Hook Gang

Hook Gang
The Hook Gang of river pirates raided ship cargo in the mid–late 19th century along the New York City waterfront.
Foundedc. 1866
Founding locationCorlear's Hook, Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York, United States
Years activec. 1866–1876
TerritoryCorlear's Hook, Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York, United States
Ethnicitypredominantly Irish-American
Membership (est.)50–100
Criminal activitiesarmed robbery, theft, hijacking, river piracy
RivalsPatsy Conroy Gang short tails
The New York City waterfront where the Hook Gang of river pirates harassed shipping from 1866–1876.
The New York City Police Department's "Steamboat Squad" headed by George Gastlin attacked the Hook Gang of river pirates and permanently broke them up in 1876

The Hook Gang was a street gang, and later a band of river pirates, active in New York City in the 1860s and 1870s. The gang was prominent in the Fourth Ward and Corlear's Hook districts immediately after the American Civil War, until their breakup by the New York City Police Department in 1876.