Shift #39 - Weekly Check-in and Research
Saturday, June 29, 2024 | 7-11:45 am CST/8 am-12:45 pm EST (4 hrs 45 min)
Details
Michelle Hurt, student/intern
Jennifer Gonzalez, practicum supervisor
This is a screenshot of a book from the piracy trials collection within the Law Library of Congress. This particular book is a compilation of various criminals and accounts of their wrongdoings.
This morning, I worked on my weekly check-in email to Jennifer as well as a lot of research for my blog post project. For the email, I had to let Jennifer know that I completed three things (which I did): that I connected with her on LinkedIn, that I connected with the Law Library internship alumni group, and that I joined the Library of Congress alumni listserv. I also sent my blog post outline to my small group mentor and submit my June hours (49 total). As of today, I have done 63 hours for my 120-hour practicum. It's so crazy to think I'm halfway done! After sending my email, I focused on continued research for my blog post. I identified 3-4 different books to look through and for this book "Martin's Annals of Crime" I focused on a convicted pirate named John Gow. I didn't finish reading his section during this particular shift, but below is what I learned about him.
Gow excelled as a student of the sea and received a commission as a younger man – he became the second mate of the George Galley, which traveled to Santa Cruz. Before the ship returned home, the crew purchased supplies from local merchants. These men delivered the provisions on board and spoke with the captain for some time, as was customary in those days. While this happened, several of the crewmen lied and complained that they had been badly treated, especially not receiving their share of the supplies. The captain addressed the matter and told the men their complaint would be resolved. The ship left to go on its journey back to Scotland and as it traveled, the captain suspected more than complaints were at hand. He spoke with his first mate about his suspicions and got some weapons ready. His suspicions were overheard by some of the crew who complained and they began their plans to take over the ship. They attacked the officers in the evening, when half the crew were at evening prayers and half were on duty or in their cabin. Immediately the surgeon, chief mate and supercargo (a representative of the ship's owner) were killed.
The captain heard the commotion but he too was quickly killed, his throat cut, then stabbed in the back before being finished off by Gow with a musket. Gow was selected as the new commander of the ship and gave instructions to everyone on board, even those who were not party to the attacks. On that first day that Gow was in control, the pirates celebrated by drinking and splitting up the ship's valuables. Those who were not part of the attack were instructed to be on duty. There were 8 crewmen who had conspired the plan of piracy - four men who were killed including the captain, four men who readily joined the new pirates - and 8 men who did not agree with the plans. The latter group didn't speak of their agreement so they were placed under suspicion, as some of them did what Gow asked reluctantly and not assuredly.
The group headed for Spain and Portugal with a plan of taking a ship to re-supply their diminished stock of wine. Instead, they found a British vessel that didn't have what they wanted. so they killed five men, captured the rest of the crew and sunk the ship. One new man named Williams was someone who was very harsh and cruel, so he was welcomed by Gow and his crew, especially as there were still men on the ship (now renamed the Revenge) who were only obeying orders out of fear than agreement. They continued on, attacking another ship and made their way with the purpose of getting food and water, which was very low. They eventually made it to Port Santa in Portugal to find supplies. Gow sent a few men on a small boat to present some gifts to the governor of Port Santa and he along with a few of his officers came on board the Revenge to speak with Gow and the crew as a sort of welcome. Gow's men who had gone ashore had not returned so he threated the governor with death unless they were given supplies. Gow got what he had demanded and released the governor and his offers.
I will finish my research on Gow another time! This account was very exciting to read.
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