Of Captain Thomas Tew

Madagascar

As increased political pressure caused the Caribbean hunting grounds to fall out of favor toward the early 18th century, pirates were forced to seek out freer lands to continue their business of pillage and plunder.

Well-known pirates like Captain Kidd, Henry Every and Thomas Tew found this pirate's paradise in the sprawling island of Madagascar. Situated strategically in the Indian Ocean, it was a perfect base for capturing ships laden with valuable luxury goods from the East. Pirate colonization of the area continued unabated, and for a period of 20 years, European pirates had sole control of the waters of the Indian Ocean.

The pirate paradise would last until the British East India Company had such a great interest in maritime trade in the area that they mounted their own war against the pirates—eventually eliminating them and freeing the sea for commerce.