He was a vicious killer, notorious pirate and black-hearted poisoner who struck fear into captains on the high seas.
Rather than resort to traditional, swords drawn, boarding tactics Alexander Tardy and his crew employed a variety of darker arts that set them apart.
They were experts in subterfuge, who donned disguises to board vessels without arousing suspicion before slipping death into the food and drink of the unfortunate ship’s captain and his crew and blaming the ship’s cook.
Now “Tardy the Pirate” has been “brought back to life” and his visage is once more striking fear into the hearts of those who see him.
His face has been recreated by Dundee University student Amy Thornton and unveiled at this year’s Dundee University Masters Show.
A cast of Tardy’s skull has been held in Edinburgh University’s Anatomical Museum and they contacted the University’s renowned forensics department about a facial reconstruction and full body cast.
Amy decided to take the commission on as her Masters project and it can be seen at Masters Show 2015 at Duncan of Jordanstone, which opens with a preview this Friday and runs until Saturday August 29.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Courier or try our digital edition.