When you hear the word “pirate,” do you picture a menacing-looking man with a beard, a hook, and a parrot on his shoulder? Hollywood has certainly informed our perception of pirates (we’re looking at you, Captain Hook and Jack Sparrow!), and popular culture as a whole has encouraged people of all ages to learn about these individuals who made sailing on the seas between 1650 and 1720 quite treacherous, to say the least.
In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to nine of the most famous pirates in history. We think you’ll be surprised to discover that this list not only features some lesser-known pirates, but also some famous female pirates. It’s with all hands on deck that we officially commence our countdown below . . .
Famous Pirate #9: Mary Read
We’re kicking off this list with one of the most famous female pirates to have ever sailed the seas. Born in London, Mary Read dressed as a man and worked as a sailor, and historians seem to think that she made the decision to become a pirate or was forced into piracy when her ship was seized by English pirates in the West Indies. Upon boarding the pirate ship captained by John Rackham (you’ll learn about Rackham shortly), she befriended another woman named Anne Bonny. Smithsonian Magazine describes Anne Bonny and Mary Read as “pirate queens.” As for Mary Read in particular, “She was aggressive and ruthless, always ready for a raid, and swore like a drunken sailor.”
Famous Pirate #8: Anne Bonny
As Read’s fellow pirate queen, Anne Bonny challenged the long-held perception by male pirates that having a woman on the ship would bring them back luck. Unlike Mary Read, Anne didn’t conceal her womanhood (she was, it turns out, in a relationship with Rackham) unless it was time to engage in a battle. When that was the case, Anne Bonny donned a loose tunic, wide trousers, and a small cap. As one of the most famous female pirates in the world, Bonny always fought the good fight with a sword in one hand and a pistol in the other, inciting fear among the sailors whose ships dared to venture near hers.
Famous Pirate #7: Calico Jack
Born John Rackham in Jamaica, Calico Jack is one of the most famous pirates in the world even though, interestingly, he wasn’t considered wealthy or even a particularly skilled fighter. Rather, his notoriety comes from his association with the famous female pirates we mentioned above, his penchant for wearing fashionable calico fabrics, and his creation of a pirate flag that, to this very day, represents naval piracy. Calico Jack’s “Jolly Roger” flag depicts a white human skull with two cutlasses beneath it, and it goes down as the most iconic pirate flag ever created. The flags that pirates flew on their ships were used to intimidate sailors; it signaled that approaching ships should immediately surrender or face an inevitable, brutal attack. The choice was theirs to make . . .
Famous Pirate #6: Sir Henry Morgan
One of the most famous pirates in the world happens to have a rum drink named after him. That pirate is none other than Sir Henry Morgan, who was born in Wales and turned to piracy once he learned that he not only enjoyed engaging in combat on land but also on sea. Sir Henry Morgan had a penchant for raiding towns and ships alike—nothing was off limits for this pirate who sought “booty” (that’s pirate for “treasure”) everywhere he went. Somehow, Sir Henry Morgan managed to not only be knighted by the king but also later became the governor of Jamaica. History.com writes, “Ironically, the Jamaican legislature passed an anti-piracy law during his administration, and Morgan even assisted in pirate prosecution.”
Famous Pirate #5: Captain Kidd
This list of famous pirates would not be complete without William Kidd. Better known as Captain Kidd, he was born in Scotland and began his career not as a pirate but as a privateer! (A privateer is a government-appointed individual who has been commanded to attack enemy ships). He first set sail with the intention to chase down pirates in the Indian Ocean but at some point, he decided that he preferred piracy to privateering. The most famous ship he captured was the Quedagh Merchant, which had been carrying gold, silver, and other valuable treasures. On his journey back to London to advocate for his innocence, Kidd was captured, tried, and executed for piracy. His body was put on display along the River Thames as a warning sign, a way to deter sailors from engaging in acts of piracy—or else.
Famous Pirate #4: Sir Francis Drake
Born in England, Sir Francis Drake appears on our list of famous pirates for a few reasons. First, he was in Queen Elizabeth I’s good graces; she knighted him upon his return to England and is said to have called him “my pirate”; and he circumnavigated the globe, capturing ships and claiming lots of treasures all along the way. Plus, his pirate nickname is quite noteworthy: “El Draque,” which means “The Dragon.”
Famous Pirate #3: Bartholomew Roberts
Like most famous pirates, Bartholomew Roberts is widely recognized by his nickname, “Black Bart.” Black Bart began his career on merchant ships but got promoted rather quickly and, before long, he was captain of his own ship and crew. He captained the Royal Fortune, which was outfitted with dozens of cannons. World History Encyclopedia describes him as “one of the most successful villains of the Golden Age of Piracy. Roberts plundered over 400 ships on both sides of the Atlantic during his infamous three-year career, far more than any other pirate of the period.”
Famous Pirate #2: Ching Shih
Whether you call her Ching Shih, Cheng I Sao, or Zheng Yi Sao, let it be known that she goes down in history as not only one of the most famous female pirates but also one of the most successful. Born in China, Shih became a pirate and worked alongside her husband. Together they formed the largest pirate confederation in history and, after he died, she managed to expand it. Her control of thousands of ships and approximately 70,000 pirates speaks to Ching Shih’s methods of intimidation. She fearlessly attacked ships and kidnapped sailors. It wasn’t until the Chinese authorities began seeking to punish pirates that she halted her career as a pirate, negotiated a pardon, and thought it best to begin running a large opium smuggling operation, which continued until her death in 1844.
Famous Pirate #1: Blackbeard
Have you ever visited Ocracoke Island in North Carolina? This is where Blackbeard’s impressive career as a pirate came to an end. The island, which is part of the state’s Outer Banks region, hosts an event titled Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree every fall to commemorate the most famous pirate in history. Little is known of Blackbeard outside of what was written in a book composed by a fellow pirate publishing under the name Capt. Charles Johnson. The book states that Blackbeard was born Edward Thatch in Bristol, England. He was a formidable, pistol-carrying pirate who is said to have put matches underneath his hat to cloud himself in smoke. The reputation he cultivated made anyone who came into contact with his ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge, fear for their lives. Even the flag he flew, which depicted a heart dripping blood and a skeleton holding an hourglass and spear, was intimidating. Blackbeard’s life ended in November 1718 after he was ambushed by the British Navy under the command of Lt. Robert Maynard, but his legacy endures.
“Aaaarrrrgggghhhh” You Ready to Sail Upon the Sea with Harbor Breeze?
A “landlubber”—or “lubber” for short—is a word pirates often used to describe people who don’t go out to sea, or an individual who is unfamiliar with sailing. At Harbor Breeze Cruises, we welcome people of all ages aboard our eco-friendly catamarans, so whether you’ve joined us for a whale watching cruise in the past or you’ll be embarking upon your first voyage with us, we’re confident you’ll have fun, learn a lot, and be humbled by the marine animals you’re likely to encounter. If you’re interested in purchasing tickets, reserve them online or give us a call at 562-983-6880.