Dec 06 2024 9 mins
Edward Low, also known as Ned Low. Born around 1690 in Westminster, London, Low's life would take him from the poverty-stricken streets of England to become one of the most feared pirates in the Atlantic Ocean. Edward Low's early life was marked by poverty and crime. From a young age, he was known as a thief, developing a reputation for violence and ruthlessness that would follow him throughout his life. As a young man, Low made his way to Boston, Massachusetts, seeking new opportunities in the New World. There, he married and had two children, but tragedy struck when his son died as an infant and his wife passed away while giving birth to their daughter, Elizabeth. Low's transition from petty criminal to infamous pirate began in 1722 when he was working as a rigger on a ship. One fateful day, Low found himself hungry and asked the captain for permission to eat. The captain, in a hurry to complete the ship's lading, refused and offered Low and his men only a bottle of rum. This seemingly minor incident would prove to be the catalyst for Low's piratical career. Enraged by the captain's dismissal, Low took up a loaded musket and fired at him. In a twist of fate that would set the tone for his future brutality, Low missed the captain but shot another crew member through the throat, killing him instantly. Realizing the gravity of his actions, Low and twelve of his companions commandeered a small boat and set off to sea, effectively beginning their lives as pirates. The very next day, Low and his small crew captured their first vessel, a small sloop off the coast of Rhode Island. With this capture, they declared war against the world, raising a black flag and fully embracing the pirate's life. This rapid transition from sailor to pirate captain was not uncommon during the Golden Age of Piracy, as many sailors, frustrated with the harsh conditions and low pay of merchant and naval vessels, saw piracy as a path to freedom and fortune. Low's early career as a pirate was marked by a series of successful raids along the shipping routes between Boston and New York. His tactics were simple but effective - he would use false colors to approach unsuspecting vessels, then reveal his true intentions once close enough to strike. This method of deception was a common tactic among pirates of the era, allowing them to get close to their prey before the victims realized the danger they were in. As Low's reputation grew, so did his fleet and crew. He generally maintained a small fleet of about three or four ships, allowing him to be more maneuverable and less conspicuous than larger pirate armadas. This strategy proved highly effective, as Low managed to capture over 100 ships during his brief but intense three-year career as a pirate. One of Low's most notable early exploits occurred in the harbor of Port Roseway (now Shelburne, Nova Scotia), where he successfully captured 13 fishing vessels. This raid demonstrated Low's growing confidence and skill as a pirate captain. After the fishermen surrendered, recognizing Low's reputation for brutality, the pirates plundered the vessels and took the largest 80-ton schooner as their new flagship, naming it "The Fancy." Low's career took a significant turn when he encountered the established pirate George Lowther. Lowther, impressed by Low's growing reputation, offered him a position as his lieutenant aboard the 100-ton sloop "Happy Delivery." This partnership allowed Low to learn from a more experienced pirate and further hone his skills. After several successful raids together, Lowther rewarded Low with command of a captured 6-gun brigantine named "Rebecca," marking Low's full ascension to the rank of pirate captain. As Low's power and notoriety grew, so did his reputation for extreme cruelty. He became known for violently torturing his victims before killing them, employing methods so gruesome that they shocked even his fellow pirates. One particularly horrific account tells of Low cutting off a victim's lips, boiling them, and then forcing the victim to eat them. These acts of savagery earned Low a fearsome reputation, with many ships surrendering immediately upon recognizing his flag rather than risk facing his wrath. Low's tactics evolved as his career progressed. He became adept at using the geography of the Caribbean and Atlantic to his advantage, often lying in wait in popular shipping lanes or using small islands as bases from which to launch surprise attacks. He also employed psychological warfare, using his reputation for brutality to intimidate his victims into quick surrender. One of Low's most famous engagements occurred in late 1723 when he encountered HMS Greyhound, a heavily armed warship sent specifically to hunt him down. The battle was fierce, with Low's crew fighting desperately against the superior firepower of the naval vessel. Despite his reputation for ferocity, Low chose to retreat in this instance, escaping with a small crew and the majority of his wealth aboard "The Fancy." This defeat marked a turning point in Low's career, as it demonstrated that even the most notorious pirates could be challenged by determined naval forces. The aftermath of the Greyhound encounter saw Low at his most brutal. Enraged by the loss of much of his crew, who were captured and later hanged, Low unleashed a reign of terror on the shipping lanes. He captured a whaling ship far out at sea and subjected its crew to horrific tortures, eventually stripping the ship of all supplies and leaving the surviving crew to die of starvation. Miraculously, these survivors managed to reach the coast after an arduous journey, their testimonies adding to the growing legend of Low's cruelty.As Low's brutality escalated, even his own crew began to balk at his extreme methods. There are accounts of crew members refusing to follow his orders for torture, a dangerous stance given Low's volatile temperament. This growing dissatisfaction among his men would ultimately contribute to Low's downfall. The final days of Edward Low are shrouded in mystery and conflicting accounts. Some reports suggest that he continued sailing with the crew of his last surviving ship, the "Merry Christmas," until he met his end in a storm off the coast of Brazil. Others claim that his crew, finally fed up with his excessive cruelty, mutinied and marooned him on a deserted island. One of the most intriguing accounts of Low's fate suggests that he was eventually captured by the French and executed in Martinique in late 1724. This version of events provides a fitting end to the career of one of the most notorious pirates in history - brought to justice by the very authorities he had terrorized for years. The legacy of Edward Low extends far beyond his brief but intense career as a pirate. His extreme brutality and the legends that grew around his exploits have made him a subject of fascination for historians and storytellers alike. Low represents the darker side of pirate lore, a stark contrast to the more romanticized versions of piracy often portrayed in popular culture. In modern times, Low's influence can be seen in various depictions of pirates in literature, film, and television. While he may not be as well-known as figures like Blackbeard or Captain Kidd, his reputation for cruelty has helped shape the archetype of the ruthless, bloodthirsty pirate that continues to captivate audiences. Edward Low's story serves as a reminder of the complex realities of the Golden Age of Piracy. While many were drawn to piracy by dreams of freedom and fortune, the harsh realities of life at sea and the constant threat of capture or death often led to extreme behaviors. Low's career, marked by both incredible success and unparalleled brutality, encapsulates the contradictions and complexities of pirate life in the early 18th century. As we reflect on the life and legacy of Edward Low, we're confronted with a figure who pushes the boundaries of our understanding of piracy. His story challenges us to consider the fine line between the romantic notion of the freedom-seeking pirate and the harsh realities of a life of violence and crime on the high seas. Whether viewed as a brutal criminal or a product of his harsh times, Edward Low remains one of the most infamous and intriguing figures of the Golden Age of Piracy, his legend continuing to captivate and horrify us nearly three centuries after his disappearance from the pages of history.