A Pirate Story
By Leon Hernandez Gamiņo Jaime

Captain John Clipperton of London, England sailed out of Holland on the Prince on October 11, 1712. After capturing the Spanish ship Jesus Maria off of Peru, Clipperton went to Cabo San Lucas and the Tres Marias Islands, but since he did not find sufficient provisions there he decided to go to Valle de Banderas. The population at Valle de Banderas was less than 200, but there were plenty of cattle, timber for repairs, fruit trees (limes, bananas, guavas, cacao)—a virtual paradise for these pirates so far from home. This would be their waiting place for The Manilla galleon, which came from the Philippines to Acapulco and was the prize of all prizes on the entire ocean.

Clipperton captured Spanish Captain Boyer of the Jesus Maria and ordered him to speak to local Spanish authorities on shore. Boyer was to tell the authorities that they were French en route to the Orient, but had encountered heavy storms and had stopped here to make repairs. He also requested beef to feed the crew. This story was conveyed to the Spanish and one or two steers were brought each day in exchange for money or goods the local people desired.

One day, however, a prisoner escaped and told the authorities who Clipperton really was. On the moonless night of October 11, 1714, four canoes slipped up to the Prince and the two sides battled briefly, resulting in 12 captured. The captured were taken to the nearest hacienda to be interrogated. The next morning the rest of the crew surrendered, except for Clipperton and four crew members who had managed to escape during the night.

They built a raft of barrels and planks and took with them a sack of bullets, 10 or 12 carbines, a gold dagger, powder, a chest covered in a jaguar skin containing papers and another chest containing jewels, silver and gold. They paddled during the night crossing the bay from north to south, but close to shore the waves broke up the raft. The men had to swim to shore. They managed to salvage the chest with the jewels, silver and gold and some carbines, but the rest of the items, including the jaguar skin covered chest, clothes, and some important tools, were lost. All five survived the crossing and were living on crabs and wild bananas, but were caught 12 days later under a large shade tree. They gave up peacefully, giving the treasure chest to the Spanish. Years later Clipperton was released and was back cruising the oceans.

For further information on this topic, contact Leon Hernandez Gamiņo Jaime cobrapv@usa.net or visit http://vallartainfo.com.