Yes, another tale of a rogue who ran away rather than face responsibility. In Garpar's case it is a whopper of a story. While on board ship, the officers discovered Gaspar could read and write. Well, that put him in a midshipman's position for the distinction between officers and the low class sailors. Heaven forbid if a member of the aristocrat was found working among the people. That would not do, even on board a naval ship. Gaspar found himself with the officers who promoted him to the rank of lieutenant rather quickly. Then he has even more luck. King Charles III requested a liaison from the navy. Guess who was picked? Jose Gaspar!
He was in his element! Attached to the king and a part of court, Gaspar began his old way of life again. A lover of the ladies, he found himself short of money again. Alas, he needed funds to keep his style of life and found that having sticky fingers could help him secure the gold he required. Unfortunately, he played with too many women and put his fingers in places they shouldn't have been in the Spanish crown jewels. Now some say he was framed and others say he did it, but neither matters for upon hearing of his impending arrest, he raced to the port and absconded with the ship, Floridablanca making good his escape.
Gaspar swore an oath to avenge his treatment by the Spanish! He took on a new name, Gasparilla and became the fierce pirate who ravaged the west coast of Florida. For the next 38 years his ship roamed the waters off of Florida and Cuba looking for prey. He did not limit himself to exacting revenge on the Spanish. No! Gasparilla attacked with a ferocity on any defenseless ships. He fired upon all and killed all including passengers and crew with two exceptions. If the men would join his crew they would live and if any beautiful women were on board, the too lived. The women were taken to an island on the west coast of Florida where they were made available to him and his men. Such a delightful man! The name of this island (and yes, it is a real place) is Captiva Island.
Ahh, Gasperilla a terror of the Gulf of Mexico! At times he would join with Jean Laffite and pillage larger convoys. He was a pirate whose scruples were not to be tested for he would kill his foes in many ways including the age old, walking of the plank. Finally, in 1821 Gasparilla decided to retire and enjoy his old age in wealth and grandeur. After all, Florida was now a part of the United States and Spain had fallen in power. So, he and his crew set about dividing their loot which had been placed in many places along the western coast of Florida. Suddenly, in the distant horizon an English merchant ship was sighted! One last ship! One last time! Gasparilla and his crew set off after this paragon of riches and wealth.
Gasparilla ordered for the ship to fired upon and boarded. As the men readied themselveWorks for this, the merchant ship did something unforeseen. It lowered the British flag and ran up the flag of the United States! At the same time cannons were uncovered and brought to bear upon the Floridablanca and Gasparilla. Now, I am not making this up. I know I'm a Star Trek fan, but this is the truth. The USS Enterprise fired upon the pirate ship laying it to waste. It was a masterful battle and the USS Enterprise defeated the pirates and Gasparilla. The old pirate took a shot to his groin (in one account) and then put a muzzle to his mouth killing himself. In another tale, Gasparilla ties the chain of the anchor around him, yells: "Gasparilla dies by his own hand, not the enemy's" and jumps overboard with cutlass in hand. Other way, he winds up dead and so do all of his men. Too much greed. Too much avarice. Way to go USS Enterprise!
So long to Garparilla! Legend, pirate, tale. He didn't fall away into indifference. Instead, he was revived and is now celebrated in Tampa, Florida every January. It is a celebration and romancing of pirates and Gaspar. An enjoyable time of carousing and fun to be had by all. Just one sad thing...as this pirate is celebrated and has been recreated as a hero and romantic, I can not help but think of all the people he killed. According to some, Gasparrila sunk and captured as many as 400 ships. No, he wasn't a hero, he was a criminal whom we should actually be repulsed and disgusted by. However, history is fickle and those who were deemed criminals can be found to be revered in a different time period.
Enjoy the Gasparilla Festival, but please remember, this man was evil and a murderer who held to no compassion. A pirate of ill-respect and a coward as well. Thanks for reading and another pirate may be coming soon!
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