East Indiamen were large, well-armed merchant ships operated by chartered trading companies such as the English and Dutch East India Companies, carrying valuable cargo across the Indian Ocean. Their wealth made them prime targets for Indian Ocean pirates, most famously Henry Every’s 1695 capture of the Mughal ship Ganj-i-Sawai.
Quick Facts
| Ship Class | Merchant/Armed Trader |
|---|---|
| Era Used | 17th-19th century |
| Typical Crew | 100-150 |
| Guns / Cannons | 20-40 (defensive) |
| Speed / Handling | Slow, heavily built |
| Notable Use | Henry Every's 1695 capture of the Mughal ship Ganj-i-Sawai |
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