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George Compton - Pirate

The riches of the Manila galleons traveling back form the Orient to Mexico by way of California and the Channel passage did not go unheeded by pirates operating with out any foreign government sanctions. One of the most infamous pirates who sailed the Channel was an Englishman, George Compton. After working as a sailor in central America, Compton and a crew of mercenaries captured a Spanish Galleon loaded with gold and used to finance their further exploits in the Pacific, and along the California coast.

In 1753, Compton targeted the Manila Galleon, San Sebastian, in the Channel, and chased it until they sank it off the coast of San Clemente Island. Mission records indicate that Compton’s crew was very barbarous and cruel to the survivors of the San Sebastian and other Spanish ships. He was considered to scourge of the California coast.