James Skyrme

James Skyrme ( - died March 1722, last name occasionally Skyrm) was a Welsh pirate best known for Captaining two of Bartholomew Roberts’ prize ships.

History

In the summer of 1720, James Skyrme sailed from Bristol as first mate of Greyhound. That October off St. Lucia, Bartholomew Roberts took over a dozen vessels, Sailing alongside Roberts, they captured a number of other ships and their crews. Later that year Roberts put into Cape Lopez to careen, replacing Sutton with Skyrme as captain of Ranger. Once Ranger was alone, Ogle sprung his trap and opened fire on the pirates. but Ranger eventually struck its colors and surrendered. Five days after defeating Skyrme, Ogle returned to Cape Lopez and wiped out the rest of Roberts' fleet; Roberts died early in the battle.

Ranger itself survived the battle against Ogle's Swallow, though it did not last much longer. Returned across the Atlantic as a prize ship, it sank off Port Royal when a hurricane devastated the town in August 1722.