Albert W. Hicks
| Albert W. Hicks | |
|---|---|
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| Born | c. 1820 |
| Died | July 13, 1860 (age 39-40) New York City, New York |
| Criminal penalty | Death by hanging |
| Spouse(s) | 1 wife |
| Conviction(s) | Piracy |
Albert W. Hicks (c. 1820 – July 13, 1860), also known as William Johnson, John Hicks, and Pirate Hicks, was a triple murderer, and the last person executed for piracy in the United States (though the execution of the slaver Nathaniel Gordon in 1862 was under the terms of the Piracy Law of 1820).
In March 1860, Hicks, a long-time deep-water sailor, was shanghai'd on to a ship as a member of an oyster sloop A.E. Johnson. Hicks, while sailing southward to buy oysters to be sold in New York City, attacked his perpetrators Captain George H. Burr and the two other crew members, brothers Smith and Oliver Watts with an ax, murdering them and then throwing the bodies overboard. During his escape, he collided with the schooner J. R. Mather.
The Captain George H. Burr and Oliver Watts retired to their quarters that night to catch some shut eye.
Smith had night duty as watch/lookout on the A.E. Johnson. While Hicks had control of the wheel. Smith had turned his back for a moment to look out near the starboard, this is when Hicks sought the opportunity to attack Smith from behind. Punching Smith repeatedly, Smith stubbled back and nearly fell overboard. Grasping the side of the ship hanging on for his life. Hicksey then grabbed an axe used for chopping wood for the coal furnace and slashed Smith's right fingers off. Smith fell into the ocean and drowned.
After hearing the commotion of the fight, Oliver Watts jumped out of bed and exited his quarters. Finding that Hicksey was alone and smith no where to be found, Watts pulled his sword and began to attack Hicks. Hicks in retaliation then stuck Watts over the head with the axe.
Two crew members were dead and the Captain was still asleep in his quarters. Hicks decided he might as well take control of the ship while he still had the opportunity. So Hicksey entered the Captain's room. The Captain was a very tall, big guy and Hicks fought for an hour with him but eventually cut the Captain's throat entirely. After killing the captain he searched his living quarters for loot.
Hicks then took all the money on board (about $500) and abandoned ship in a yawl, landing on Staten Island. When the abandoned A.E. Johnson was brought ashore, with the murder victims' blood still very much in evidence, Hicks’s day of reckoning neared. After being pursued by authorities through several states, he was captured in Providence, Rhode Island and found to be in possession of the watch of Captain Burr, several money bags, and a coat of Watts's containing a daguerreotype belonging to Oliver Watts.
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