate ships harder to hit with anything other than a deadshot. The plated hull of the Cutter was first to make contact with the English, a frigate HMS Sir Charles. The Cutter pulled away with minimal bruising; the Sir Charles had a three foot gash of broken wood just below the forecastle and above the waterline. The nearest pirate cluster edged in closer to the exchange between the Cutter and the Sir Charles, swarming the English ship. The death knell for the Sir Charles came from a broadside delivered by the Cutter, near pointblank, straight through the aftcastle.
It was not a ship on ship fight. Clusters of pirate ships working together would rush or fall back, swarming a single English warship, and then moving on to the next – taking hits from other English warships in stride, but ordered to ignore the attacks. All the while the noose was closing as Robert and Benjamin came in from the flanks. Eventually the tactics of draw in and swarm or rush and swarm gave way to individual ambitions – a shift in ship to ship fighting styles which favored the English captains.
The battle raged for about six hours before Admiral Wright (his command ship, the Great Henry, listing and smoldering) broke for open water – a retreat followed. Although the pirate fleet had it own damage and injured, Admiral Bonny would give chance, extending the battle by an additional 3 or 4 hours, but ultimately Benjamin James is able to draw Christopher away from the English stragglers.
The outcome of the battle is more or less seen as a draw – although the pirates list it as a victory. The English lost (captured, sunk, or later scuttled due to damage) 32 ships. The pirates lost 24 ships (all sunk), however the number rises to about 50 when certain other factors are taken into account. Such as the 10 ships which withdrew, and the pirates ships which, despite remaining in the battle, were too heavily damaged to have contributed much more.
Of the three Kelly children involved in the battle two are killed. John Tibbs and Jason Tibbs are killed during a failed boarding engagement onboard the Rampage (both are said to have fought bravely) (7). Harold Jones, who took over command of the Rampage upon the death of Captain McGregor who is shot and killed, is also injured with a head and shoulder wound but recovers.
Robert Devereaux has his ship shot out from under him. The Dire Chase (26 gun man of war) explodes during the late hours of the battle. Robert is flung overboard, and later fished out of the sea by another pirate ship – he received a bad head wound and was kept safe and guarded aboard the Rock Cove during the remainder of the battle.
June 1821:
Grace Kelly maintained her status as vice admiral through June – duties which amounted to organizing the repairs to the fleet, arguing over who and how the repairs were to be paid for, and settling minor arguments between factions regarding prisoners and prizes.
Christopher spent much of June away from the island patrolling for English ships and skirmishing with ones he found.
July 1821:
By mid July the English warships in the area had drifted away, the sense among the pirate leadership was that they had fallen back to regroup for another attack. Admiral Bonny took this time to assess his own resources. The Battle of Marsh Island had not been the death thrust he had been hoping for – although it was certainly a bloody nose for England. Support among the Council would not allow for a second assault, so he sided with the Council this time and focused on drawing the English in if needs be and staging raids and hit and run attacks.
On July 14th the Rampage (sail), Cutter (steam), and Archibald (steam) engage six English ships south of Jamestown. Admiral Bonny, aboard the Cutter, stuck with the plan – attempting to draw the English into a trap, which partially worked. The Cutter took a direct his to the aft quarter, damaging her engines and propeller – the ship was abandoned and scuttled. However, the English did give chase and were later driven off by the Jamestown defenses. Two of the English ships were sunk.
On the 21st a flotilla of ten English ships attacked Fort Dauphin, and although several marine unites were landed the English were driven off. No ships lost.
On the 24th a naval battle between 27 English ships and 15 pirate ships took place about 25 miles south of the Bowen Islands. Six of the pirate ships are sunk – only one of the English ships is lost.
August-September 1821:
By August the size of the flotillas had dwindled, so too did their frequency. Unknown to the pirates at the time but Admiral Wright had been replaced by Admiral Daniel Tennyson – who was under orders to address the pirates in the area, but more importantly to deal with the Dutch rebellion centered around Capetown.
The Archibald duels and wins against an English warship south of Fort Dauphin.
A naval battle takes place in the waters between Nova Island and Jamestown. A rare night battle. A flotilla of four English ships are spotted and chased (believed to have been headed for Nova Island). The Rampage loses a mast in the battle and is docked at the Morondava Yards for several months. One of the English ships is sunk, two are captured.
Samuel Bonny is caught up in the fighting between Madagascar and the English. The Revenge and the Black Rose were conducting a raid on the English stronghold of Fort Dean (southern Mozambique OTL) when three warships unexpectedly arrived. Both the Revenge and the Black Rose were lost trying to escape (8).
October-December 1821:
By late in the year the exchanges between the English and pirates had returned to levels more or less seen prior to the flare up in 1815.
The Founders Day celebration was a particularly jovial one this year.
Vice Admiral Kelly is dismissed from her duties – of which she is extremely happy to be rid of.
Notes:
1) Ending Governors: this was not initially Christopher’s idea. It was in fact Grace Kelly’s idea – and it was Yamillio and she who talked the new admiral from further punishing his uncle’s loyalists.
2) Runners: it was this shift from appointed overseers to committed communication (with the steam ships being mainly used) that laid the foundation for the development of an island-wide mail service in the years to come.
3) Commodore: although a title/rank used in other navies for years, this was the first of such appointments among the pirates. It was the first use of a clear chain of command in regards to combat. So many of the other collective forays, although mostly profitable, had ended up with bickering and fighting among captains.
4) Kelly, vice-admiral: at first she was honored to take on the position. And then she realized that accepting the position meant she would be kept from the heart of the battle – she found the duties tedious, and was said to have spent the next several months moody and aggressive.
5) The pirate fleet: it was an awesome collection of ships – by far the largest gathering of pirates in history. From Jamestown 30 ships were sent: 6 man of wars, 8 sloops, 4 galleons, 2 cogs, 2 frigates, 2 caravels. From Fort Dauphin 53 ships were sent, 24 sloops, 8 frigates, 1 balener, 6 indiamen, 4 caravels, 4 fluyts, 3 steam ships. From Port Mission 27 ships were sent, 4 indiamen, 10 sloops, 3 frigates, 4 corvettes, 3 gallons, 3 mows. From Morondava 16 sloops are sent. A further 33 ships are sent from various other towns and ports, 32 sloops, 6 cogs, 6 indianmen, 1 buss, and 5 fluyts.
6) Battle of Marsh Island: although the battle took the name from this island, the actual island was approximately 15 miles south of the battle.
