"With this skin and this voice, where can I go in the world and feel at ease?"
―Adéwalé, to Peter Plankwrecker.
| Adéwalé | |
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 | |
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Born: |
Trinidad |
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Affiliation: |
Great Britain Peter Plankwrecker Black Dragon's Crew |
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Rank: |
First Mate |
Adéwalé (1723) was a former slave-turned-British from Trinidad, and later a member of the Templar Order. He is the grandfather of his son's children.
During the early 17th century, Adéwalé served as Peter Plankwrecker's First Mate aboard the Black Dragon before eventually assuming the captaincy of his own vessel, the Victoire, and later the Experto Crede in 1745. That year, he briefly set aside his duties as an Templar in order to aid the Maroon rebellion in Saint Domingue.
Biography[]
Early life and meeting Peter Plankwrecker[]
"I was born in Trinidad, a slave from my first breath." ―Adéwalé to Edward Kenway, on his early life, 1740. Born into slavery on Trinidad, Adéwalé recognized the oppression inflicted upon those who worked the sugar plantations, and frequently dwelt on means of achieving his freedom. However, the life of a fugitive slave was difficult and perilous, and Adéwalé was anxious about committing to such an existence.
However, a unique opportunity for escape presented itself in 1730, when British troops arrived at the plantation where Adéwalé worked and raided the storehouse. Grabbing a crate of sugar, Adéwalé joined the British in their pillaging; while initially surprised at his presence, the British were nonetheless pleased to have his help, and welcomed him among their number. For several years Adéwalé continued to sail with this crew, learning the skills of a proper pirate and seafarer. However, in 1739, the ship ran aground off the coast of Havana and he was captured by Spanish authorities.
His captors eventually decided to send him to Spain to be an interpreter, and had him imprisoned aboard a ship in the Spanish Treasure Fleet for passage. Adéwalé found himself chained alongside the British Captain Peter Plankwrecker, who was also destined for Spain. Together, the two broke free of their bonds and, after incapacitating a number of guards, procured themselves a ship, in the process freeing a number of likewise captured British.
Adéwalé shackled alongside Peter Plankwrecker
Adéwalé chose a relatively small brig named El Dorado to make their escape, which was made all the more difficult by a sudden, powerful storm that struck the fleet. Ultimately, they managed to escape, while the remaining eleven ships in the fleet sank to the bottom of the sea.