Mansel Alcantra
Encyclopedia
Mansel Alcantra or Alcantara (fl.
1829) was a Spanish pirate active in the South Atlantic during the early 19th century. As well as committing acts of piracy, he was also responsible for several incidents of mass murder
. The most infamous of these acts occurred in 1829 when his brig
, the Macrinarian, captured the Liverpool
packet ship
Topaz near St. Helena while en route from Calcutta to Boston
. After he and his men had finished looting the ship, Alcantara had the entire crew murdered.
That same year, he seized and plundered the American ship, the Candace from Marblehead
. The ship's supercargo
, allegedly an amateur actor
, disguised himself as a Roman Catholic priest
by dressing himself in a black gown and broad rimmed hat. He waited in his cabin pretending to "tell his beads" and, when the pirates finally entered his cabin, they respectfully crossed themselves
and left the room. The young man was the only one of the crew and passengers not robbed by the pirates.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
1829) was a Spanish pirate active in the South Atlantic during the early 19th century. As well as committing acts of piracy, he was also responsible for several incidents of mass murder
Mass murder
Mass murder is the act of murdering a large number of people , typically at the same time or over a relatively short period of time. According to the FBI, mass murder is defined as four or more murders occurring during a particular event with no cooling-off period between the murders...
. The most infamous of these acts occurred in 1829 when his brig
Brig
A brig is a sailing vessel with two square-rigged masts. During the Age of Sail, brigs were seen as fast and manoeuvrable and were used as both naval warships and merchant vessels. They were especially popular in the 18th and early 19th centuries...
, the Macrinarian, captured the Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
packet ship
Packet ship
A "packet ship" was originally a vessel employed to carry post office mail packets to and from British embassies, colonies and outposts. In sea transport, a packet service is a regular, scheduled service, carrying freight and passengers...
Topaz near St. Helena while en route from Calcutta to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. After he and his men had finished looting the ship, Alcantara had the entire crew murdered.
That same year, he seized and plundered the American ship, the Candace from Marblehead
Marblehead
-Places:United States*Marblehead, Illinois*Marblehead, Massachusetts*Marblehead, Ohio*Marblehead, Wisconsin-Other uses:*Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race, a biannual sailing race on the North Atlantic...
. The ship's supercargo
Supercargo
Supercargo is a term in maritime law that refers to a person employed on board a vessel by the owner of cargo carried on the ship...
, allegedly an amateur actor
Amateur theatre
Amateur theatre is theatre performed by amateur actors. These actors are not typically members of Actors' Equity groups or Actors' Unions as these organizations exist to protect the professional industry and therefore discourage their members from appearing with companies which are not a signatory...
, disguised himself as a Roman Catholic priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
by dressing himself in a black gown and broad rimmed hat. He waited in his cabin pretending to "tell his beads" and, when the pirates finally entered his cabin, they respectfully crossed themselves
Trinity
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity defines God as three divine persons : the Father, the Son , and the Holy Spirit. The three persons are distinct yet coexist in unity, and are co-equal, co-eternal and consubstantial . Put another way, the three persons of the Trinity are of one being...
and left the room. The young man was the only one of the crew and passengers not robbed by the pirates.