Database: Governor of Order

NASSAU//THE BAHAMAS//1717

In the aftermath of the War of the Spanish Succession, the British colonies in the Bahamas were practically ungoverned and undefended which attracted hundreds of pirates. In 1717, the English privateer Woodes Rogers was appointed royal governor of the Bahamas and was commissioned to destroy the pirate stronghold.

Rogers offered royal pardons in exchange for the cessation of pirate activities, and was able to crack down on the pirates, despite the fact that several of them returned to piracy soon after taking the pardon. Rogers also organized several mass hangings of pirates during the year 1718. However, there were problems of communication between Rogers and the British authorities, and Rogers was replaced as Governor of the Bahamas on June 12, 1721, though he would regain the position in 1728.