Henry Every, also known as Henry Avery, John Avery, Long Ben, and Benjamin Bridgeman was born in 1653? which conflicting accounts vary. He began his mariner occupation possibly with the Royal Navy yet these accounts are also called into question with one record he enlisted as a midshipman in 1690. After his obligation to the navy in 1691 was completed he easily found seaworthy employment by the governor of Bermuda to convey slaves to the New World. A few short years later in 1694, he was a first mate as part of the crew of a Spanish ship and with the crew displeased with their captain for his disdain of them and continued drunken demeanor asked Emery to lead a mutiny and take command as the new captain. The event was successful and with the ship now under his command renamed the Fancy he convinced the crew to proceed to an area where ships from other countries chose to trade. This proved to be a profitable venture and the unwary vessels were no match for his skill and easily plundered them. His biggest prize came in 1695 when Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir assembled a flotilla to travel to Mecca and was set upon by Emery and who captured the Ganj-i-Sawai which was filled with the treasure of various kinds.

When Every attempted to attack this ship found out they had superior numbers of men and cannons, but a favorable blast took out the mast and a cannon explored the treasure ship killing many of the crew. The pirate crew eventually won the day and the aftermath of the losing crew was met with torture and death with some killing themselves rather than divulging where items were hidden. The fallout of this act led to the apprehension of those part of the English East India Company who were considered part of the conspiracy. To appease emperor Aurangzeb and promote continued trade England officered reimbursement for what was stolen and offered a substantial bounty on Every. Ships from numerous nations took part in this quest. With the treasure now under the control of Every he chose to deceive other captains not part of his most trusted crew and eventually most of his crew were found and brought to justice. He escaped his fate for the time being and not much is known after this with rumors he died in poverty.


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