Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Jose Gasparilla
An 18th Century West Indiaman
As leader of a mutinous uprising, Lt. Gaspar seized command of the Spanish war-sloop FloridaBlanca in 1783. Known as "Gasparilla", he captured and destroyed thirty-six or more ships in twelve years of piracy; a career ended with an attack upon a U.S. Navy warship disguised as a merchantman. He was drowned when he leaped into the sea to avoid capture.
Gasparilla's spirit lives on as Ye Mystic Krewe boards the Jose Gasparilla each February to beseige the city's defenses with shot and shell a tradition since May, 1904.
Successful in battle, Ye Mystic Krewe parades triumphantly through the streets of Tampa. Holding the city in a week-long festival of merrymaking, the joyous pirates pledge allegiance to a newly-crowned King Gasparilla and his Queen.
By mandate of the Pirate King - Ye Mystic Krewe boards the ship "Jose Gasparilla" the second Saturday in February departing to return February next.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1783.
Location. 27° 56.417′ N, 82° 27.58′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. Marker is on Bayshore Boulevard south of Hyde Park Place, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located at the Bayshore Marina, a City of Tampa Municipal Marina, along the Davis Channel, and at the north end of the Bayshore Boulevard Linear Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 312 Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa FL 33606, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Florida's First Catholic Martyrs (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bayshore Boulevard (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); World's First Scheduled Commercial Airline (about 500 feet away); Site of Mirabella Fish Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hutchinson House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Clara Barton (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gordon Keller (approx. ¼ mile away); Site of Fort Brooke (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.
Regarding Jose Gasparilla. Tampa's annual Gasparilla Celebration festivities begin with the pirate invasion flotilla, led by Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla aboard their vessel, the José Gasparilla. An elaborate parade follows, featuring the pirates of Ye Mystic Krewe and over 60 other charitable Krewe organizations in a spectacle which draws hundreds of thousands of revelers to the city. Various other Gasparilla-related events follow in the succeeding weeks, including a children's parade, the Gasparilla Distance Classic marathon, and the Sant´Yago Illuminated Knight Parade.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,445 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 25, 2010, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.