It's February 1704 near Cape Horn, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Pacific at the tip of South America.

28-year-old sailing master, Alexander Selker, stands on the quarter-deck of the Sink Ports,

an English ship on a dangerous mission.

The Sink Ports is a privateer, a warship crewed by state-sanctioned pirates.

Her crew has permission from the English government to plunder the high seas, attacking ships of enemy nations.

And today, the sink ports has a target

in its sights, a lone French vessel struggling through the choppy waters off South America.

But this enemy ship is armed and isn't going to yield easily. And as the sink ports approaches,

the French open fire, their first few cannon shots missed the English and fall harmlessly short into the churning waters.

But the next shot whistles close overhead.

Alexander is an experienced officer and doesn't flinch.

He encourages his men to keep their nerve.

They just have to get closer.

But a French shot crashes into the side of the sink ports.

Rushing to the rail, Alexander leans over to check the damage.

The cannonball has penetrated the hull, but thankfully well above the waterline.

Alexander is still convinced they can take the French ship if they get in close quickly enough.

He's about to urge the men on again when there's a call from behind him.

Alexander looks across the deck to see the ship's young captain, Thomas Stradling,

shouting to the men at the helm. He's calling off the attack. The English ship veers to

starboard and breaks off its pursuit. Alexander thumps the rail and curses as the French ship

takes the opportunity to escape.

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