7) John, Jason, Gisela Tibbs: John and Jason Tibbs were the children of Harold Tibbs (III) and Gisela – a laborer whom Harold had taken on as a nanny to help take care of his other child Paulien (born of a tryst between Harold and a woman by the name of Adella Baar). John was 17 and Jason was 15. Gisela would later commit suicide at the news of her sons’ deaths. She had already lost Paulien (she and Richard, cousins, had runaway together to Capetown) and now her sons – the grief was too much.
8) Samuel Bonny: he survives the sinking of his ship. So too does the captain of the Black Rose – a man by the name of Abhay Dwijen. The story is confused, in one version Samuel is said to have saved Abhay, in another Abhay saved Samuel, yet others have them running into each other much later after the battle. In any event, Abhay was the son of a wealthy merchant in Surat, the two make their way back to Abhay’s father (again, stories differ on which among them was injured, and how badly – was Abhay taking his injured friend to safety, or was Samuel bringing home the injured Abhay to his father?). Samuel spends the rest of his days in comfort – dying around 1832 – but never again sets foot on a ship.
This will likely be the last segment until after the New Year.
Cheers.
______________
1822:
United Republics: Western Pennsylvania and upper New York erupt in rebellion. Coastal barons and Republics voice anger in the Congress over the increase in piracy both close to home and the loss of ships trying to break into the Far East trade.
England: War with France continues. Second Boer War continues. Lunda declares war on England.
France: War with England.
Russian Empire: Nicholas’s army at Rostov is routed – with Nicholas narrowly escaping. At Popovka, and then further north at Dolzhykovo General Vasyl Orlov took control of several mines and defeated Constantine’s forces.
Spain-Orleans War: Napoleon grows increasingly ill throughout the year. His wife takes on many of his official duties while his son handled the war. Near the ancient city of Zempoala Charles defeats the Spanish both on land and sea. Charles continues to push on Veracruz but is unable to take the city.
Ottoman Empire: with most of the internal struggles under control Muhamd II now focuses his attention on the Persian War.
January 1822:
Admiral Christopher Bonny travels to New Arradon to the home of Jolie VanNelson (wife of the late Alric VanNelson, a great pirate artist, d.1806). Although there is no official record of this meeting, oral stories have it that this is when Christopher commissioned a flag for use by all pirates (1). There seems to have been a brief argument once Jolie told him how long it would probably take to fill his order. The Admiral left unhappy with the timetable, but an agreement was brokered all the same – as future (documented) events will tell.
Christopher travels back to Port Mission where he sends out word to the Council that he wanted to press the English further.
Entering the registry in both Fort Dauphin and Jamestown is a pirate by the name of Philip “Tripleshot” (actually his name was something French but so thick was his accent that almost no one could pronounce it – he got the name trippleshot from his tendency to shot his victims three times). There were a number of “nomadic” pirates which still visited Madagascar – pirates with no interest in the community – and Tripleshot was one of these. His place in history is mentioned here because during his visit to Jamestown he and Grace meet and started their on-again off-again relationship (although she has a few different lovers, when Grace decides to have a child, she chooses Tripleshot to be the father).
February 1822:
Many of the Council arrive in Port Mission (missing was Yamillio who had fallen ill). According to accounts the Council was reluctant to commit ships and wealth to the continued harassment of the English (2). Christopher was adamant, besides, he noted their contract with the French to pillage English shipping traveling from the east – this swayed the Kelly vote (the family had operated with contracts for nearly a hundred years, they had a great respect for signed agreements). When Mathew Jones announced his support Christophe Bonny smiled in victory – those ships alone would give him enough to conduct his expedition (3). As to the rest, there was a non-binding agreement – in other words, they would not call their factions to arms, but wouldn’t stop anyone if they wanted to join the Admiral’s raid.
March-May 1822:
Ships and supplies gathered at Port Mission – word was out about the Admiral’s expedition (4) and a number of ships were jockeying for dock space. The Admiral ended up having to turn several ships away (after having paid the captains generously – from the treasury - for their enthusiasm). In the end, Admiral Bonny took 15 ships with him – six from Port Mission, four from Jamestown (among them the Rampage with Captains Harold Jones), two from Fort Dauphin, and then one each from Toamasina, Iharana, and Kaominina. There were none of Christopher’s favored steamships – most likely because at the moment there were only two functioning ships, with three under construction.
Before leaving Christopher appointed a new vice admiral. He asked Grace Kelly first, but she declined – in part because she had her hands full with the orders coming out of the Forge, as well as shipping munitions and supplies to the Dutch farmers around Capetown, Lunda, and the Zulu, but also because she really didn’t like the idea of being stuck in Port Mission so far from any action. His second choice was his uncle-in-law Robert Devereaux, who accepted without much convincing.
At the end of May the ships set sail heading for India.
June 1822:
By the end of June Christopher’s fleet had entered the disputed region between the Vijayanagara Empire and the Persian Empire – specifically Karachi (5). Christopher set his pirates ashore raiding the trade center – but their stay was not long. Persian garrisons in the region were already on alert because of the war with the Ottomans and were quick to respond. A brief battle commenced – Christopher, apparently enjoying himself a little too much, was laughing while engaged in combat and took a dagger to the shoulder.
A single Persian warship did arrive during the battle, but it was easily sunk.
July 1822:
Three English merchant ships were taken near Bhavnagar – a large sum of silver is taken from one, and several crates of silks, and Chinese goods from the other.
Near Surat two French ships were warned to heave-to and be boarded – where the crews were spared in return for most of their cargo (both ships with large cargos of opium).
August 1822:
Through August Christopher and his fleet spent a lot of time hunting between Mumbai and Gao, some of the highlights are:
He took another English trade ship with a load of silver – after a brief standoff between the English trade ship, its warship escort, and the pirate fleet.
There was a larger battle just outside of Mumbai between four Venetian ships (two warships, two heavily armed merchant ships). Although the struggle would be a victory for the pirates, one of the trade ships does slip away, and two of Christopher’s ships are sunk – the haul in silver and opium was worth the loss.
Near the end of the month Christopher engaged in a chase of a French indiaman. The French ship would not give up without a fight and this time Christopher had to fire directly upon the trade ship in order to render a capture. Upon capturing the ship (another cargo of Opium), Christopher had words with the captain, who is quoted as shouting at the Admiral – “The King will hear of this!” whereupon Christopher ran the man through. Christopher left the ship to the French crew and departed – it is the last French vessel Christopher attacks during this expedition.
