Regnier Tongrelow

Regnier Tongrelow (fl. 1704-1707) was a prolific privateer who operated out of New England. He captured a large number of ships over a short career, sending most back to New York, and was known for attacking the largest ships he could find.

History

Thought to be French or Dutch, Tongrelow took advantage of privateering opportunities sparked by Queen Anne's War. He is first recorded privateering in early 1704 when he was wounded while capturing several ships near Curacao, which he sent back to Rhode Island to be condemned. Another prize ship he sent back to New England appeared to locals to be a French privateer and was nearly attacked; the privateer prize crew jumped overboard and swam ashore, leading to suspicions that Tongrelow might have verged into piracy.

Tongrelow's sloop Swallow was reclaimed by its owners late in 1704,

They set out that December alongside Otto Van Tuyl, who had taken command of Claver's ship Castel del Rey; on the way out of New York's harbor Van Tuyl's ship ran aground and was destroyed, killing him, while the others evaded worsening weather and sailed to the Caribbean. After repairing his ship he raided off Havana, whose Governor sent two armed sloops in August to capture him; he in turn captured both. The exasperated Governor then assembled a three-ship flotilla to capture Tongrelow, who escaped, though Burches may have been lost in the area when he failed to make a planned rendezvous. Tongrelow's further activities are not recorded; he may have retired, as the New York Galley was soon noted under the command of a Captain Hardy.