Thomas Tew | |
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![]() Thomas Tew relates his exploits to Gov. Fletcher of New York by Howard Pyle | |
Born | March 1649 Unknown; likely Great Britain or New England |
Died | 7 September 1695 |
Piratical career | |
Nickname | The Rhode Island Pirate |
Type | Pirate / Privateer |
Years active | 1692–1695 |
Rank | Captain |
Base of operations | Newport, Rhode Island, New York City, and Indian Ocean |
Commands | Amity |
Wealth | about £8,000 |
Later work | see his reputed son Ratsimilaho |
Thomas Tew (died September 1695), also known as the Rhode Island Pirate, was a 17th-century English privateer-turned-pirate. He embarked on two major pirate voyages and met a bloody death on the second, and he pioneered the route which became known as the Pirate Round. Other infamous pirates in his path included Henry Avery and William Kidd.