September 1822:
Christopher left the west coast for the east – by the end of September his ships were raiding the Bengal and Burma regions – both largely in unrest and disorder due to the recent invasion by French and Vijayanagara forces. Deep inland raids were conducted and several more trade ships were seized – three English ships, two Venetian, two Dutch, and Ethiopian, and a United Republic – another ship was captured, but was given freedom out of respect for the owner – First Citizen Napoleon Bonaparte.
October 1822:
Nearing the end of October, with his holds near bursting and crews eager to spend their shares, Christopher opted to head home. There was a split in the command, however, as Captain Jones wanted to continue on further east. Christopher gave the extended expedition his blessings – naming Harold Jones commodore. Jones and six other ships set sail south and then on further east. Christopher set sail with the remaining ships and headed west for Madagascar.
November – December 1822:
The Rampage hunted through the waters of Southeast Asia, raiding the southern coastal region of the Qing Empire and even Japan – eventually losing three ships – before heading home (Harold brought home a special prize, a wife (6)).
Christopher Bonny and his ships made it to Port Mission around the 27th of December.
For the last 50 years, or so, through trade and piracy opium could be found on Madagascar - this amounted to a fairly steady supply of about 100 chests a year. This December Christopher Bonny brought to the island nearly 150 crates of opium and various other goods. After making payments, and honoring the Kellys with special bonuses, Christopher divided up his opium into three groups. He kept a third for his personal use. A third was given to his friend Benjamin James to sell at other markets – Benjamin James would go on to make a tidy profit for Christopher and himself by selling the drugs to the French in Comoros, to the Ethiopians in the southern claimed territories, and to the Zulu through New Mission. The final third Christopher would sell for further profit through his family’s warehouses to the people of Port Mission, Fort Dauphin, and greater Madagascar.
(although it wouldn’t be until next year, upon the arrival of the Rampage a further 60 crates of opium are brought to the pirate shores)
Notes:
1) Flags: not all pirates operated with their own flag, in many ways pirate flags were/are very reminiscent of Irish and Scottish tartans. A family might not have their own colors; their tartan is the clan tartan, which may have its own colors then again might just be the colors of the larger chiefdom. Pirates were much the same way. Captains might have their own flag and they might not. If they belong to a larger faction the odds are they flew the factional flag. By the 1820s most of these flags were derived from the original Kelly flag. Around the 1740s/50s, during the height of Kelly authority, there was an attempt to create a unifying emblem – although the core group of Kelly loyalists did adopt the Kelly family flag, most took the idea and put their own mark on it. As Kelly authority waned, so did the strict use of their emblem – either the Kelly flag was discarded completely, or, more often, the Kelly flag was altered with a captain’s, or a new factions, own twist. Christopher Bonny had a good ear for the people – despite the everyday clashes and the Bowen Islands issue, at this time there was a high sentiment among the peoples of Madagascar of being one people. The time was right to try and give everyone a symbol to help them unite further…and, in the process raise his own standing and ranks of loyalists.
2) Bowen forgotten: the Bowen Islands were still in the hands of the English, however, the bloody couple of years (especially the hard fought battles of the previous year) had sated most of the bloodlust among the pirates. The fact that the recent flare up in fighting with the English was all based on taking back the Bowen Islands seems to have slipped the minds of most of the crews.
3) Kellys onboard: a side deal was negotiated. To show his appreciation, or perhaps to make sure they didn’t change their minds, Admiral Bonny promised to pay for the supplies and repairs – he actually wouldn’t pay for any of this out of his own pocket, he dipped into the treasury instead.
4) Christopher’s expedition: Christopher was fast becoming an opium addict. He picked up the habit after his injuries sustained in 1818 (missing his right hand, left leg below the knee). The real purpose of this raid was to supply him with opium and it is from this that the raid eventually comes to be called the Opium Expedition.
5) Karachi: this whole region was in dispute. Although, at the time of Bonny’s arrival it was claimed by the Raja, there were in fact a great many more Persian ships and garrisons in the area.
6) Harold’s wife: little is known about her. Masami was the daughter of a blacksmith – so Harold writes – in a village near the sea in the Shimane Prefecture. He was instantly taken by her beauty and took her for a prisoner – although intending to ransom her back, he fell in love with her. Their relationship, to begin with, was what you would suppose – she made three attempts to kill him. However, after the birth of their son in 1824 Masami seems to have come to terms with her situation. Harold later writes that after the birth of his son Masami became “almost pleasant towards me.” (even though Harold’s love for Masami was certainly greater then her’s for him – you could say he gushed about his feelings for her – this didn’t stop him from having a number of other partners, although his child with Masami is the only mentioned issue).
Cheers.
______________
1822:
United Republics: Western Pennsylvania and upper New York erupt in rebellion. Coastal barons and Republics voice anger in the Congress over the increase in piracy both close to home and the loss of ships trying to break into the Far East trade.
England: War with France continues. Second Boer War continues. Lunda declares war on England.
France: War with England.
Russian Empire: Nicholas’s army at Rostov is routed – with Nicholas narrowly escaping. At Popovka, and then further north at Dolzhykovo General Vasyl Orlov took control of several mines and defeated Constantine’s forces.
Spain-Orleans War: Napoleon grows increasingly ill throughout the year. His wife takes on many of his official duties while his son handled the war. Near the ancient city of Zempoala Charles defeats the Spanish both on land and sea. Charles continues to push on Veracruz but is unable to take the city.
Ottoman Empire: with most of the internal struggles under control Muhamd II now focuses his attention on the Persian War.
January 1822:
Admiral Christopher Bonny travels to New Arradon to the home of Jolie VanNelson (wife of the late Alric VanNelson, a great pirate artist, d.1806). Although there is no official record of this meeting, oral stories have it that this is when Christopher commissioned a flag for use by all pirates (1). There seems to have been a brief argument once Jolie told him how long it would probably take to fill his order. The Admiral left unhappy with the timetable, but an agreement was brokered all the same – as future (documented) events will tell.
Christopher travels back to Port Mission where he sends out word to the Council that he wanted to press the English further.
Entering the registry in both Fort Dauphin and Jamestown is a pirate by the name of Philip “Tripleshot” (actually his name was something French but so thick was his accent that almost no one could pronounce it – he got the name trippleshot from his tendency to shot his victims three times). There were a number of “nomadic” pirates which still visited Madagascar – pirates with no interest in the community – and Tripleshot was one of these. His place in history is mentioned here because during his visit to Jamestown he and Grace meet and started their on-again off-again relationship (although she has a few different lovers, when Grace decides to have a child, she chooses Tripleshot to be the father).
