| Shark | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Vital statistics | |
| Port | London |
| Owner | Woodes Rogers |
| Captain | Unknown |
| Crew | Many sailors and soldiers |
| Passengers | None |
| Status | Active |
| Type | Tall ship |
| Weapons | 30 cannons |
| Battles | Takeover of Nassau
Battle at the Maroon Island |
| Affiliation | Royal Navy |
| First appearance | XX. |
The HMS Shark was a three masted warship of the Royal Navy and part of Governor Woodes Rogers' fleet to retake Nassau.
History[]
Background[]
The HMS Shark is loaned to Woodes Rogers by the British Navy to aid in his efforts in civilizing Nassau.
Season Three[]
The HMS Shark is first seen when Rogers summons Eleanor Guthrie to the deck of his flagship, the Delicia, and shows her his fleet. He points out the Shark and explains to her that he is responsible for the entire fleet, as it has all been payed for by money loaned to him by various creditors. While impressed, Eleanor asks what the point of the exercise is. Rogers tells her that as soon as he thinks she's outlived her usefulness, she will be sent back to England to be executed. Later, Rogers' fleet docks in Saint Kitts, where Benjamin Hornigold tells Rogers, Eleanor and Chamberlain that Flint is dead.
The fleet approaches Nassau, however they find the mouth of the harbor defended by a fleet of ships assembled in a firing line. Chamberlain does not wish fight them, as it would result in significant damage to the fleet. Chamberlain also refuses to let Rogers endanger himself by going to the beach alone and reading his address. Eleanor solves the problem by having them send Hornigold to read the address to the pirates in Nassau. Hornigold sails past the pirate fleet under a flag of truce and reads Rogers' address, proclaiming a universal pardon, and a bounty on the head of Charles Vane. Hornigold is successful, and the assembled pirates, led by Captain Throckmorton, lay down their arms.
The pirate fleet, under command of Edward Teach, maintains their position blockading the harbor of Nassau. Chamberlain and Rogers are confident that the unrepentant pirates will surrender soon, despite Eleanor's misgivings. The pirates send a fireship, which forces the British line to break to avoid the ship. The fleet fires their cannons on the approaching schooner, but despite their best efforts the fireship is able to collide with the Willing Mind, engulfing it in flames. The pirate fleet is able to escape while the British focus on avoiding the fireship.
After Charles Vane is captured during the raid on Rogers' caravan, he is imprisoned in Fort Nassau. Eleanor Guthrie informs him that the next day at noon, he is to be transported under guard to the bay. There, he will be boarded on to the Shark and taken to London to face a Court of the Admiralty. After Billy Bones stirs up resentment in Nassau with the help of Featherstone and Jacob Garrett, Eleanor decides to hold an accelerated trial for Vane in the middle of the night. The next morning, the crew of the Shark stands down to the angry crowds.
The Shark sails with the rest of the fleet under the command of Chamberlain to the battle at the Maroon Island. Upon arriving, the fleet first peppers the beach with cannonfire before deploying their soldiers in longboats. While the Redcoats under the command of Hornigold and Major Rollins force the pirates to retreat into the jungle, the fleet waits at sea. While Hornigold and Rollins lead their men into the jungle, Chamberlain keeps the fleet in its position. Soon, a fleet approaches and it is revealed to be Teach's pirate fleet, and the two exchange cannonfire. Anne Bonny leads the pirate vanguard, swimming the distance between the two fleets and boarding the Orion, killing the crew and turning her stern chasers on Chamberlain's flagship, the HMS Milford, incapacitating her gun crews. With Teach's ship approaching, meaning to board, Chamberlain orders the fleet to cut their anchor cables and retreat.
Season Four[]
Billy Bones informs Captain Flint that after the British defeat at the Maroon Island, Chamberlain led most of Rogers' ships and soldiers back to England after war breaks out between England and Spain. Among those ships is the Shark.
Quotes[]
"The HMS Shark, 30 guns." - Woodes Rogers to Eleanor Guthrie in XX.
Trivia[]
- The HMS Shark historically, was one of the ships that compromised Woodes Rogers' escort. However, it was a sloop-of-war rather than a three masted warship, carrying 10 guns.