Pirate's Cave (Newport, Rhode Island)

USA / Rhode Island / Newport / Newport, Rhode Island
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Rumored to be a cave used by Captain William Kidd before he turned himself in to authorities in Boston in 1699.

Kidd had been given a commission in 1695, as a privateer, to capture French ships, and to attack known Pirates (Among them the famous Newport, RI privateer turned pirate Thomas Tew). Shortly after setting sail in command of the 'Adventure Galley', he was stopped by the HMS Duchess, whose captain pressed much of Kidd's hand-picked and loyal crew. A replacement crew was sent to Kidd, but most of them were hardened criminals.

This replacement crew would doom Kidd and his commission. The crew's actions and failure to obey Kidd's orders, led to accusations that Kidd had become a Pirate. In the end, Kidd's crew mutinied when Kidd ordered the capture of the pirate crew of the 'Mocha Frigate', and Kidd then decided to return to New England (from Madagascar). Upon returning home, Kidd learned he was wanted as a pirate. It is said he agreed to turn himself in to clear his name, but not before he enriched local Rhode Island friends on Block Island and Jamestown, and most likely Newport. Caves in Newport and Jamestown provided Kidd cover while he avoided authorities. Kidd was hanged in 1701, in London, after the backers of Kidd's commission, seeking to distance themselves from Kidd, worked to prevent Kidd from presenting evidence that would prove his innocence.

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Coordinates:   41°27'25"N   71°21'31"W
This article was last modified 11 years ago