Charles Vane’s Crew was largely composed of Baymen that had formerly been under the command of Albinus, but it nearly doubled after they experienced a wave of new recruits. Vane organized this new crew after the dissolution of the Ranger Crew. They used the same banner as the Ranger Crew, a red dagger, sideways facing skull and heart on a black field.
History[]
Background[]
The Baymen had been a fearsome pirate crew under the command of their captain, Albinus. They successfully sacked the ports of Cartagena and Campeche. However, Albinus chose to walk away from the Account and begin a timber business. His crew became lumberjacks and foremen, and they also utilized slave labor. Charles Vane had been a slave in their service as a child before escaping the island they used as their base and began his career as a pirate[1].
Season One[]
After all but ten men abandoned him on Eleanor Guthrie’s orders, taking their ship with them, Vane fell into a depression and began seeing visions of Albinus. He then took a skiff to Albinus’ Island[2].
Vane and Albinus discussed a partnership. Vane argued that Nassau was extremely vulnerable, and with a dozen men he could gain control of it and Albinus would gain a cut of the profits. Vane offers that every man under his command gets a share, with an additional share to Albinus for every six men given to him. Albinus agrees after raising the price to a share for every three men. Albinus then realizes that Vane was a former slave of his, seeing the brand on his chest. Albinus praises Vane for his courage, saying he knows it must have been difficult for Vane to return. Albinus then walks away from Vane and his 12 men. Vane then makes a speech, saying Albinus took them away from the sea because it suits his weakness, but that if they follow Vane, they could become proper pirates again and go to Nassau where they can lead lives of pleasure, not labor. Vane and Albinus then begin to fistfight, with Vane initially having the upper hand. However, Albinus turns the tables on him and knocks him out. Vane is then buried in a shallow grave. That night, he digs himself out and kills Albinus with a wooden stake, taking control of the crew, numbering about 40 men[1].
The crew sails back to Nassau, and they surprise Benjamin Hornigold’s garrison in Fort Nassau, slaughtering them all. They then begin firing the cannons at Hornigold’s ship, the Royal Lion. Hornigold, Eleanor and their allies scramble to get to safety and begin trying figure out who took control of the fort and how to retake it. Vane and a small escort then walk into town, and he demands a private audience with Eleanor. When alone in her office with her, he threatens to sink every ship in the bay, even Flint's if he returns with the Urca de Lima gold, if they try to attack him. He also demands that he takes Hornigold's seat on the Consortium. After weighing her options, Eleanor agrees, and tells Vane about the tunnels Hornigold would use to attack the fort. Vane and his men then formally become the garrison of Fort Nassau[3].
Season Two[]
Vane and his men continue to garrison the fort, but he neglects his duties as a member of the Consortium, namely showing up to the meetings and providing security. Eleanor goes to the fort to chastise Vane for this, but Vane shrugs it off and says that Eleanor needs stronger partners[4].
Vane shows up to the next meeting where they hear about Captain Geoffrey Lawrence's disappointing voyage. Due to the low regard the Guthrie name is now held in, he got far less for his cargo than he should have. Lawrence reveals that he had to threaten the customs officer that there would be reprisals against him personally if he didn't allow him to leave. Vane then makes Lawrence reveal that he used Vane's name to threaten the man. After the meeting concludes, Vane warns Eleanor that her venture is on shaky footing, and if the street turns against her again he won't be able to protect her as his men will see no reason to help "a tyrant too weak to enforce her own tyranny." They are then interrupted by screams from below, and go downstairs to find Ned Low beheading his quartermaster. Eleanor orders him to leave Nassau, and Low kills O'Malley when he tries to escort Low out of the building[5].
