William Burke (pirate)

William Burke (died 1699, first name occasionally Thomas,[1] last name occasionally Burk, Burt, Bourck, Burch, or Burcke) was an Irish[2] pirate and trader active in the Caribbean and near Newfoundland, best known for aiding William Kidd.

[3] After menacing the Newfoundland fishing fleets he sailed to the Caribbean, trading slaves between Barbados and Curacao.

[4] In May 1699 he visited Governor Lorentz of St. Thomas offering to fence goods from William Kidd, who had been in the area to sell off his remaining plunder and sell or replace his leaking ship Quedagh Merchant (which Kidd had renamed Adventure Prize).

The local Brandenburg representative Van Belle accepted Burke's offer and through intermediaries took possession of Kidd's merchandise.

[4] Six of Kidd's sailors left the Quedagh Merchant with Burke, who sailed for Curacao.