jan 1, 1725 - Execution of John Gow

Description:

John Gow, known as The Orkney Pirate, was executed on London's execution dock (The Old Bailey). He did not operate so much overseas, but around the British Isles and the west coast of Europe. This was the last major publicized hanging of a pirate. They had to hang him twice, as the rope snapped. Their bodies were thrown in the Thames for 3 tides, and they were gibbeted: bound in chains, tarred, and placed in an iron cage. Gibbeting was outlawed in 1834, and pirates would stay there for months at a time as a reminder.