The Voyage of Copley Banks

The Voyage of Copley Banks is a short story written by Arthur Conan Doyle first published in the Pearson's Magazine in may 1897. 3rd story of the Captain Sharkey saga.

Copley Banks, of Kingston, had been one of the leading sugar merchants of the West Indies. The pirate John Sharkey killed his wife and two children when they were sailing from England. Since then Banks is gathering information to locate Sharkey. Two years after his misfortunes, he decides to prepare the brig Ruffling Harry for a slaving venture to Whydah in Africa. However, the ship is heavily armed like a warship rather than a merchant. And he hires the scum of the port, instead of the usual sailors from the firm. After the departure Copley Banks reveals his plans to the crew. He explains that he chooses the pirate's life. Among the 46 men only 4 decide to return to the port. After a year of piracy Copley Banks becomes as famous as Sharkey. And one day in Cuba they both meet while careening their boats. They become good friends and sunked ships together for a long while. Sharkey knew nothing of the evil that he had done to his new boon companion. One day, in the captain's cabin Banks and Sharkey are alone face to face. Banks tells him the story of his murdered wife and sons and captures Sharkey. He ties him securely around a powder barrel and lit a slow powder line while he leaves the boat. From the shore he sees the boat exploding with all his captain and crew.

classic, Captain Sharkey, short story, pirate barque, pirate ship, island, adventure, sea adventure