February 1822:
Many of the Council arrive in Port Mission (missing was Yamillio who had fallen ill). According to accounts the Council was reluctant to commit ships and wealth to the continued harassment of the English (2). Christopher was adamant, besides, he noted their contract with the French to pillage English shipping traveling from the east – this swayed the Kelly vote (the family had operated with contracts for nearly a hundred years, they had a great respect for signed agreements). When Mathew Jones announced his support Christophe Bonny smiled in victory – those ships alone would give him enough to conduct his expedition (3). As to the rest, there was a non-binding agreement – in other words, they would not call their factions to arms, but wouldn’t stop anyone if they wanted to join the Admiral’s raid.
March-May 1822:
Ships and supplies gathered at Port Mission – word was out about the Admiral’s expedition (4) and a number of ships were jockeying for dock space. The Admiral ended up having to turn several ships away (after having paid the captains generously – from the treasury - for their enthusiasm). In the end, Admiral Bonny took 15 ships with him – six from Port Mission, four from Jamestown (among them the Rampage with Captains Harold Jones), two from Fort Dauphin, and then one each from Toamasina, Iharana, and Kaominina. There were none of Christopher’s favored steamships – most likely because at the moment there were only two functioning ships, with three under construction.
Before leaving Christopher appointed a new vice admiral. He asked Grace Kelly first, but she declined – in part because she had her hands full with the orders coming out of the Forge, as well as shipping munitions and supplies to the Dutch farmers around Capetown, Lunda, and the Zulu, but also because she really didn’t like the idea of being stuck in Port Mission so far from any action. His second choice was his uncle-in-law Robert Devereaux, who accepted without much convincing.
At the end of May the ships set sail heading for India.
June 1822:
By the end of June Christopher’s fleet had entered the disputed region between the Vijayanagara Empire and the Persian Empire – specifically Karachi (5). Christopher set his pirates ashore raiding the trade center – but their stay was not long. Persian garrisons in the region were already on alert because of the war with the Ottomans and were quick to respond. A brief battle commenced – Christopher, apparently enjoying himself a little too much, was laughing while engaged in combat and took a dagger to the shoulder.
A single Persian warship did arrive during the battle, but it was easily sunk.
July 1822:
Three English merchant ships were taken near Bhavnagar – a large sum of silver is taken from one, and several crates of silks, and Chinese goods from the other.
Near Surat two French ships were warned to heave-to and be boarded – where the crews were spared in return for most of their cargo (both ships with large cargos of opium).
August 1822:
Through August Christopher and his fleet spent a lot of time hunting between Mumbai and Gao, some of the highlights are:
He took another English trade ship with a load of silver – after a brief standoff between the English trade ship, its warship escort, and the pirate fleet.
There was a larger battle just outside of Mumbai between four Venetian ships (two warships, two heavily armed merchant ships). Although the struggle would be a victory for the pirates, one of the trade ships does slip away, and two of Christopher’s ships are sunk – the haul in silver and opium was worth the loss.
Near the end of the month Christopher engaged in a chase of a French indiaman. The French ship would not give up without a fight and this time Christopher had to fire directly upon the trade ship in order to render a capture. Upon capturing the ship (another cargo of Opium), Christopher had words with the captain, who is quoted as shouting at the Admiral – “The King will hear of this!” whereupon Christopher ran the man through. Christopher left the ship to the French crew and departed – it is the last French vessel Christopher attacks during this expedition.
September 1822:
Christopher left the west coast for the east – by the end of September his ships were raiding the Bengal and Burma regions – both largely in unrest and disorder due to the recent invasion by French and Vijayanagara forces. Deep inland raids were conducted and several more trade ships were seized – three English ships, two Venetian, two Dutch, and Ethiopian, and a United Republic – another ship was captured, but was given freedom out of respect for the owner – First Citizen Napoleon Bonaparte.
October 1822:
Nearing the end of October, with his holds near bursting and crews eager to spend their shares, Christopher opted to head home. There was a split in the command, however, as Captain Jones wanted to continue on further east. Christopher gave the extended expedition his blessings – naming Harold Jones commodore. Jones and six other ships set sail south and then on further east. Christopher set sail with the remaining ships and headed west for Madagascar.
November – December 1822:
The Rampage hunted through the waters of Southeast Asia, raiding the southern coastal region of the Qing Empire and even Japan – eventually losing three ships – before heading home (Harold brought home a special prize, a wife (6)).
Christopher Bonny and his ships made it to Port Mission around the 27th of December.
For the last 50 years, or so, through trade and piracy opium could be found on Madagascar - this amounted to a fairly steady supply of about 100 chests a year. This December Christopher Bonny brought to the island nearly 150 crates of opium and various other goods. After making payments, and honoring the Kellys with special bonuses, Christopher divided up his opium into three groups. He kept a third for his personal use. A third was given to his friend Benjamin James to sell at other markets – Benjamin James would go on to make a tidy profit for Christopher and himself by selling the drugs to the French in Comoros, to the Ethiopians in the southern claimed territories, and to the Zulu through New Mission. The final third Christopher would sell for further profit through his family’s warehouses to the people of Port Mission, Fort Dauphin, and greater Madagascar.
(although it wouldn’t be until next year, upon the arrival of the Rampage a further 60 crates of opium are brought to the pirate shores)
Notes:
1) Flags: not all pirates operated with their own flag, in many ways pirate flags were/are very reminiscent of Irish and Scottish tartans. A family might not have their own colors; their tartan is the clan tartan, which may have its own colors then again might just be the colors of the larger chiefdom. Pirates were much the same way. Captains might have their own flag and they might not. If they belong to a larger faction the odds are they flew the factional flag. By the 1820s most of these flags were derived from the original Kelly flag. Around the 1740s/50s, during the height of Kelly authority, there was an attempt to create a unifying emblem – although the core group of Kelly loyalists did adopt the Kelly family flag, most took the idea and put their own mark on it. As Kelly authority waned, so did the strict use of their emblem – either the Kelly flag was discarded completely, or, more often, the Kelly flag was altered with a captain’s, or a new factions, own twist. Christopher Bonny had a good ear for the people – despite the everyday clashes and the Bowen Islands issue, at this time there was a high sentiment among the peoples of Madagascar of being one people. The time was right to try and give everyone a symbol to help them unite further…and, in the process raise his own standing and ranks of loyalists.
