Anderson and his men came in under the stern of HMS Shannon, jammed her rudder and scrambled up her ropes.
But the captain had been looking out for them. He had orders to capture Anderson if he came within range, and to take him to Hobart for trial. At pistol point, the captain called on Anderson to surrender.
Black Jack Anderson by Elaine Forrestal
Ruthless, passionate, charismatic and complex, Black Jack Anderson made a living by raiding passing ships off the southwest coast of Australia. The massive African-American was notorious in his lifetime, but this towering figure in Australian history has slowly been forgotten … until now.
Elaine Forrestal has written the definitive Australian pirate story – one that will live forever in the memories of all who read it.
- Release date: 27/06/2008
- Publisher: Penguin Australia
- Available for: $19.95
- ISBN: 9780143005940
- Format: Paperback
Forrestal has imbued this little known bit of Australian history, despite sparce official records, with humanity, drama and romance. Anderson was fearsome but quite a charmer, a man of honour who won the heart of a shipwrecked lass. It’s an excellent book with an amazing story of survival against the odds.
Frank Walker, Sun Herald (Sydney)
Pirates didn’t just ply their deadly trade in the Caribbean. West Australian author Elaine Forrestal uncovers Australia’s most famous buccaneer, Black Jack Anderson, who terrorised the west coast during the 1820s and 1830s from his base on a remote island.
Herald Sun (Melbourne)
Taken from the carefully kept records of a scholar who was with Anderson on his decade long rampage, this book is a fascinating account of a part of Australian history obscured by Captain Cook and Ned Kelly.
Marcus Mendola – South Coast Register (NSW)
Awards
Shortlisted by:
West Australian Young Readers Book Awards (Older Readers), 2009