Ned Lowe’s fleet

This flag is believed to have been flown by Ned Lowe and his consorts, Charles Harris of the 8-gun sloop the Ranger and Francis Spriggs, Lowe’s ex-quartermaster, of the schooner the Delight. Charles Harris was captured by Peter Solgard of HMS Greyhound in June 1723. Spriggs fate is uncertain, but some believe he was marooned together with Ned Lowe. “Black Ensign with a white Skeleton in the middle of it, with a Dart in One Hand striking a bleeding Heart, and in the other an Hourglass.” – Captain Johnson, A General History of the Pyrates.

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Ned Lowe

One of the most blood-thirsty pirates active in the Caribbean, in the Azores, and along the coast of North America. He was active between 1721 and 1724, his fate being disputed by historians. The above flag was used by the notorious Edward Lowe from July 1723 during the time he called himself admiral and is taken from a description by Charles Johnson in A General History of the Pyrates – “… and hoists a black Flag, with the Figure of Death in red, at the Main-topmast Head …”

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