This was the
time when Spanish and Portuguese galleons were crossing the ocean laden
with silver from Potosi and diamonds from Brazil. Pirates and
privateers scoured the seas to rob the treasure-ships, and great
expeditions were sent out by England in war times for the same purpose.
The imaginations of men ran riot during this feverish state of things,
and people were ready to believe almost any yarn "spun" in the
forecastle.
Phips was just the man to be moved by such tales, and, when he learned
of a certain rich wreck on the Bahamas, he at once fitted out a small
vessel and went in search of it. He found and recovered the treasure,
but the amount was small, being only large enough to whet his appetite
for more.
While at the Bahamas, he was told of another Spanish vessel, wrecked
off Puerto Plata more than fifty years before, with a much larger
treasure. His means not being sufficient for this expedition, Phips
sailed for England and made direct application to the Admiralty to aid
him in his search. So ably did this true son of the sea represent his
cause, that he was given command of the "Rose Algier," a ship mounting
eighteen guns and carrying a hundred men.
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