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Tres de Mayo-Remember Veracruz!
On May 3, 1683, the infamous Dutch pirates Laurens de Graaf, Nicholas van Hoorn, Michel de Grammont joined forces to plan an attack on the Spanish port of Veracruz. The Pirate Fleet arrived off the Coast of Veracruz on May 17th with thirteen vessels and approx. 1,300 pirates. De Graaf slipped ashore unnoticed with a small party, and in the pre-dawn, stealthily disabled the town's fortifications and let the main pirate force into the city. After neutralizing the local militia, the pirates spent two days plundering the city. On the second day, a Spanish Fleet arrived to pick up the gold and other treasures to take back to Spain. The pirates retreated taking many hostages with them. Ransoms were demanded, but when the Spanish did not immediately pay, van Hoorn ordered twelve hostages be killed and their heads sent to the Spanish. De Graaf was furious and challenged van Hoorn to a duel. Van Hoorn received a slash across his wrist and was sent to his ship in shackles where he died of infection. Realizing the futility of fighting the Spanish fleet, the hostages were released and the pirates slipped away with their plunder. So login to King's Hobby kingshobby.com to see all Tres de Mayo, May the Fourth, and Cinco de Mayo items available from our virtual warehouse.
King's Hobby Shop Staff
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