William Dampier
Pirates in Panama History
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William Dampier was an Englishmen and was considered one of
the most intelligent buccaneer, (in addition to being a navigator, he
was also a hydrographer) who
tormented the Spanish in the South Seas from 1680 to 1720. Dampier
and Lionel Wafer crossed the Isthmus of Panama in 1680, capturing a
Spanish ship, they proceeded to raid the Spanish settlements on the coast of South America.
After splitting up with Wafer, he crossed the Pacific where he were he
continued to harass the Spanish the East Indies. During his lifetime as
a privateer, he circumnavigating of
the world three times. Dampier was one of those few, educated buccaneers which wrote some very important books of their time. He published "A New Voyage Around the World" in 1697, the subtitle best illustrates its content: "...Describing the world, describing particularly, the Isthmus of America, several coasts and islands in the West Indies...The South Sea coasts of Chili, Peru, and Mexico.". In 1699 he published another book, "Voyage to New Holland" (Australia). This one described his exploration of Australia and the surrounding Islands. |
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Bruce C. Ruiz
August 22, 2002