Mansel Alcantra

Mansel Alcantra
Born	fl. 1829 Spain
Piratical career
Years active	1820s
Rank	Captain
Base of operations	South Atlantic Ocean
Commands	Macrinarian

Mansel Alcantra or Alcantara (fl. 1829) was a Spanish pirate active in the South Atlantic during the early 19th century. As well as committing acts of piracy, he was also responsible for several incidents of mass murder. The most infamous of these acts occurred in 1829 when his brig, the Macrinarian, captured the Liverpool packet ship Topaz near St. Helena while en route from Calcutta to Boston. After he and his men had finished looting the ship, Alcantara had the entire crew murdered.

That same year, he seized and plundered the American ship, the Candace from Marblehead. The ship's supercargo, allegedly an amateur actor, disguised himself as a Roman Catholic priest by dressing himself in a black gown and broad rimmed hat. He waited in his cabin pretending to "tell his beads" and, when the pirates finally entered his cabin, they respectfully crossed themselves and left the room. The young man was the only one of the crew and passengers not robbed by the pirates.

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