Low later approaches Vane at the fort and meets with him and Jenks. Low requests that Vane does not involve himself in the escalating feud between him and Eleanor Guthrie, having heard of their past together. Jenks remarks that he can't imagine a scenario where they would want to interfere in her affairs. Vane agrees, but warns Low that he might make new enemies by taking out the head of commerce in Nassau. Low answers that he's heard that the street is not very confident in Eleanor's Consortium. He then gives Vane a tribute of ten percent of his crew's last profits. Later that night, Vane rows to the Fancy while it lies at anchor in the bay. Vane then meets with Low while he is eating dinner in his cabin. Vane tries to offer a partnership between his crew and Low's. Low immediately rejects the idea but gives Vane permission to elaborate on the deal. He explains that his place is at sea, and he has no desire to rot away in Fort Nassau. Vane says he was deprived of his ship, and is therefore in need of one. He says that if she were to come with a strong crew, that would be all the more better. Low stops Vane and says it is painfully obvious that Vane has feelings for Eleanor. He says if Vane were able to bring his men to bear to protect her, he would reconsider his feud with her. However, Low believes that Vane's men find his feelings pathetic. The fact that Vane has come alone simply confirms all of Low's suspicions.
Vane asks to say the terms of the deal and Low allows him to continue. Vane says that he gets Low's ship, his cargo and his weapons. As he says this, Vane's men sneak aboard the Fancy and slaughter Low's men. Low asks what he gets in return and Vane replies "a head start." Low calls for Mr. Holmes but Vane replies that "Mr. Holmes doesn't work here anymore." Vane and Low begin to fight, and despite getting stabbed in the arm, Vane is able to kill Low. He then cuts off his head and stakes it in the beach, below which he posts a sign that reads "I angered Charles Vane." Eleanor goes to the fort that night and has sex with Vane. Afterwards, he shows her the cargo that Low was keeping: Abigail Ashe, the daughter of the Lord Governor of Carolina, Peter Ashe[6].
The next morning, the crew awakes to find a Spanish Man O' War anchored outside their field of fire, with Flint declaring that he will attack the fort and kill them all unless they surrender and leave the fort. Eleanor tries to dissuade both sides from violence, remembering that the last time the fort was compromised Spanish forces invaded, laying waste to the town and killing her mother. Vane publicly issues a response to Flint's ultimatum: "You must ask yourselves who represents the greater threat to your interests my men in this fort or the madman on the water." Eleanor pays four criers to relay Vane's message. This leads to an influx of men joining Vane, bringing his numbers up to between 55 and 75. Vane also gives orders for a ransom note that he had Abigail write sent on its way before the bombardment begins[7].
At sunrise, Flint gives the order for his men to open fire. They hammer the fort walls with their cannons while Nassau's citizens take shelter in various buildings. Eventually, a sizable breach is made, and Flint gives the call to cease fire. He and his men then go ashore to prepare for their final assault. Meanwhile, Vane and his men ride out the bombardment in the vaults below the fort. Jenks brings the news that 7 of their men were killed and another 9 injured. Vane then leaves to assassinate Flint in order to cause the alliance between his and Hornigold's crews to fall apart[8].
Vane confronts Flint in the tavern and the two fight until Eleanor interrupts them. The captains and Eleanor then sit down for a parley with Richard Guthrie and Miranda Barlow. Flint explains how he, Miranda, her husband, and Lord Peter argued to offer the pirates a Royal Pardon a decade ago. Now, Flint thinks that if they return Abigail to Peter without terms or conditions, they can convince him to argue for it yet again. Flint says it is of paramount importance that they do all this quickly, for the British Empire is seeking to reclaim the island, and once they put their mind to it, the resources they can commit towards that end are inexhaustible. Vane says he'll let Abigail go in exchange for the Spanish Man O' War, a proposal that Flint refuses and Eleanor balks at. Vane then leaves, and Eleanor chases after him and tries to convince him, but he repeats that there is no threat, and if there is they will stand and fight it. He then returns to the fort. That night, Eleanor seduces Vane, and while he is sleeping she absconds with his keys[9]. She frees Abigail and they escape through the tunnels. Before they leave, Vane confronts them. He begs Eleanor not to leave, but she refuses to listen and locks the door behind her, knowing that it will likely lead to Vane's death at the hands of his men. Vane then has his men ambush Richard Guthrie in the interior as he travels back to the Underhill Estate[10]
The fort remains on lockdown for some days after this. Eleanor anxiously awaits word of what has transpired, and Frasier tells her that they're either planning a reprisal or they are still choosing a new captain. Later, Jack Rackham and Augustus Featherstone go to the fort in order to ask the crew if they can use the vaults below the fort to store the Urca de Lima gold. However, they notice something is amiss, and they take note of the several crows circling overhead. They return with their crew and find Richard Guthrie's crucified corpse with a note addressed to Eleanor pinned to it. The note, written by Vane, promises vengeance upon Eleanor for her betrayal, and explains that he killed Richard in order to prevent the return of the British Empire to Nassau. It also reveals that Vane and his men followed Flint to Charles Town, having used small boats instead of the Fancy, with the intent to take the Spanish Man O' War for them selves[11].
