John Bowen was a pirate active in the Indian Ocean during the early years of the ‘Pirate Round,’ commanding the ship Speaker and raiding shipping around Mauritius, the Comoros, and India. He is noted for maintaining relatively cooperative relations with local rulers in the region. Accounts of his death around 1704 following a shipwreck are not fully consistent across sources.
Quick Facts
| Real Name | John Bowen |
|---|---|
| Born | unknown |
| Died | 1704 (reported, unverified) |
| Nationality | American (Bermudian, disputed) |
| Years Active | 1700-1704 |
| Known Ships | Speaker |
| Fate | Reportedly died of illness on Mauritius around 1704 after wrecking his ship; some accounts differ on the exact circumstances |
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