Sunday, February 17, 2013

Seafaring Sunday: Departure of Doom

February 17, 1700: HMS Advice leaves Boston Harbor for London. She is carrying a frail, sickly man of 55 years who was once a prominent citizen of Massachusetts Colony. He is on his way to stand trial for piracy and will die most pitiably at the end of a rope at Execution Dock in Wapping. His name is William Kidd.

Header: William Kidd in New York Harbor by J.L.G. Ferris via Wikipedia ~ a fanciful imagining of Kidd at the height of his success
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3 comments:

  1. Charles L. WallaceFebruary 17, 2013 at 2:56 AM

    Poor, unfortunate Dundee man (they were saying that quite frequently at Parkhead on Saturday, but I digress)...

    Others far surpassed Kidd in deed, yet he has gained immortality through memory. How many would accept such a bargain, if offered?

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  2. Timmy!February 17, 2013 at 11:46 PM

    Somebody had to pay and Kidd was the designated scapegoat, Pauline...

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  3. PaulineFebruary 18, 2013 at 2:24 PM

    Wally and Timmy!: You both hit the nail on the head, I'd say. Kidd is surely more to be pitied than censored.

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