EMANUEL WYNNE

Emanuel Wynne, a French pirate of the 18th century, is often considered the first pirate to fly the Jolly Roger. His design with the skull and crossbones also incorporated an hourglass, meant to signify to his prey that only by timely surrender could they evade death.

Not much is know about Wynne and the only written record about him comes from British Admiralty Record. The record states that Captain John Cranby of HMS Poole ship, engaged Emanuels’ pirate ship near the Cape Verde Islands. Wynne was chased into cove on Brava island, but, aided by Portuguese soldiers, Wynne escaped.

In his written report Cranby described the flag flown by Wynne as "a sable ensign with cross bones, a death's head, and an hour glass."

As an aside to this week's pirate, as I was searching for more info on Wynne I found this:

Hobo nickel pirate coin "Emanuel Wynne". New series I am doing "Pirate Coins". Each coin will be based off of a notorious pirate's flag. First is Emanuel Wynne. Known for being one of the first, if not the first, to use the Jolly Roger. His is a skull and crossbones with a hourglass meant to signify to his prey that only by timely surrender could they evade death. Each coin will include a card with the original flag image. Hand carved on a 1937 full horn buffalo nickel by Robert Morris OHNS RM-1236. I have signed the piece on the back. Coin is all hand push with no power assist.