Alonzo Batilla
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Alonzo Batilla was a French pirate, active in the Caribbean, during the early 18th century. Following his career as a pirate, Alonzo befriended the infamous Frenchman Olivier Levasseur, and after Levasseur's execution by the British, searched for his treasure.
Biography
Early Life and meeting La Buse
Born in France, Alonzo was a wanted criminal who joined the French Navy in the port of Toulon under an alias in order to escape the laws of his country. Serving in the fleet of Admiral Cassard, Batilla participated in the Battles of Montserrat and Antigua in the Caribbean. In battle, he distinguished himself by being an expert shooter and the first to jump on the enemy ships, killing half a dozen English sailors by himself. Not wanting to come back to France, Batilla deserted after the war and recruited four other sailors in order to plunder merchant ships in the Caribbean Sea.
In June 1716, he boldly attacked the better-equipped merchant schooner captained by the Templar Barnes. Alonzo's crew was killed and Batilla himself was put in irons in order to be hanged later as an example for the other pirates. In the hold of the schooner in which he was locked, Batilla discovered another prisoner, an escaped slave named Jumao. While sailing near Devil's Rock, the schooner was attacked by the French pirate, Olivier Levasseur, also known as La Buse. Levasseur recruited Alonzo and Jumao, and gave Alonzo the command of a gunboat called The Serpent and told him to meet him at the Scorpion Reef.
Life as a pirate
After battling a British gunboat, Alonzo went to Scorpion Reef to meet Levasseur. There, Alonzo asked him for a bigger ship, feeling disappointed with his own vessel's size. Levasseur agreed and led Alonzo past a British brig, and told him to sink two gunboats and take the schooner, The Wanderer as his own.
Feeling happy with a new ship, Alonzo decided to attack the brig he avoided earlier, though Levasseur advised him not too, warning him about Benjamin Hornigold's rules, but Alonzo ignored him and attacked the brig regardless. After sinking the brig, Levasseur informed Alonzo that the path he chose would lead to pain and misery, and that it was the end of their partnership. Alonzo argued that they both should sail together, and claim the greatest prizes. Levasseur refused, however, and left afterward. A discouraged Alonzo began to chase after Levasseur and soon caught up with him. There, Levasseur told Alonzo to meet him near the west of Hispaniola, to test Alonzo's wisdom.
Trivia
- Alonzo is a Spanish variant of the Old German Alphonse, the meaning of which is either interpreted as "noble and ready" or "ready for battle".
Gallery
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Close-up of Alonzo -
Promotional art of Alonzo
