John Clipperton - Second Expedition

Second Expedition

Much more is known about Clipperton‘s second voyage to the Pacific Ocean, in 1719. By that time Clipperton had become an able and diligent captain, but he was still unable to control his rash temper. In 1718, a group of London Merchants, the 'Gentleman Venturers' had financed a privateering expedition in expectation of the outbreak of the War of the Quadruple Alliance, with a commission to cruise against the Spanish in the South Sea. Clipperton in the Success journeyed to the South Seas with the Speedwell, Captain George Shelvocke, Clipperton having replaced Shelvocke as overall commander of the expedition before the two ships left Plymouth in February 1719. The two ships lost each other shortly after setting sail in a storm out from the Bay of Biscay and did not meet up again until nearly two years later in the Pacific.

Clipperton sailed right around South America, raiding Spanish shipping. He captured his old enemy the Marquis of Villa Roche, whom he treated with much respect. Later, his travels carried him to Mexico and to Macau, where he stayed as his health deteriorated. He then sailed to Batavia (now Jakarta) in Dutch Indonesia, finally returning to his family in Galway in Ireland in June 1722. He died a week after returning home.