2) Bowen forgotten: the Bowen Islands were still in the hands of the English, however, the bloody couple of years (especially the hard fought battles of the previous year) had sated most of the bloodlust among the pirates. The fact that the recent flare up in fighting with the English was all based on taking back the Bowen Islands seems to have slipped the minds of most of the crews.
3) Kellys onboard: a side deal was negotiated. To show his appreciation, or perhaps to make sure they didn’t change their minds, Admiral Bonny promised to pay for the supplies and repairs – he actually wouldn’t pay for any of this out of his own pocket, he dipped into the treasury instead.
4) Christopher’s expedition: Christopher was fast becoming an opium addict. He picked up the habit after his injuries sustained in 1818 (missing his right hand, left leg below the knee). The real purpose of this raid was to supply him with opium and it is from this that the raid eventually comes to be called the Opium Expedition.
5) Karachi: this whole region was in dispute. Although, at the time of Bonny’s arrival it was claimed by the Raja, there were in fact a great many more Persian ships and garrisons in the area.
6) Harold’s wife: little is known about her. Masami was the daughter of a blacksmith – so Harold writes – in a village near the sea in the Shimane Prefecture. He was instantly taken by her beauty and took her for a prisoner – although intending to ransom her back, he fell in love with her. Their relationship, to begin with, was what you would suppose – she made three attempts to kill him. However, after the birth of their son in 1824 Masami seems to have come to terms with her situation. Harold later writes that after the birth of his son Masami became “almost pleasant towards me.” (even though Harold’s love for Masami was certainly greater then her’s for him – you could say he gushed about his feelings for her – this didn’t stop him from having a number of other partners, although his child with Masami is the only mentioned issue).
1823
United Republics: A series of family feuds violently escalate into cross border attacks between homesteaders in southern Georgia and Northern Florida. The Congress remains at odds with itself over several issues – among them the conflicts between Georgia and Florida, as well as between Pennsylvania and New York – both of which are facing theirown internal rebellions – arguments between Barons and State senators continue, and pirate activity continues to be an issue. President Hamilton is lampooned in letters and press as being loud of voice and week of will.
England: The Second Boer War drags on – England losses many native contingents, which join Boer side. The Gold Coast Army is crushed while battling a combined Ashanti/Lunda army.
England – France War: A joint French-Dutch army lands in Ireland. A French fleet is defeated at the Battle of Canary Islands.
France: French forces were still aiding the expansions in India – this upheaval, however, brought about the First Burmese War. Although a joint affair, mostly French ships and troops would fight in these battles.
Russian Empire: Nicholas’s (on the advice of aides and his wife)has General Vasyl Orlov removed from the front lines – Nicholas assumes control of his forward forces. At Tsaritsyn Nicholas and Constantine face off against each other – with Nicholas and his army being forced to retreat over the Volga.
Spain-Orleans War: Charles finally takes Veracruz – the last major battle of the war. Word is sent to the Spanish crown demanding their surrender.
Orleans Empire: First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte dies on March 13th – just a month after the completion of his Triumphant Arch. His wife - Louise Marie Therese Bathilde d’Orleans – is given the title of Regent by the Assembly, but in truth this was handed down mainly to please the people as the Assembly had plans to make Napoleon the first and last First Consul. This plot was largely foiled with the return of Napoleon Francois Joseph Charles Bonaparte (“Charles”) in late April. Although he did not claim the title – his leadership in battle and the victory over the Spanish had the people hailing him as First Consul. Charles’ first act was, with the help of his mother, to purge the Assembly of those whom tried to do away with the Consulship.
Ottoman Empire: Muhamd II defeats several Persian strongholds along the coast and late in the year puts Tehran under siege.
Spanish Empire: With the defeat at Veracruz still fresh, news reaches Spain that Peru was once again in rebellion.
January – February 1823:
Little of note although Admiral Bonny slipped ever more into his opium addiction.
March 1823:
In early March Captain Jones of the Rampage, and what remained of his flotilla, arrived back in Port Mission. Jones offered up the traditional percentage to the Admiral, whom in return paid for the repairs to the Rampage (1).
Jones returned to Nova Island via Fort Dauphin and Jamestown – where the selling off of his silks, gold, silver, and opium made him and his crew a substantial sum (and further lined Grace Kelly’s purse, as head of the family she was due a percentage of the expeditions haul).
April 1823:
By April Admiral Bonny’s addiction was being openly discussed among the Council of Captains, and whispered in the streets of most towns. Although the Council was not due to meet until about June, Captain (and Council Member) Robert Devereaux (Oliver Bonny’s son-in-law) called for a meeting – to be held in secret. It was agreed that the Council would meet in Morondava – each under the guise of ordering or checking on ship building.
Most of the talking, and arguing, was done by Devereaux and Mathew Jones. For the others on the Council they were willing to ignore Bonny’s addiction and lavish spending because profits were up, there was no impending clash with outsiders, there were no current feuds which threatened to destabilize the peace, and they were being left alone. For Devereaux it was a simple matter – no crew would put up with a captain who was so routinely drunk he couldn’t lift his sword to fight. The Kellys, not wanting to lose an Admiral whom they had great influence over, backed Bonny – Mathew Jones made the case that life for a great pirate such as Christopher Bonny was very dull to be stuck on land so much; The Admiral wasn’t wasting away, he was bored.
In the end, it was decided that the Council would put the Admiral to a test. Such an atmosphere of calm needed to be celebrated – it was time for a Grand Games (2). If the Admiral was unwilling or unable to lead in this simple task then the Council would call for a new election.
May 1823:
Captains/Council Members Jones and Devereaux traveled to Port Mission to present the idea to the Admiral. Probably much to Devereaux’s chagrin Admiral Bonny loved the idea and embraced it thoroughly.
News went out (utilizing the steamships as messengers) and plans began to be made – the date set for July 1st.
June 1823:
Little of note.
July 1823:
The Grand Games (3): actually began on the 4th.
The population of Port Mission swelled in the days leading up to the Games. As before, the main buzz was around the start of the Race. For the first time in Race history there was a previous winner ready to defend his title. Captain Remi de Lar – semi-retired these last five years in New Arradon – had reclaimed his ship the Sang Sans Fin just for the occasion. Admiral Bonny, however, committed a serious faux pas by entering himself in the Race – something that had not been done since Admiral McCrimmon (1778-1780)…McCrimmon was not well liked.
