The Forgotten Pirates of the Great Lakes
The tales of pirates usually evoke images of the Caribbean, with sun-drenched seas and tropical backdrops. However, the pirate saga stretches far beyond these stereotypical haunts. In the unexpected and fresh waters of the Great Lakes, a unique breed of pirates made their mark in history, navigating through the sprawling expanse of water that touches Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario, and Superior.
The Birth of Piracy on the Great Lakes
Piracy on the Great Lakes began in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The region was then a crucial part of the fur trade route, where European powers and Native American tribes engaged in both trade and conflict. As the valuable pelts traveled across the waters, they inevitably attracted the attention of opportunistic marauders.
Dan Seavey: The Pirate of Lake Michigan
One of the most notorious figures to emerge from this era was Dan Seavey, a sailor who turned to piracy in the early 1900s. Seavey's criminal activities were broad, ranging from bootlegging to hijacking ships like the schooner "Nellie Johnson" which he famously commandeered with the simple tactic of getting its crew drunk. His notoriety peaked when he engaged in the illegal transport of stolen timber and operated a floating brothel. The “Roaring” Dan Seavey’s reign on Lake Michigan came to an end when he was arrested by the U.S. Marshals, marking one of the few pirate prosecutions in the area.
The Legend of Edward “King of the Pirates” Low
Another figure often wrapped in the myths of the Great Lakes is Edward Low, a notorious Atlantic Ocean pirate who reportedly ventured into Lake Ontario in the 1720s. Stories suggest that Low and his crew hid out near the Thousand Islands, a natural maze, perfect for concealing pirated goods and evading capture. However, the veracity of Low's adventures on these inland waters remains a matter of folklore, intertwined with the tales of other maritime criminals of his time.
The Vessel "Le Griffon" and Its Mysterious Disappearance
Adding to the region's pirate lore is the tale of "Le Griffon," built by the explorer La Salle and often considered the first ship to sail the Upper Great Lakes. The "Le Griffon" vanished on its maiden voyage in 1679 loaded with furs, and legends hint at mutiny and piracy, although its true fate remains one of the Great Lakes' most enduring mysteries.
Modern Piracy: The 20th Century Smugglers
While traditional piracy declined after the 19th century, the Great Lakes saw a resurgence of a different kind of piracy during Prohibition in the 1920s. Smugglers, often referred to as “rum-runners,” illegally transported alcohol across the water borders. One infamous character, Joe Soper, known as the "Pirate of Port Dalhousie," was a key figure in running booze from Canada across Lake Ontario to New York State, leveraging the shadowy cover of night to evade the Coast Guard.
Today, the tales of Great Lakes pirates are not widely known, overshadowed by their saltwater counterparts. Yet, their stories are deeply woven into the maritime history of North America. These freshwater pirates, though not as romanticized as those in the Caribbean, highlight a rugged chapter of the American frontier, marked by rebellion, ingenuity, and the relentless pursuit of wealth and freedom.
Through exploring these murky waters and their tales, we gain a deeper understanding of the diverse history of piracy, which is not confined to oceanic depths but also thrives in the most unexpected places.
