Pirates

As Britain colonised more overseas territories her share of world trade grew. British merchant ships sailed the global trade routes loaded with the riches of her empire. These vessels were vulnerable to attack from pirates and privateers (state sponsored pirates). Although the Royal Navy had the main role in protecting trade, the Army also played a key part in maintaining the nation’s commercial prosperity.

The South East Corner of Tangier, 1690. NAM 1971-02-33-399

Tangier and the barbary pirates

Tangier (in modern day Morocco) controlled entry into the Mediterranean Sea and was the main commercial centre on the North West coast of Africa. It became a British possession in 1661 via the dowry of King Charles II's new wife Catherine of Braganza.

A view of York Castle at Tangier, c1680. NAM 1971-02-33-398

Charles appointed Henry Mordaunt, 2nd Earl of Peterborough, as Governor of Tangier. Mordaunt raised his own unit to garrison the settlement, the Earl of Peterborough's Regiment of Foot or 'Tangier Regiment'. This later became the 2nd (The Queen's Royal) Regiment. It remained there for the next 23 years.

Moorish raiders

A plan of the Royal City of Tangier, 1680. NAM 1971-02-33-397

The 2nd were joined by other regiments, including the Earl of Plymouth's Regiment, later the 4th (The King's Own) Regiment. Mordaunt's main task was to protect merchant ships from Barbary pirates.

To do this he ordered the construction of a fortfied harbour. He also strengthed the landward fortifications as Tangier was regularly attacked from that direction by Moorish raiders opposed to the British presence.

In 1676 a survey of Tangier, which was costing about £140000 a year to maintain, revealed that the inhabitants numbered 2225, of whom 50 were army officers, 1231 other ranks, with 302 army wives and children. Parliament was concerned about the financial cost of maintaining the Tangier garrison.

Evacuation

William O’Brien, 2nd Earl of Inchiquin and one of the last Governors of Tangier, 1680. NAM 1961-08-28

The King's frequent requests for more troops for the garrison there raised suspicions that a standing army was being retained in Tangier to ensure a Catholic succession and absolute monarchy. In 1680 Parliament told the King that it would only grant supplies if he assented to a Bill of Exclusion to disinherit the Duke of York.

The King refused to sacrifice his brother's right of succession to save Tangier. Preparations therefore began for evacuation. This was completed in 1684. Recognition for Mordaunt's men had to wait until 1909 when the Queen's Royal Regiment was granted the battle honour of 'Tangier 1662-80' which is the oldest in the Army.

Maratha 'pirates'

Robert Clive played a key role in the defeat of the Maratha pirates. NAM 1963-05-12

During the first half of the 18th century the Malabar Coast of western India was a stronghold of the Maratha fleet. The Marathas were often at war with the East India Company and attacked British shiping. They insisted that Company ships pay taxes if sailing through their waters, whilst the Company thought this was piracy.

Their raids continued until the Company and the British government equipped an expedition to destroy the pirate strongholds. The town of Geriah (today Vijaydurg), capital of the pirate Tulagee Angria, was their main base. Admiral Watson and Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Clive burnt the pirate fleet and set fire to the town in February 1756. Clive's reputation was enhanced during this operation. He led three companies of artillery during the assault.

Pirates of the Gulf

The storming of the pirate fortress at Schinaass, Persian Gulf, January 1810. NAM 1971-02-33-501-16

Between 1793 and 1815 Britain was almost constantly at war with France. The ships, sailors and soldiers needed to safeguard trade were in short supply, so the activities of pirates grew. For example, Arabian pirates often attacked merchant shipping in the Persian Gulf. This led the Bombay Presidency to launch an attack on the pirate settlements there in late 1809. As well as Presidency troops, the 47^th and 65^th Regiments played an important role. Two more joint Army-Navy campaigns against Gulf pirates followed in 1819 and 1821.

Privateering

The taking of the Isle of France (Mauritius) December 1810. NAM 1971-02-33-252

During the wars, governments on both sides authorised private ships to attack and capture the vessels of enemy countries. They were licensed pirates. Privateering stopped cargoes of food and supplies reaching enemy ports and armies. While the merchant marine bore the brunt of their attacks, soldiers were sometimes caught up in the action. Mauritius in the Indian Ocean lay on the trade route between India and the Cape of Good Hope. It was captured by British and Indian troops in 1810 to prevent its continued use by French privateers as a base from which to attack ships of the East India Company.

Repelling boarders

This sword was presented to Alexander Brown, a soldier in the East India Company's service, in 1794 for his role in the defence of the East Indiaman Pigot. This ship was attacked by two French Privateers while refitting near Batavia in Indonesia. She held the privateers at bay for about two hours, losing only one man from her crew of 102.

Today, merchant ships of all nations are able to sail along the trade routes of the oceans without major interference, although pirate attacks sometimes occurr in the Malacca Straits and the South China Sea.