Roberto Cofresi - The Early Years:
Roberto Cofresi (June 17, 1791 – March 29, 1825) Born Roberto Cofresi y Ramirez de Arellano in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, is Puerto Rico’s most famous pirate and is better know as “El Pirata Cofresi”.
There are two stories about where Cofresi’s father came from. The first version is that his father was a German named Franz Von Kupferschein, who changed his surname to Cofresi because it was easier for the people of Puerto Rico to pronounce. The second version is that his father was Francisco Cofresi from Trieste, Italy.
However, one thing is certain and that is that his mother was Maria Germana Ramirez de Arellano from Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. She died when he was four years old. Cofresi went to primary school in his hometown. As a young child, raised on the coast with the sounds of the waves pounding on the beach, Cofresi spent hours and days daydreaming about someday becoming an adventurous sailor in the seas. Those dreams were mostly inspired by the tales that he heard from the sailors who visited his town. Cofresi had a small boat, which he baptized “El Mosquito” (The Mosquito).
The Piracy of Cofresi:
Cofresi would set out to sea in his schooner, “Ana”, with a crew made up of men from Cabo Rojo, and attack ships that did not fly the Royal Spanish flag. The people on the coasts of Puerto Rico are said to have protected him from the authorities and, according to the Puerto Rican historian Aurelio Tio, Cofresi shared his spoils with the needy, especially members of his family and his friends. He was regarded by many as the Puerto Rican version of Robin Hood.
Cofresi's leadership was enhanced by a bold and audacious personality, a trait acknowledged even by those who pursued him. However, there are 19th century reports stating that he did have a rule of engagement establishing that when a vessel was captured, only those that were willing to join his crew were allowed to live. His influence extended beyond this group and also included a large number of civil informants and associates, which formed a network so vast that it took 14 years after his death to fully dismantle it.
Despite never admitting to any murder, reports claim that he boasted about his crimes and that the number of persons that died as a consequence of his pillaging ranged between 300 and 400 victims, most of them foreigners. Eventually the pressure proved too much for the local authorities, who being unable to contain him by themselves began accepting international cooperation to capture Cofresí.
Cofresi - The Capture, The Death, The Legend:
On March 5, 1825, this cooperation yielded success by setting an trap which forced Ana into a naval battle. After 45 minutes, Cofresí abandoned his ship and escaped by land, but he was recognized by a local who ambushed and injured him. This facilitated his capture and imprisonment, where Cofresí made one last unsuccessful attempt at escaping by offering part of a hidden stash to an official. Sent to San Juan, a brief military trial found them guilty and ordered a death sentence. On March 29, 1825, Cofresí and most members of the crew were executed by firing squad.
After his execution, Cofresí's life was the inspiration for several stories and myths, most of them highlighting the Robin Hood-like "steal from the rich, give to the poor" philosophy that became associated with him. Through poetry and oral tradition, this portrayal has evolved into legend, being commonly accepted as veridical in Puerto Rico and throughout the rest of theWest Indies. A secondary aspect of this romanticism is the association of his figure to the Puerto Rican independence movement and other secessionist initiatives, including Simon Bolivar's campaign against Spain. Both the historical and mythical accounts of his life have inspired countless songs, poems, plays, books and films.
It is believed by some that part of Cofresi’s treasure may still be hidden in the caves of Sabana Seca, close to a restaurant called “La Guarida del Pirata Cofresi” (Pirate Cofresi’s Hideout).
The Cache:
In true pirate fashion, the treasure must be searched for. The cache is a small treasure chest inside of a golden tube, the treasure is about 30 feet south of GZ. Be careful, there is water nearby and greebelt traffic, keep an eye on the kids and pets.