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サマリー
あらすじ・解説
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 ...