Thomas Tew
Thomas Tew | |
|---|---|
Thomas Tew relates his exploits to Gov. Fletcher of New York by Howard Pyle | |
| Born | March 1649 Unknown; likely Great Britain or New England |
| Died | 7 September 1695 |
| Piratical career | |
| Nickname | The Rhode Island Pirate |
| Type | Pirate / Privateer |
| Years active | 1692–1695 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Base of operations | Newport, Rhode Island, New York City, and Indian Ocean |
| Commands | Amity |
| Wealth | about £8,000 |
| Later work | see his reputed son Ratsimilaho |
Thomas Tew (died September 1695), also known as the Rhode Island Pirate, was a 17th-century English privateer-turned-pirate. He embarked on two major pirate voyages and met a bloody death on the second, and he pioneered the route which became known as the Pirate Round. Other infamous pirates in his path included Henry Avery and William Kidd.