In all, 24 ships signed the registry – each of the Council Members had a ship and there was at least one ship from every major port around the Colony. The prize this year was a hundred doubloons – and as before, the money changing hands on the side was far greater (4). Around noon on the 4th the Port Mission cannons sounded the start of the Race. The course was one round of Madagascar, with the victor going to the first to dock back in Port Mission. This year the course had a few surprises; there were designated points at which the ships had to sail in close to land and be subjected to cannon fire from land (5). Again the steamships would be serving as messengers to relay news back to Port Mission and the other major ports.
Mathew Jones was on hand to host the land events. Broadside and Lacrosse were featured again, but this time also fencing, and wrestling. In keeping with the events of the last Games Mathew saw to the formation of Laborer teams for each of these events – freedom or a placement on a ship as their prize.
The fields at the Bonny school were the main theater for the Broadside and Lacrosse games.
In the first round of Broadside games: it was Jamestown/Port Mission, Fort Dauphin/Kaominina, Iharana/Morondava, Manakara/Toamasina, Antananarivo (a team of Clergy)/Forecastle, and two Labor teams (pulled from the Port Mission camp) hastily put together to round out the matches.
In round two: it was Jamestown/Kaominina, Morondava/Toamasina, Antananarivo/a labor team.
In round three Jamestown, Morondava, and Antananarivo each played a game against the other – the two teams with the most wins went on to face each other (Jamestown lost both its matches).
The finals were Morondava vs Antananarivo – with Morondava winning.
The Lacrosse games stretched on for nearly two weeks as there were a great many more teams competing (neither Jamestown nor Fort Dauphin faired very well in these matches, both were knocked out early on). The labor team here made it to the finals (lacrosse having become a popular game within the camps) but was defeated by the Forecastle team.
The broadside and lacrosse matches gave way to the fencing and wrestling matches. Of note here, was the victory in the wrestling games of a laborer by the name of Victor Suvorov. He was granted pirate status and given a place on the pirate ship of his choice (he would alter choose the Rampage).
During these events news of the Race trickled in. By July 9th three ships had been knocked out of the race at the first cannon emplacement, but the rest had rounded Fort Dauphin. Near Apathy around day 7 the Rampage collided with the Turncoat Chaser (Robert Devereaux’s ship) – although there was some ship to ship fire no deaths were reported. The Rampage would take the lead. This exchange, however, sparked three other exchanges – with broadsides being shared between the Crest and the Native Dance (both ships out from Port Mission), the Crest took the most damage and by Jamestown was out of the race. On the 13th of July the ships were passing Jamestown, where, on the northern limits of the city they were again subjected to roundshot – this time, all of the emplacements were taken out by the return fire from the ships. The race was quiet until the 16th when, near Maintirano, ships out from Morondava gave chase – the rules being, whomever was overtaken by these ships would be out of the race. Three ships were “caught” – among them the Indri, King Boabuana ship. Nothing of consequence happened next until the 22nd when nearing Iharana the ships were blasted again by cannons. This time Admiral Bonny’s ship, the Victory took a direct hit to the aftcastle which started a small fire – the Admiral dropped from among the front runners to the second pack. On the 24th the ships were rounding Mission Island with the Rampage and the Turncoat Chaser in the lead – it would be Harold Jones of the Rampage this year. Devereaux came in second, with Captain de Lar pulling in third – the Admiral and crew came in sixth.
Admiral Bonny would go on to spend a great deal on free drinks for all the crews. As well as the 100 gold pieces, Admiral Bonny also presented to Captain Harold Jones – in a lavish ceremony – the first official flag of the Malgasy peoples (6). White stripes crisscross corner to corner over a black field, with a red diamond at the center where the lines intersect – a red triangle nearly fills the first quadrant on the left-hand side, within it is a cluster of four white starts and an emblem of three overlapped images: a helm wheel, a cannon, and a spear.
Harold hoists this new flag alongside the Kelly flag his ship already flies.
August 1823:
Little of note.
September 1823:
By September Admiral Bonny’s addiction was openly being discussed again. Devereaux tried to set up another meeting with the Council of Captains, but this time the others refused.
October 1823:
Admiral Bonny was not present during the Council meeting at the end of October. He sent word of an unspecified illness and that he placed the meeting in the hands of Mathew Jones. Again the issue of Bonny’s competency was addressed. Arguments were made by both Robert Devereaux and Mathew Jones, but Devereaux could not win over the rest who were enjoying increased authority – and revenue – with this absentee admiral.
Although the meeting would continue, Robert Devereaux walked out.
November 1823:
Jolie VanNelson died on the 24th of this month. She was found in a chair, seemingly asleep, by the front room hearth of the Painter’s Shack (the inn she started with Kora Black) (7). After some debate it was decided that she would be buried with her husband (his tomb was opened and she was laid inside).
December 1823:
Little of note, although Fikru and Talitha welcome Jack Bonny into the world on December the 3rd.
Notes:
1) Bonny’s generosity: although the Admiral rewarded Harold Jones with gifts and repairs – it appears as if Bonny had no interest in the other ships which returned with the Rampage. Anger and jealousy nearly boiled over into a small riot at the Mission Inn one night, but was handled by Harold Jones who paid tribute to his fellow captains by paying for their repairs – and drinks while he was in port.
2) The Grand Games: the previous Games were held in 1811 and were very popular with all Malagasy (as always, especially the Race).
3) Venue: although the Games were mainly held on Mission Island, all across Madagascar towns and villages were holding their own events.
4) Gambling: as before, side betting was big money. This time around, however, the Kellys weren’t the only purse taking bets. There are several stories of skirmishes between the Kellys and rival “betting gangs” all over Port Mission. In the end, the Kellys muscled out most of the competition.
5) Round Shot: a rather ingenious system was built to fire timed shots at the racing ships. A collection of pulleys, fuses, and counterweights produced “automated” cannons that allowed for the racing ships to return fire without the risk of killing anyone left to man the land emplacements.
6) The Flag: Jolie VanNelson is credited with making the first “unified” Malagasy flag. However, recent research into this has discovered that she acted in mainly a supportive role during its completion. There is evidence that she collaborated with others on the design, and did sew a handkerchief sized mockup, but only supervised in the actual construction.
