Pirate Bill was born in Canada back in 1782. He spent the first 30 years of his life as a British Loyalist. He worked at several jobs before being a captain of his own schooner on Lake Ontario.
During the War of 1812, the British accused him of being a spy and ordered his arrest. He escaped and then made his own war on the British. During the years of 1813-1814 he did spy on the British, attacking their supply boats, robbed mail couriers, burned ships and participated in two engagements.
In 1838, he led a party to capture the passenger steamer Sir Robert Peel. To make a long story short they burned the ship when they could not get the boilers to work. A search party was sent out but they could not find Bill. Finally, he surrendered to the American’s later that year. Try as they may they could not get a jury to convict him of any wrong doing. When he was jailed, he escaped when the mood struck him.
In his later years William “Pirate Bill” Johnston continued to smuggle both tea, rum and whatever he pleased. He died in 1870. His adventures were so many I only highlighted a few, look him up to read more.
Until tomorrow keep a smile on your face and a penny in your pocket. As for me I’m off to the driving range. Sunday afternoon is only a day or so from now… TTFN
Anyone who smuggled run has to be a good guy.
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