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SWALLOW
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(64) |
4th rate
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Built in 1703, Deptford.
Broken up in 1728. |
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- 1722 Capt. Challoner OGLE.
In April 1722 SWALLOW was cruising off the coast of Africa in search of a pirate squadron commanded by one Roberts, when he received intelligence that they were in a bay close to Cape Lopez. He disguised the SWALLOW to pass as a merchant vessel, then standing in to the shore he found three vessels, the largest, commanded by Roberts mounting 40 guns, and the smallest, with 24 guns, lying on the heel, cleaning their bottoms. Roberts signalled to the remaining ship, OF 32 guns and commanded by a Capt. Skyrm, to slip his cable and chase after the SWALLOW. Capt. OGLE pretended to fly and decoyed the pirate to a distance where the guns could not be heard, then disclosed his real identity. Although Skyrm was wounded in the first broadside, it took an action of an hour and a half before they surrendered. Capt. OGLE hoisted the pirates colours over that of the king and returned to the bay. The pirates had, in the meantime, righted their ships and sailed out of the bay to congratulate their companion on his success. The SWALLOW brought their ships to action and captured them both after two hours, Roberts being among those killed. The ships were taken to St. Thomas's and the prisoners to Cape Coast Castle. Seventy-four received sentence of death, of which fifty-two were actually executed, many were afterward hanged in chains along the coast, as a warning to others. Capt. OGLE was knighted on his return to England.
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