7) Jolie VanNelson: Born Jolie Ansell in 1767 in the village of Arradon, France. She was the daughter of Giles Ansell – a baker. There is little on record about her childhood other than her self statements of growing up happy. She met her future husband, Alric VanNelson (1763-1806), in either 1782 of 1783 when he came to Arradon looking for work – he would eventually find work at the bakery (although if this, or the courtship, came first is unknown). In 1785, escaping the French Civil War, she and a small host of others – and under the leadership of Alric – arrived in Madagascar. She helped found New Arradon later this same year. She established a bakery with her father in New Arradon, as well as a home (her father dying around the year 1800). In time, with the help of the VanNelsons, New Arradon became a beacon for other wayward artists. In 1806 she lost her husband during an English/Taylor raid on New Arradon. In 1811 she opened New Arradon’s first inn with Kora Black (a woman and pirate whom would be Jolie’s only true friend). However, just a few short years later, in 1818, Kora drinks herself to death. Jolie went through a couple of years of deep depression after the death of her friend. In 1822 she is approached by Admiral Christopher Bonny to create a flag for all Malagasy. In the months leading up to her death in 1823 she complained of stomach pain.
United Republics: A series of family feuds violently escalate into cross border attacks between homesteaders in southern Georgia and Northern Florida. The Congress remains at odds with itself over several issues – among them the conflicts between Georgia and Florida, as well as between Pennsylvania and New York – both of which are facing theirown internal rebellions – arguments between Barons and State senators continue, and pirate activity continues to be an issue. President Hamilton is lampooned in letters and press as being loud of voice and week of will.
England: The Second Boer War drags on – England losses many native contingents, which join Boer side. The Gold Coast Army is crushed while battling a combined Ashanti/Lunda army.
England – France War: A joint French-Dutch army lands in Ireland. A French fleet is defeated at the Battle of Canary Islands.
France: French forces were still aiding the expansions in India – this upheaval, however, brought about the First Burmese War. Although a joint affair, mostly French ships and troops would fight in these battles.
Russian Empire: Nicholas’s (on the advice of aides and his wife)has General Vasyl Orlov removed from the front lines – Nicholas assumes control of his forward forces. At Tsaritsyn Nicholas and Constantine face off against each other – with Nicholas and his army being forced to retreat over the Volga.
Spain-Orleans War: Charles finally takes Veracruz – the last major battle of the war. Word is sent to the Spanish crown demanding their surrender.
Orleans Empire: First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte dies on March 13th – just a month after the completion of his Triumphant Arch. His wife - Louise Marie Therese Bathilde d’Orleans – is given the title of Regent by the Assembly, but in truth this was handed down mainly to please the people as the Assembly had plans to make Napoleon the first and last First Consul. This plot was largely foiled with the return of Napoleon Francois Joseph Charles Bonaparte (“Charles”) in late April. Although he did not claim the title – his leadership in battle and the victory over the Spanish had the people hailing him as First Consul. Charles’ first act was, with the help of his mother, to purge the Assembly of those whom tried to do away with the Consulship.
Ottoman Empire: Muhamd II defeats several Persian strongholds along the coast and late in the year puts Tehran under siege.
Spanish Empire: With the defeat at Veracruz still fresh, news reaches Spain that Peru was once again in rebellion.
January – February 1823:
Little of note although Admiral Bonny slipped ever more into his opium addiction.
March 1823:
In early March Captain Jones of the Rampage, and what remained of his flotilla, arrived back in Port Mission. Jones offered up the traditional percentage to the Admiral, whom in return paid for the repairs to the Rampage (1).
Jones returned to Nova Island via Fort Dauphin and Jamestown – where the selling off of his silks, gold, silver, and opium made him and his crew a substantial sum (and further lined Grace Kelly’s purse, as head of the family she was due a percentage of the expeditions haul).
April 1823:
By April Admiral Bonny’s addiction was being openly discussed among the Council of Captains, and whispered in the streets of most towns. Although the Council was not due to meet until about June, Captain (and Council Member) Robert Devereaux (Oliver Bonny’s son-in-law) called for a meeting – to be held in secret. It was agreed that the Council would meet in Morondava – each under the guise of ordering or checking on ship building.
Most of the talking, and arguing, was done by Devereaux and Mathew Jones. For the others on the Council they were willing to ignore Bonny’s addiction and lavish spending because profits were up, there was no impending clash with outsiders, there were no current feuds which threatened to destabilize the peace, and they were being left alone. For Devereaux it was a simple matter – no crew would put up with a captain who was so routinely drunk he couldn’t lift his sword to fight. The Kellys, not wanting to lose an Admiral whom they had great influence over, backed Bonny – Mathew Jones made the case that life for a great pirate such as Christopher Bonny was very dull to be stuck on land so much; The Admiral wasn’t wasting away, he was bored.
In the end, it was decided that the Council would put the Admiral to a test. Such an atmosphere of calm needed to be celebrated – it was time for a Grand Games (2). If the Admiral was unwilling or unable to lead in this simple task then the Council would call for a new election.
May 1823:
Captains/Council Members Jones and Devereaux traveled to Port Mission to present the idea to the Admiral. Probably much to Devereaux’s chagrin Admiral Bonny loved the idea and embraced it thoroughly.
News went out (utilizing the steamships as messengers) and plans began to be made – the date set for July 1st.
June 1823:
Little of note.
July 1823:
The Grand Games (3): actually began on the 4th.
The population of Port Mission swelled in the days leading up to the Games. As before, the main buzz was around the start of the Race. For the first time in Race history there was a previous winner ready to defend his title. Captain Remi de Lar – semi-retired these last five years in New Arradon – had reclaimed his ship the Sang Sans Fin just for the occasion. Admiral Bonny, however, committed a serious faux pas by entering himself in the Race – something that had not been done since Admiral McCrimmon (1778-1780)…McCrimmon was not well liked.
In all, 24 ships signed the registry – each of the Council Members had a ship and there was at least one ship from every major port around the Colony. The prize this year was a hundred doubloons – and as before, the money changing hands on the side was far greater (4). Around noon on the 4th the Port Mission cannons sounded the start of the Race. The course was one round of Madagascar, with the victor going to the first to dock back in Port Mission. This year the course had a few surprises; there were designated points at which the ships had to sail in close to land and be subjected to cannon fire from land (5). Again the steamships would be serving as messengers to relay news back to Port Mission and the other major ports.
Mathew Jones was on hand to host the land events. Broadside and Lacrosse were featured again, but this time also fencing, and wrestling. In keeping with the events of the last Games Mathew saw to the formation of Laborer teams for each of these events – freedom or a placement on a ship as their prize.
The fields at the Bonny school were the main theater for the Broadside and Lacrosse games.
