David Herriot

David Herriot (died 1718, occasionally Herriott) was a ship's master and pirate best known for serving under Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet.

History

Herriot was master of the 80-ton 8-gun Jamaican logwood hauler Adventure when it was captured by Edward “Blackbeard” Teach in early 1718 near the Turneffe Islands. Captain Stede Bonnet of the Revenge had also joined Blackbeard recently, recuperating after being wounded fleeing a Spanish warship.

During his later trial Herriot would testify that Blackbeard intentionally grounded his flagship Queen Anne’s Revenge at Topsail Inlet in order to break up his growing fleet and escape with all its collected loot. The Adventure was also grounded and lost while trying to reach the Queen Anne's Revenge. Bonnet’s boatswain Ignatius Pell confirmed his testimony, though historians still debate the matter. Bonnet tried to chase down the fleeing Teach but missed him and plundered merchant vessels throughout July instead. That November in the marshes of Sullivan’s Island, Bonnet was recaptured by Rhett while Herriot and two others were shot and killed. Bonnet was hanged in Charleston in December 1718.