John Black (1778–1802)
John Black, the son of a clergyman, was a ship's officer and privateer (state-sanctioned pirate).
While a ship's officer on the Britannia, which brought convicts to Sydney in 1798, he formed a relationship with convict, Mary Hyde. He settled in Sydney where he engaged in whaling operations, voyages of exploration, and capturing Spanish vessels. In 1802, as ship's captain, he sailed from Sydney to India, to Bombay (Mumbai) and then to Calcutta (Kolkata) on the brig Fly before being lost at sea on the return voyage.
Additional Resources
- it is likely that the Fly has been lost at sea, Sydney Gazette, 5 March 1803, p 2
- there is still no news of the Fly, Sydney Gazette, 15 April 1804, p 4
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Lord, Mary (partner)
Citation details
'Black, John (1778–1802)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/black-john-25115/text33598, accessed 9 December 2023.
Life Summary [details]
Birth
31 October,
1778
Great Yarmouth,
Norfolk,
England
Death
Cause of Death
Cultural Heritage
Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.