A General History of the Pirates · Chapter
Of Capt. George Lowther, and His Crew explained
This chapter details the pirate career of Captain George Lowther, from his mutiny and establishment of a pirate crew with articles, to his partnership and eventual split with Captain Massey, his engagements with merchant vessels, his allian
What happens
This chapter details the pirate career of Captain George Lowther, from his mutiny and establishment of a pirate crew with articles, to his partnership and eventual split with Captain Massey, his engagements with merchant vessels, his alliance and later separation from Edward Low, and his final defeat by the natives at Port Mayo, leading to his death.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Evans's tra…
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Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Corruption of Colonial Governance
Lowther's crew operated under a formal set of articles, yet their actions were purely piratical, highlighting the blurred line between privateer and pirate.
- Economic Despair as a Driver of Piracy
Lowther and his men turned to piracy after leaving a settlement, motivated by the promise of plunder and a share system that rewarded risk.
- Violence, Brutality, and Moral Depravity
The pirates whipped, beat, and cut crewmen of captured vessels, and engaged in brutal engagements, reflecting the harsh realities of pirate life.
Characters to notice
- George Lowther
Captain of the pirate sloop Delivery, later Happy Delivery; led the crew through various captures and conflicts.
- John Massey
Captain Massey, a soldier turned pirate, who quarreled with Lowther over plans to attack French settlements and later left the crew.
- Edward Low
Captain Low, who joined Lowther at Grand Cayman, later split from him due to unruly behavior, taking 44 men and a brigantine.
- Charles Harris
Former second mate of the Greyhound, taken by pirates and later made captain of a sloop in Lowther's fleet.
- Benjamin Hornigold
Not directly mentioned in this chapter; included as a placeholder for potential future reference.
Key passages
“The captain is to have two full shares; the master is to have one share and a half; the doctor, Mate, gunner, and boatswain, one share and a quarter.”
The captain receives double the standard share, the master gets one and a half shares, and the doctor, mate, gunner, and boatswain each get one and a quarter shares.
This outlines the share distribution in Lowther's pirate articles.
“He that shall be found guilty of taking up any unlawful weapon on board the privateer, or any prize, by us taken, so as to strike or abuse one another, in any regard, shall suffer what punishment the captain and majority of the company shall think fit.”
Anyone caught drawing a weapon to strike or abuse another crew member will be punished as decided by the captain and majority vote.
This article prohibits internal violence and establishes collective punishment.
“He that shall have the misfortune to lose a limb, in time of engagement, shall have the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds sterling, and remain with the company as long as he shall think fit.”
Any crew member who loses a limb in battle will receive 150 pounds and may stay with the crew as long as they wish.
This compensation clause incentivizes loyalty and risk-taking in combat.
