Jose Gasparilla-An 18th Century Indiaman
Posted by: 
Markerman62
N 27° 56.420 W 082° 27.582
17R E 356390 N 3091450
A plague in front of the Jose Gaspar in Tampa.
Waymark Code: WMGCFN
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 02/14/2013
Views: 8
This vessel named for Jose Gaspar a gentleman Lieutenant of the Royal Spanish Navy, who achieved great fame as a pirate headquartered on Florida's Gulf Coast.
As leader of a mutinous uprising, Lt. Gaspar seized command of the Spanish war-sloop FloridaBlanca in 1783. Known as "Gasparilla", he captured and destroyed thirty-six or more ships in twelve years of piracy; a career ended with an attack upon a U.S. Navy warship disguised as a merchantman. He was drowned when he leaped into the sea to avoid capture.
Gasparilla's spirit lives on as Ye Mystic Krewe boards the Jose Gasparilla each February to beseige the city's defenses with shot and shell a tradition since May, 1904.
Successful in battle, Ye Mystic Krewe parades triumphantly through the streets of Tampa. Holding the city in a week-long festival of merrymaking, the joyous pirates pledge allegiance to a newly-crowned King Gasparilla and his Queen.
By mandate of the Pirate King - Ye Mystic Krewe boards the ship "Jose Gasparilla" the second Saturday in February departing to return February next.
Marker Number: None
Date: None
County: Hillsborough
Marker Type: Plaque
Sponsored or placed by: None
Website: [Web Link]
|
Visit Instructions:
In your log, please say if you learned something new, and if you took any extra time to explore the area once you stopped at the historic marker waymark.
Please post a photo at the marker location.