In the first round of Broadside games: it was Jamestown/Port Mission, Fort Dauphin/Kaominina, Iharana/Morondava, Manakara/Toamasina, Antananarivo (a team of Clergy)/Forecastle, and two Labor teams (pulled from the Port Mission camp) hastily put together to round out the matches.
In round two: it was Jamestown/Kaominina, Morondava/Toamasina, Antananarivo/a labor team.
In round three Jamestown, Morondava, and Antananarivo each played a game against the other – the two teams with the most wins went on to face each other (Jamestown lost both its matches).
The finals were Morondava vs Antananarivo – with Morondava winning.
The Lacrosse games stretched on for nearly two weeks as there were a great many more teams competing (neither Jamestown nor Fort Dauphin faired very well in these matches, both were knocked out early on). The labor team here made it to the finals (lacrosse having become a popular game within the camps) but was defeated by the Forecastle team.
The broadside and lacrosse matches gave way to the fencing and wrestling matches. Of note here, was the victory in the wrestling games of a laborer by the name of Victor Suvorov. He was granted pirate status and given a place on the pirate ship of his choice (he would alter choose the Rampage).
During these events news of the Race trickled in. By July 9th three ships had been knocked out of the race at the first cannon emplacement, but the rest had rounded Fort Dauphin. Near Apathy around day 7 the Rampage collided with the Turncoat Chaser (Robert Devereaux’s ship) – although there was some ship to ship fire no deaths were reported. The Rampage would take the lead. This exchange, however, sparked three other exchanges – with broadsides being shared between the Crest and the Native Dance (both ships out from Port Mission), the Crest took the most damage and by Jamestown was out of the race. On the 13th of July the ships were passing Jamestown, where, on the northern limits of the city they were again subjected to roundshot – this time, all of the emplacements were taken out by the return fire from the ships. The race was quiet until the 16th when, near Maintirano, ships out from Morondava gave chase – the rules being, whomever was overtaken by these ships would be out of the race. Three ships were “caught” – among them the Indri, King Boabuana ship. Nothing of consequence happened next until the 22nd when nearing Iharana the ships were blasted again by cannons. This time Admiral Bonny’s ship, the Victory took a direct hit to the aftcastle which started a small fire – the Admiral dropped from among the front runners to the second pack. On the 24th the ships were rounding Mission Island with the Rampage and the Turncoat Chaser in the lead – it would be Harold Jones of the Rampage this year. Devereaux came in second, with Captain de Lar pulling in third – the Admiral and crew came in sixth.
Admiral Bonny would go on to spend a great deal on free drinks for all the crews. As well as the 100 gold pieces, Admiral Bonny also presented to Captain Harold Jones – in a lavish ceremony – the first official flag of the Malgasy peoples (6). White stripes crisscross corner to corner over a black field, with a red diamond at the center where the lines intersect – a red triangle nearly fills the first quadrant on the left-hand side, within it is a cluster of four white starts and an emblem of three overlapped images: a helm wheel, a cannon, and a spear.
Harold hoists this new flag alongside the Kelly flag his ship already flies.
August 1823:
Little of note.
September 1823:
By September Admiral Bonny’s addiction was openly being discussed again. Devereaux tried to set up another meeting with the Council of Captains, but this time the others refused.
October 1823:
Admiral Bonny was not present during the Council meeting at the end of October. He sent word of an unspecified illness and that he placed the meeting in the hands of Mathew Jones. Again the issue of Bonny’s competency was addressed. Arguments were made by both Robert Devereaux and Mathew Jones, but Devereaux could not win over the rest who were enjoying increased authority – and revenue – with this absentee admiral.
Although the meeting would continue, Robert Devereaux walked out.
November 1823:
Jolie VanNelson died on the 24th of this month. She was found in a chair, seemingly asleep, by the front room hearth of the Painter’s Shack (the inn she started with Kora Black) (7). After some debate it was decided that she would be buried with her husband (his tomb was opened and she was laid inside).
December 1823:
Little of note, although Fikru and Talitha welcome Jack Bonny into the world on December the 3rd.
Notes:
1) Bonny’s generosity: although the Admiral rewarded Harold Jones with gifts and repairs – it appears as if Bonny had no interest in the other ships which returned with the Rampage. Anger and jealousy nearly boiled over into a small riot at the Mission Inn one night, but was handled by Harold Jones who paid tribute to his fellow captains by paying for their repairs – and drinks while he was in port.
2) The Grand Games: the previous Games were held in 1811 and were very popular with all Malagasy (as always, especially the Race).
3) Venue: although the Games were mainly held on Mission Island, all across Madagascar towns and villages were holding their own events.
4) Gambling: as before, side betting was big money. This time around, however, the Kellys weren’t the only purse taking bets. There are several stories of skirmishes between the Kellys and rival “betting gangs” all over Port Mission. In the end, the Kellys muscled out most of the competition.
5) Round Shot: a rather ingenious system was built to fire timed shots at the racing ships. A collection of pulleys, fuses, and counterweights produced “automated” cannons that allowed for the racing ships to return fire without the risk of killing anyone left to man the land emplacements.
6) The Flag: Jolie VanNelson is credited with making the first “unified” Malagasy flag. However, recent research into this has discovered that she acted in mainly a supportive role during its completion. There is evidence that she collaborated with others on the design, and did sew a handkerchief sized mockup, but only supervised in the actual construction.
7) Jolie VanNelson: Born Jolie Ansell in 1767 in the village of Arradon, France. She was the daughter of Giles Ansell – a baker. There is little on record about her childhood other than her self statements of growing up happy. She met her future husband, Alric VanNelson (1763-1806), in either 1782 of 1783 when he came to Arradon looking for work – he would eventually find work at the bakery (although if this, or the courtship, came first is unknown). In 1785, escaping the French Civil War, she and a small host of others – and under the leadership of Alric – arrived in Madagascar. She helped found New Arradon later this same year. She established a bakery with her father in New Arradon, as well as a home (her father dying around the year 1800). In time, with the help of the VanNelsons, New Arradon became a beacon for other wayward artists. In 1806 she lost her husband during an English/Taylor raid on New Arradon. In 1811 she opened New Arradon’s first inn with Kora Black (a woman and pirate whom would be Jolie’s only true friend). However, just a few short years later, in 1818, Kora drinks herself to death. Jolie went through a couple of years of deep depression after the death of her friend. In 1822 she is approached by Admiral Christopher Bonny to create a flag for all Malagasy. In the months leading up to her death in 1823 she complained of stomach pain.