The Constant: A History of Getting Things Wrong Great Lakes Pirates, Part 1: Pirate Bill
Dec 30, 2025
Dive into the world of Great Lakes piracy with tales of Bill Johnston, a former loyalist turned rebel. Uncover how the beaver fur trade fueled lawlessness and the tactical use of small boats in warfare. Discover Johnston's daring escapes, sabotage plans, and the political turmoil post-war, including the challenges to British authority. You'll learn how Johnston became a Patriot commodore and the consequences that followed, leading to Canada’s shift towards self-government and the enduring legacy of piracy on the lakes.
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Beaver Fur Fueled Early Lake Lawlessness
- Beaver pelts drove early Great Lakes economy and attracted lawlessness around fur trade routes.
- Large, valuable canoes carried thousands of pelts but were lightly protected and highly vulnerable.
Great Lakes Piracy Is A Different Beast
- The Golden Age of piracy ended by 1730, but Great Lakes 'piracy' emerged much later with different scale and motives.
- Early Great Lakes pirates like Bill Johnston resembled political insurgents more than Caribbean buccaneers.
Bill Johnston: From Merchant To Militant
- Bill Johnston was a sober, respectable businessman turned militant after personal grievances with British authorities.
- He claimed conversion to American cause began after being jailed and losing property to the British.