Barbe Noire
Barbe Noire, also known as Edward Teach, was one of the most notorious pirates to ever sail the seas. Born in England around 1680, Teach began his career as a privateer during the early 18th century, attacking French and Spanish ships on behalf of the British government. However, Teach soon turned to piracy, attacking ships of all nationalities and amassing a fortune in stolen goods. He was known for his fearsome appearance, which included a long black beard and a multitude of weapons, and he quickly became one of the most feared and respected pirates of his time. Teach's most famous exploit came in 1718, when he blockaded the port of Charleston, South Carolina, and demanded a ransom from the...
Jack Rackham
Jack Rackham, also known as Calico Jack, was a notorious pirate who sailed the Caribbean during the early 18th century. Born in England around 1682, Rackham began his seafaring career as a quartermaster aboard a pirate ship captained by Charles Vane. After Vane was deposed as captain, Rackham formed his own crew and began attacking ships along the coast of Jamaica and Hispaniola. He quickly gained a reputation as a daring and flamboyant pirate, known for his love of fine clothes and extravagant jewelry. However, Rackham's greatest claim to fame came from his association with two of the most famous female pirates of all time, Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Rackham sailed with both women aboard his ship, and together...
William Kidd
William Kidd, also known as Captain Kidd, was a notorious pirate who sailed the Caribbean and the coast of North America during the late 17th century. Born in Scotland in 1645, Kidd began his seafaring career as a privateer, attacking French ships in the West Indies during a time when England and France were at war. However, Kidd soon turned to piracy, attacking ships of any nationality and ransacking coastal towns and settlements. Despite his reputation as a ruthless pirate, Kidd maintained that he was only attacking enemy ships and that he had been authorized to do so by officials in England. In 1698, Kidd was appointed captain of the Adventure Galley, a ship owned by a group of investors...
Anne Bonny
Anne Bonny was a legendary pirate who sailed the Caribbean during the early 18th century. Born in Ireland around 1698, Anne was the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner who immigrated to the British colony of South Carolina. However, Anne was a rebellious and headstrong young woman, and she quickly became fascinated with the lifestyle of the pirates who frequented the port of Charleston. At the age of 16, Anne eloped with a small-time pirate named James Bonny, and the two sailed to the West Indies together. However, Anne soon grew dissatisfied with her marriage and began an affair with another pirate, Calico Jack Rackham. Anne and Rackham formed a formidable team, terrorizing the Caribbean with their daring raids and...
Mary Read
Mary Read was a notorious pirate who sailed the Caribbean during the early 18th century. Born in England around 1690, Mary spent much of her childhood disguised as a boy to help her mother obtain financial support from her mother's wealthy relatives. Later in life, Mary joined the British military and served as a soldier in Flanders during the War of the Spanish Succession. After the war, Mary sailed to the West Indies and joined the crew of a pirate ship captained by John Rackham, also known as Calico Jack. Disguised as a man, Mary quickly proved herself to be a skilled fighter and a valuable member of the crew. She also became close friends with another female pirate, Anne...
Henry Morgan
Henry Morgan was a notorious pirate who terrorized the Caribbean Sea during the late 17th century. Born in Wales around 1635, Morgan began his seafaring career as a privateer, a legal pirate sanctioned by England to attack Spanish ships and ports in the West Indies. Morgan quickly became known for his boldness and cunning, and he soon turned to piracy, attacking ships of any nationality and ransacking coastal towns and settlements. He was particularly adept at exploiting the political tensions between the English and the Spanish, often using his connections to English officials to evade capture and gain valuable intelligence. One of Morgan's most famous exploits was the sacking of Panama City in 1671. Leading a fleet of buccaneers, Morgan...