The 17th century Turkish Abductions in the Westman Islands

One of the most unusual events in the history of the Westman Islands is concerns a series of pirate raids that took place in southern Iceland in 1627. You’ll hear more about this fascinating chapter in Icelandic history if you sign up for our Puffins and Pirates tour, during which you will visit some of the key locations involved. Let’s get a head start as we explore the 17^th century Turkish Abductions in the Westman Islands. 

Who was responsible?

These incursions are sometimes referred to as the Turkish Abductions as they were carried out under the flag of the Ottoman Empire. Slavery was ingrained in Ottoman society; slave traders were paid handsomely and brought their human shipments to markets across the empire. 

Some of these unfortunate people were Icelanders. As well as its formal empire, the Ottomans also had tributary states which would send money back to those in power. One of these was the Regency of Algiers. It was known for its corsairs – pirates who plundered goods and took captives.

What happened in 1627?

In a horrifying series of incidents in 1627, these corsairs arrived at Iceland’s shores, but they weren’t the first. A pirate ship from Salé in what’s now Morocco targeted Grindavik on the Reykjanes peninsula in June. They managed to capture at least a dozen people and sailed back to Salé where they were offloaded at auction.

Less than a month later, a second boat arrived, this time in the East Fjords. It had begun its journey in Algiers and arrived with the intent to intimidate, threaten and steal. Rounding up 110 Icelanders as well as livestock and other goods, they set sail. The weather turned bad and when they reached Fáskrúðsfjörður, they decided to alter their course and travel along the south coast instead.

On July 16th 1627, this ship and two others reached Heimaey, the first place where it was safe to anchor. They came ashore at Ræningjatangi on the southern side of the island and set light to homes, farms and the church. At the time 500 people lived on Heimaey. Almost half of them – 242 to be precise – were either kidnapped or killed. 

There had been little warning of the attack. The captives were carted off to Algiers where they could be sold to the highest bidder at the slave market. Once there, however, Reverend Ólafur Egilsson was released by the pirates and sent to Copenhagen to secure a ransom. 

It took nine years to raise the money to free 34 of those Icelandic slaves and return them to their homeland. Just 27 made it home. Years later, in 1645, a further eight were bought. They were taken to Copenhagen but records from that time are sketchy and no one knows for sure what happened to them.

The legacy of these terrible events

However, some islanders escaped the clutches of the corsairs; many of those who survived did so because they hid in the island’s coastal caves and cliffs. 

• Pirate Cove

Ræningjatangi (Pirate Cove) is where the Algerian corsairs came ashore, as they believed that the islanders would be taken by surprise. Overlooking Heimaey’s harbour, measures taken near to where you see Skansinn Fort meant that part of the island was easier to defend. The plan worked, and the invaders were able to ransack property, round up captives and kill anyone who tried to resist. 

• Fiskhellar

Before the pirates arrived, these caves were used to dry fish. Some islanders chose to hide in them, hoisting women and children down on ropes so that they could hide. It didn’t work; the corsairs found them, murdering those they were unable to capture. However on Thorlaugargerdishilla, a rocky ledge, the attackers shot at those hiding but were unable to reach them.

• Hundraðmannahellir

Hundred Man Cave gets its name from the number of people who sought refuge inside it. They might have escaped with their lives were it not for one man’s dog, who was caught sniffing at the entrance of the cave. The corsairs noticed and came to investigate. They found those that were hiding; these unlucky individuals were later sold as slaves in Algiers.If you have an interest in visiting these places, why not book a spot on our Puffins and Pirates ATV tour?