Roc Brasiliano was born in the Dutch Republic and operated as a pirate from 1654 - 1671 in the Caribbean. His parents moved to Dutch Brazil when he was young. He learned to pirate from Henry Morgan and Francois l'Ollonais and would also learn their brutality. Nobody knows when Roc Brasiliano died because he disappeared in 1671.
Jump to:
Roc Brasiliano Facts: Port Royal
Roc Brasiliano got his start in the pirate haven in Port Royal. He began as a respectful young man and ended up starting a mutiny on a ship and began his life as a buccaneer. After taking over the ship, he captured a Spanish Treasure Galleon and brought it back to Port Royal.
These actions made him a local hero and a marked man by the Spanish. The Spanish managed to capture him and sentenced him to death. Brasiliano managed to escape and resumed his buccaneer career with the utmost cruelty.
Like l'Ollonais, Roc Brasiliano was known for his cruelty for the Spanish.
Roc Brasiliano Facts: Campeche
Roc Brasiliano made his living raiding Spanish treasure fleets across the Spanish Main. Once, while raiding ships off the coast of Mexico, Roc and his crew was ran into a fierce storm and were shipwrecked near Campeche.
He and his crew made it to the coast and opted to walk to the nearest pirate haven, Golpho Triste. Along the way, the Spanish pursued him and his men. Roc's men numbered 30 while the Spanish numbered 100, and he had limited ammunition.
Roc and his men employed guerrilla tactics against the Spanish. They made quick and accurate attacks and were highly mobile. Their attacks weakened the Spanish to the point they retreated. Roc and his men killed the wounded and frisked their bodies for resources.
He and his men continued until hey found a logging site where a sloop of war was located. He and his men rushed the loggers and quickly took command of the sloop of war. In doing this, they gained valuable resources and another ship.
Roc Brasiliano Facts: Last Expedition
After spending his fortune, Roc decided to recruit another crew and head back out to see to plunder another fortune. At this time, the Spanish had lost a number of ships and had slowed down their naval activity in the Caribbean.
Due to inactivity, many buccaneers, including Roc, had to raid settlements to gain their fortune. Roc managed to capture a wealthy Spanish settlement and then escape to Florida. While in Florida, he raided the Spanish colony of St. Augustine and accumulated much money.
In 1671, Roc Brasiliano was never seen again. Two predominant theories surround what happened to him:
- He Retired - Roc was a wealthy pirate after his raid on Campeche and Saint Augustine. Perhaps he sailed away and life a life of anonymity.
- He Died - Perhaps he died at sea and lost his entire crew.
Regardless, it is one of the great mysteries. There is nothing in Roc's personality that suggests he would have retired quickly. He sacked 2 cities and had gained much notoriety for his exploits. He was one of the wealthiest pirates to sail the Spanish Main during the Golden Age of Piracy.