John Read

John Read (fl. 1683-1688) was an English buccaneer, privateer, and pirate active from South America to the East Indies to the Indian Ocean.

History Along with navigator and chronicler William Dampier, Read was a crewman aboard John Cook's 1683 privateering expedition which captured a prize ship they renamed Bachelor's Delight. as Captain, who was himself soon replaced as Captain by Read, setting sail in early 1687.

Read sailed Cygnet through the East Indies with little treasure to show for the voyage. In early 1688 they landed on Australia. Read sailed to the Indian Ocean, capturing their first lucrative prize ship in the process.