Johan Silber
The Silver Pirate Johan Silber | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Illustration of Johan Silber, 1714. | |
| Born | 1686 Morthal |
| Disappeared | 1717 |
| Nationality | Dolchlandian |
| Occupation | Pirate |
| Years active | 1705-1717 |
| Piratical career | |
| Other names | Johan |
| Base of operations | Typhon Sea |
| Commands | The Leviathan |
Johan Silber (1686-1717), known by many in his time as The Silver Pirate or Der Dolchland-Krabbe was an Dolchlandian born pirate operating in the Adisi Ocean and the Typhon Sea.
Early Life
Little is known of his youth, the only documents naming him come from the archives of Morthal. Johan Silber was born in Morthal, in Dolchland, in November 1686. He is the youngest of 4 brothers. His mother dies young, probably from an aggravated pneumonia, when Johan is only 5 years old.
The future pirate became a sailor at a young age; in his late teens, he joined the Dochland Imperial Navy and fought in several battles. Though it has been speculated that he may have had a wife and child, there is no definite historical proof of this. He became captain of his own ship "der Leviathan" in the Imperial Navy around 1697 and after a dispute with his superiors, he left the navy and sailed to the Typhoon Sea, where he intended to make a fortune in the maritime trade with the rich colonies recently established on the continent.
Career
The maritime trade apparently met with little success, as he soon turned to piracy. He thus began to attack the Mantellan trading ships that made the journey from Mantellan Ionio to the metropolis. His navigational skills and his discipline allowed him to quickly gain notoriety in the middle of piracy and attracted the attention of foreign navies who were worried about the pirate movement. He soon attacked every ship he came across. The Mantellan Navy pursued him some time after several of their cargoes were stolen by the pirate.
He found refuge on one of the many islands in the Baie d'Ailénor and hid from the authorities. He is frequently passing through the pirate republic of Alcazara in the Manamana Bay where he finds refuge. Johan also sailed briefly in the Whanganui Sea and attacked Gallambrian ships before returning to the Typhon Sea.
There he is again pursued by the Mantellan Navy and his ship is seriously damaged during the Naval Battle of Manaca City, Johan is forced to flee and tries to return to the Baie d'Ailénior to hide there and repair his ship. But his ship being too damaged, he resolves to seek refuge in a cove to the east near Bésanciennes.
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Death
On his way to a refuge, the Leviathan was swept up in a violent nor'easter storm off Manaca City at midnight, on 09 Mars 1717. At 15 minutes past midnight, the masts snapped and drew the heavily loaded ship into 30 feet of water, where she capsized and quickly sank, taking Johan and all but four of the Leviathan's 144-man crew with it.
It was long speculated that Johan had survived the sinking and was enjoying a happy and rich life on an island paradise, but these rumors were dispelled when the wreckage of the Leviathan was discovered in 1986.
Legacy
In March 1987, the discovery of the wreckage of his ship Leviathan was announced. At the time of its sinking, the Leviathan was the largest pirate prize ever captured, and the treasure in her hold amassed around 4.5 to 5 tons, including huge amounts of indigo, ivory, gold and £20,000 to £30,000. The discovery of the wreck was made in 1986 by a team of divers led and funded by underwater explorer Josuah Leeves.
Many artifacts that were brought back from the wreckage, including a cannon found stuffed with gems, gold and artifacts.
