Pirates of the Galapagos Islands: Myths, Legends, and Hidden Treasures

The Forgotten Stories of the Enchanted Isles

The Galapagos Islands, often celebrated for their breathtaking wildlife and as the inspiration for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, hold a lesser-known yet equally fascinating history—these remote volcanic islands, isolated in the vast Pacific Ocean, served as a crucial refuge for pirates and whalers long before they became a scientific and ecological treasure.

The Origin of the Name “Galapagos”

The name "Galapagos" derives from the Spanish word galápago, which refers to a type of saddle. The early Spanish explorers noticed that the shells of the giant tortoises resembled the shape of a galápago saddle, leading to the archipelago's distinctive name.

The First Visitors: Pirates and Corsairs

Before Darwin set foot on the Galapagos in 1835, the islands had already witnessed the arrival of some of the Pacific’s most infamous seafarers. From 1680 to 1720, the region became a strategic haven for English, Dutch, and French pirates who sought to plunder Spanish treasure fleets transporting silver from Peru on the legendary “ruta de la plata”, or “route of silver”. The Galapagos offered these marauders a secluded escape, providing fresh meat in the form of giant tortoises, fresh water springs and strategic positioning for their next attacks.

Two of the most famous buccaneers- a pirate sponsored by a nation to raid and plunder other nation’s ships- to explore the islands were William Dampier and William Ambrosia Cowley. While many of their contemporaries were illiterate plunderers, these two left behind detailed accounts of the Galapagos’ geography, flora, and fauna—some of the earliest descriptions of the archipelago. Cowley even mapped the islands, giving them names that honored prominent figures from England’s Stuart court. The first published map of the Galapagos Islands appeared in 1699, created by William Hacke in the book Collection of Original Voyages.

The Whalers

By the late 18th and early 19th centuries, whalers began using the islands as a crucial supply station. Unlike the pirates, who primarily used the Galapagos as a temporary hideout and were few in numbers, the whalers left a lasting impact. They harvested thousands of giant tortoises, which could survive for months without food or water in the dark holds of ships, serving as a fresh meat source for long voyages. This exploitation led to the near-extinction of some species, with the most tragic example being the Pinta Island tortoise, whose last known member, Lonesome George, died in 2012.

Whalers also ventured to the Galapagos to collect whale blubber, which was essential for producing oil. Whale oil was burned in lamps to light the streets of Guayaquil and other cities, making it a highly valuable commodity of the time.  (combine this part with previous paragraph)

The whalers also left a peculiar legacy—the first official post office in Ecuador. In 1793, Captain James Colnett established a wooden barrel on Floreana Island, where sailors could leave letters to be picked up by passing ships headed in the right direction. This system, known as "Post Office Bay," still operates today as a quirky tourist attraction.

Myths of Hidden Treasures

The presence of pirates and the precarious history of colonial-era Spanish treasure shipments have fueled countless legends of hidden riches buried in the Galapagos. One of the most intriguing stories revolves around the Mary Dear, a ship that vanished in 1821 carrying vast amounts of gold and a solid gold statue of the Virgin Mary adorned with precious stones. Many treasure hunters have searched for the Mary Dear’s treasure near Cocos Island, believing it to be the ship’s final resting place. However, some historians argue that the ship may have actually ended up in the Galapagos, where its legendary treasure could still be hidden.

The Mutiny of the Washington

Another notorious event, the mutiny of the Washington in 1845, adds to the allure of buried treasure. The Washington set sail from Callao, Peru, bound for Liverpool, carrying a fortune in silver, jewels, and other valuables. However, the voyage took a dark turn when the crew mutinied, murdering the captain, his son, and the ship’s officers before taking control of the vessel. Seeking a secluded place to divide the loot, they made their way to the Galapagos Islands.

Once on land, the mutineers quarreled over the enormous treasure, leading to a violent confrontation in which three men were killed. The remaining crew members buried a portion of their wealth in an undisclosed location before setting the Washington ablaze and scuttling it to ensure there were no witnesses. Nine of the surviving pirates managed to return to the mainland, where they planned to retrieve their hidden fortune. However, two of them, Adams and Rossell, were captured and tried in Guayaquil. Although authorities recovered some pieces of silver, much of the treasure was never found, fueling rumors that it still lies hidden somewhere in the Galapagos.

Ernest Charton’s Unforgettable Ordeal

In 1848, the French painter Ernest Charton set sail from Valparaíso aboard the Rosa II, bound for California, hoping to profit from the Gold Rush by selling tools to miners. However, water shortages forced the crew to stop at Floreana, then a penal colony. While Charton and most of the crew explored the island, the ship’s pilot, an Englishman named Bulton, seized control of the vessel. When the crew attempted to return, for reasons unknown but most likely because of the scarcity of food and water aboard the ship, Bulton pointed a rifle at them and declared, “One more word and I’ll put a bullet in your head.”

Stranded on Floreana, Charton and 18 other castaways endured three grueling months of survival alongside the prisoners until they were rescued by the Ecuadorian Navy vessel Dos Hermanos. Afterward, Charton settled in Guayaquil before returning to France. In 1862, he came back to Ecuador, where he became an influential art teacher and founded the country’s first fine arts school.

The Last Pirates of Galapagos

As piracy declined in the 19th century, a few rogue figures kept the legend alive. Thomas Lewis, a supposed former lieutenant of the corsair Guillermo Brown, is often called the "last pirate of the Galapagos." He and his descendants were rumored to live off a hidden hoard of gold. His grandson, who later became a lighthouse keeper in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, was known for always paying on time—and curiously, always in gold coins. His story fueled speculation that the Lewis family indeed possessed a hidden treasure.

The Galapagos Today: A Living Museum of History

Today, the Galapagos Islands are best known for their unique biodiversity and status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, the remnants of their piratical past endure in enduring legends. The islands remain an enigmatic place where nature and history intertwine, drawing adventurers and dreamers alike, hoping to uncover the secrets left behind by those who once roamed these enchanted isles.

Whether or not treasure truly lies beneath the volcanic soil, one thing is certain: the Galapagos Islands hold an invaluable treasure trove of stories, waiting to be discovered by those willing to listen to the whispers of the past.