At night, Vane and his men make their assault. They climb over the sides of the ship, ambushing the Walrus Crew. Billy Bones leads his men in fighting back, but they are overwhelmed and the surviving 50 are captured. As they prepare to set sail, John Silver and Vincent cut the forestay belowdecks, causing the foremast to become too unstable to sail. Vane goes below to root them out but they are able to capture him at knifepoint. Before anything more can happen, they are interrupted by the Boat Captain from the Charles Town Militia arriving. He announces that Captain Flint has been captured and will be put on trial. The pirates have until the conclusion of the trial to leave the city, or they will be killed or captured. Vane then subdues both Silver and Vincent, and they are shackled along with the rest of the crew. However, Vane resolves to remain behind and rescue Flint, reasoning that Nassau cannot afford to have a statement made out of one of her most feared captains[12].
Jenks argues with Vane about the recklessness of the plan but Vane remains adamant about pursuing it. Jenks argues that they came to get the ship and they've got it so they should leave, and Vane repeats his explanation about how the statement is one Nassau can't afford. Vane then asks what the men think about his plan. Jenks answers that Vane is taking the men who think the rescue is a good idea with him and leaving the ones who don't with him. Jenks asks Vane what he expects him to say when they argue that they should just leave Vane ashore rather than participate in a battle whose outcome is uncertain. Vane answers that he should tell him it's in their best interests, and Jenks counters by saying they'll just laugh at this. Vane instructs Jenks to tell the crew that if they try to sail the ship with a skeleton crew, they are going to be chased, caught and killed. After Vane departs, Yardley asks Jenks what their chances are if they run. Jenks says shorthanded against two ships he'd say they're even, but against three trained hunters, they're at least a dozen men short of even a prayer of success. After he leaves, a sick prisoner approaches Yardley.
Jenks sends Yardley and the Bayman Lieutenant to retrieve Silver, which they do after a brief scuffle with their prisoners. Inside the great cabin, Jenks explains to Silver that the battle ahead promises very little reward for his crew, but great risk, and he can't just leave due to a shortage of manpower. However, Vincent says that Silver can offer up names of their crew members who would be willing to defect and help them escape instead of launching a counterattack once freed. Vincent then tells Silver he told Jenks that they don't have any real connection to the crew, and they'll get safe passage back to Nassau if they help. Silver realizes that if he does this, the rest of the crew will be killed and refuses. Jenks then shoots Vincent and orders Silver to give him the names while they can still escape. He then has his men restrain Silver on top of a table, and begins smashing Silver's leg with the backside of an axe.
Meanwhile, Vane turns himself over to the militia, while his men kill the sentries on The Battery, taking over large portions of it. As the trial goes on, Vane stands up and announces that he wishes to speak on behalf of the defendant. Kensington orders him to sit down, but Vane continues speaking. He says that men like Kensington have convinced the people of Charles Town that they speak for them, that the power they are given is used in their interests, that the prisoner before them is their enemy. Vane says that for the people who live to see tomorrow, they should know that they had a chance to see the truth but let themselves be convinced otherwise. Throughout the speech, Kensington futilely attempts to shout Vane down. He tries to order Vane removed from the dais. but Vane raises his arms, giving the signal for his men on the Battery’s walls to open fire on the square.
