Captain William Kidd (c. 1645-1701) was a Scottish privateer turned pirate who, despite only ever capturing one significant prize ship, has become legendary thanks to the persistent rumour he buried a fantastic treasure that nobody has yet found. Kidd was arrested, sent to England, and hanged in Wapping Old Stairs in 1701.
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 1645 - 1701Life of the Scottish privateer turned pirate Captain Kidd.
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1689Captain Kidd engages in privateering against French vessels in the Caribbean.
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Feb 1690Captain Kidd's crew steal his ship the Blessed William in the Caribbean.
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May 1691Captain Kidd settles in New York, marries and has two daughters.
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1695In London, Captain Kidd gathers a consortium of anonymous backers to fund a privateering expedition in the Indian Ocean.
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1697 - 1698Captain Kidd commits several acts of piracy in the Indian Ocean.
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30 Oct 1697Captain Kidd kills one of his gunners, William Moore.
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30 Jan 1698Captain Kidd attacks and captures the merchant ship Quedah Merchant off the coast of India near Cochin.
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Jul 1699Captain Kidd is arrested for piracy in Boston.
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Apr 1700Captain Kidd is sent from Boston to London for trial for piracy.
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Mar 1701Captain Kidd is twice called to testify before Parliament regarding his privateering and piracy in the Indian Ocean.
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23 May 1701The pirate Captain Kidd is hanged at Wapping Old Stairs, London and his body is left to rot in public veiw by the River Thames.
