Roche was involved in insurance scams, insuring ships then intentionally wrecking them, occasionally using the alias John Eustace. In November 1721 Roche and three associates booked passage on a French vessel sailing to Nantes. Roche was charismatic and had knowledge of seafaring, and convinced the ship’s master to let him handle the vessel. At a signal they rose up, slaughtered the French crew, and threw the captain overboard. They debated where to sail next, including Newfoundland. Afraid of being discovered, they modified the ship’s appearance, altered the ship’s logbooks, and renamed it Mary before sailing to Rotterdam to sell its cargo.