John Clipperton used Clipperton Island in the eastern Pacific Ocean as a base for his raids.
14 Facts About John Clipperton
1.
2.
John Clipperton was born in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, in about 1676 into a family of seafarers.
3.
John Clipperton was an able pilot and seaman, but a man of faults.
4.
John Clipperton was definitely no gentleman; but at times tried to be seen as one.
5.
John Clipperton led a mutiny against Dampier, and was later taken captive by the Spanish.
6.
John Clipperton returned home in 1712 after four years of captivity.
7.
In 1714, John Clipperton attacked the Manila Galleon while the crew was resting at Cabo San Lucas at the foot of the Baja California peninsula.
8.
John Clipperton sailed right around South America, raiding Spanish shipping about the coasts of Peru at the so-called "Southern Seas", where he was chased by Spanish admiral Blas de Lezo during the latter's first safety operations in the area.
9.
John Clipperton captured his old enemy the Marquis de Villa-Rocha, whom he treated with much respect.
10.
John Clipperton decided to seek provisions at Guam and anchored off Merizo.
11.
Matters escalated when John Clipperton proposed that the governor ransom the Marquis de Villa-Rocha, who was still aboard.
12.
The Marquis and two of the Success's crew went ashore, but John Clipperton grew increasingly aggravated when the promised ransom and his crewmen were not returned.
13.
John Clipperton sent a message ashore threatening to "demolish all the houses on shore, burn the ship in the harbour, and do all the mischief he could at the Philippine Islands" if his demands were not met, according to Shelvocke's journal.
14.
John Clipperton then traveled to Macau, where he stayed as his health deteriorated.