Description:

United States Navy



Naval Ships Captain's Letter - Man Overboard During Piracy Era in Cuba

 

Bi-fold autograph letter signed with integral address leaf, 7.75" x 9.5". Penned to recto of the first page and second page, balance of pages blank. Dated "Matanzas [Cuba] March 14, 1823", and signed by Joshua Gray "Joshua Gray" on the second page. Seal tear does not affect text. With red New York postmark, red SHIP handstamp and manuscript "39". Lightly toned with small edge chips, and slight grubbyness.

 

Captain Joshua Gray writes to his wife in Maine from Matanzas [Cuba]. In part:

 

 "I have arrived at this place after a passage of 20 days… painful task of informing you that on the 24 of Feby Mr. Charles Young was washed over board & one other man while taking in the jib & all possible exertion was instantly made to save them by throwing rope, plank & board, etc over board. The man who was washed off with Mr. Young succeeded in reaching one of the ropes & was saved… Mr. Young was too far off to reach any of them …"

 

An intriguing letter from the period of rogue pirates in Cuba preventing safe commerce. Although the purpose of Captain Gray's station in Cuba was not discussed, the U.S. Navy was sent to suppress piracy off the island of Cuba, and to protect American Commerce (which quite likely was why Captain Gray was in Matanzas Cuba at the time of his letter). However organized gangs of pirates where were allowed to roam free and even protected by the Spanish colonial authorities in Cuba.  Pirates were "so numerous and daring" and so wealthy that the weak and corrupt authorities could easily be bribed to ignore the gang's "frequent and flagrant violations of the laws".   The pirates would leave from the town of Regla to go on their "piratical cruises" and return openly with plundered goods.  They made no attempt to conceal how their goods were acquired, and sold them openly in the city.

 

Given one of the Crew went overboard, his fate would have been sealed -  if he did not drown, or was not attacked by sharks, he would have been left to the pirates. 


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