As chaos ensues, Flint kills Governor Ashe and he and Vane grab weapons and run towards the jetty, while the men on the walls continue firing the cannons into the city and at the patrol ships in the harbor. As the ships try to flee, Larson enters the cabin and warns Jenks that the fleet is scrambling and Jenks orders that they weigh the anchor, preferring to take a chance fleeing rather than fighting the ships. As Jenks prepares to cut Silver's throat, a knock is heard at the door and Jenks angrily shouts that he gave an order. The doors then burst open and the captured Walrus crew throws several flash grenades in before rushing in, overwhelming Jenks' men and killing them all. The surviving men on the ship are imprisoned by the Walrus pirates, who proceed to sink the Charles Town Fleet.
Eventually, Vane's men on the walls decide to flee before the militia can corner them, and they too are imprisoned upon return to the ship. When Vane and Flint make it to the jetty, they flee in a rowboat, but Colonel Rhett is not far behind. He and his men try to fire a cannon at Flint and Vane, but they are killed by cannon fire from the Man O' War before they can. Once aboard, Flint orders that Vane's men be freed, and Vane promises to keep them in line. Flint then orders the gun crews to level the city[13].
Season Three[]
Vane and his men now sail a schooner. While trying to repair the fort, Jack Rackham asks Vane to capture a ship carrying lumber and other important supplies to aid in its rebuilding. Vane sails after them, with Featherstone as quartermaster. They find the ship, but it is revealed to be a Dutch Slaver, and the Slaver Captain tries throwing the slaves overboard in order to avoid a boarding. However, Vane leaves his ship's longboats behind to pick up the slaves, and sails after the Slaver. A swift battle ensues, and the Dutch crew is slaughtered and Vane has the Captain executed by throwing him overboard chained to cannonballs. The crew returns to Nassau, with Vane furious over having been sent to chase a slave ship, given his past as a slave. Jack is able to placate him by promising to treat the slaves well[14]. Vane works with the slaves as they try to rebuild the fort, with his men standing guard. However, Scott asks him to stop, saying it will confuse the power dynamics necessary to running the operation[15].
Governor Woodes Rogers arrives in Nassau with a fleet of eight ships, only to find the Pirate Fleet defending the bay, with a militia assembled on the beach. Vane and Jack command the Colonial Dawn Crew in manning the fort, while Vane's men are stationed with the fleet. Rogers sends Captain Benjamin Hornigold ashore to read his address under a flag of truce. Hornigold promises that every man who surrenders will receive a full pardon, and the killer or captor of Vane will receive a bounty of 10,000 pounds. The pirates on the beach then surrender en masse[16].
The men on the fleet under Edward Teach's command hold out, as do Vane and Jack's men in the fort, which is visited by bounty seekers, upon whom the gates are barred. However, Jack's men vote to expel Vane to prevent being besieged, and in the hope that it would put them in the good graces of the Governor. To engineer an escape, Jack blows up the powder magazine, destroying the fort yet again and allowing him and Anne to escape with their treasure while Vane makes a run for the jetty. He is cornered by bounty seekers, but is rescued by Teach and the two return to the fleet, and work on an escape plan. That night, Vane and his men sail their schooner directly at the British line, flying a white flag. When they draw close, Vane gives the signal and his men set the ship on fire and then jump overboard into a waiting longboat. Vane remains behind for a moment to steer the ship before joining his men, who then go back to Blackbeard's ship. Rogers and his men fire on the schooner, but are unable to slow or sink it before it collides with the Willing Mind, setting it ablaze. After this, Vane and his men become part of Teach's crew aboard his ship[17].
Season Four[]
Vane's former crew continue to serve under Teach, and they are killed or captured during the Boarding of the Lion. After the prisoners free themselves in an uprising, the remainder become part of Jack Rackham's Crew[18].
Members[]
- Captain Charles Vane
- Quartermaster Augustus Featherstone
- Quartermaster Jenks
- Larson
- Yardley
- Bayman Lieutenant
Quotes[]
"Charles Vane corralled 40 of the hardest men in the New World, brought them in line, brought them across an ocean to this fort and conquered it with no support from the water, no siege engineering, just the will to take it..."
- Jack Rackham to Augustus Featherstone in XVI.