Peter Curgenven (1682–1729) was an East India merchant who was captured by pirates and forced to endure nine years as a galley slave.
[2] His trading was centred on the Eastern ports and purchasing indigo, saltpetre, silk, sugar, rice, and other commodities, which were sent to England by the Company.
It was on this ship when in August 1720 he set out on a trading voyage to China sailing from Surat, that he was captured by Kanhoji Angre, admiral of the Maratha Navy in 18th century India and then at war with the English at Bombay.
In 1729 he secured his freedom, apparently through his own industry and management, and embarked for England, but just before landing was seized with a violent cramp in his thigh, possibly as a result of being kept so long in bondage.
The cramp was so severe that soon after his arrival in London his thigh was first laid open and, that failing to provide relief, was then amputated close to his body.