Edward Teach (1680-1718)
At the mention of the word “pirates”, the plots of the trilogy about Jack Sparrow or the heroes of the book “Treasure Island”, read in childhood, immediately pop up in my memory. Naval battles, dangers, treasures, rum and adventures... Over the centuries, legends about sea corsairs or filibusters have gradually grown into a mystery, and now it is impossible to understand where is fiction and where is the truth. But, of course, there is some truth in these legends! We will tell about the most famous pirates in history.
Edward Teach (1680-1718)
One of the most famous corsairs in the history of piracy is Edward Teach, who bore the nickname "Blackbeard". He was born in Bristol in 1680. His real name is John. Teach became the prototype of the pirate Flint in Stevenson's Treasure Island. Because of the beard that covered almost the entire face, his appearance was terrifying and there were legends about him as a terrible villain. Teach died on November 22, 1718 in a fight with Lieutenant Maynard. Upon hearing of the death of this terrible man, the whole world breathed a sigh of relief.
Henry Morgan (1635-1688)
Henry Morgan (1635-1688)
The English navigator, Vice-Governor of Jamaica Sir Henry Morgan, nicknamed "Cruel" or "Pirate Admiral", was considered at one time a very famous pirate. He became famous for being one of the authors of the Pirate Code. Morgan was not only a successful corsair, but also a cunning politician and an intelligent military leader. It was with his help that England was able to control the entire Caribbean Sea. Morgan's life, full of the delights of a pirate craft, flew by at a frantic pace. He lived to old age and died in Jamaica on August 25, 1688 from cirrhosis of the liver. He was buried as a nobleman, but soon the cemetery where he was buried was washed away by a wave.
William Kidd (1645-1701)
William Kidd (1645-1701)
This is a pirate - a legend, more than one century has passed since his death, but the glory of him lives to this day. His piracy activity fell on the 17th century. He was known as a despot and a sadist, but became famous throughout the world as a smart robber. Kidd was quite a famous person, his name was known even in the British Parliament. There is evidence that he was rich, but no one knows where his treasures are hidden. The treasure hidden by Kidd is still being sought, but there is no result yet.
Francis Drake (1540-1596)
Francis Drake (1540-1596)
The famous pirate of the XVI century Francis Drake was born in 1540 in England in the county of Devonshire, in the family of a poor village priest. Drake was the eldest of his parents' twelve children. He received navigational skills while serving as a cabin boy on a small merchant ship. The glory of a very cruel person, who was favored by fortune, went about him. We must pay tribute to Drake's curiosity, he visited many places where no human foot had set foot. Thanks to this, he made many discoveries and corrections on the world maps of his time. The crowning glory of Captain Francis Drake came at the end of the 16th century, but on one of his trips to the shores of America, he fell ill with tropical fever and soon died.
Bartholomew Roberts (1682-1722)
Bartholomew Roberts (1682-1722)
Captain Bartholomew Roberts is an unusual pirate. He was born in 1682. Roberts was the most successful pirate of his time, always well and tastefully dressed, with excellent manners, he did not drink alcohol, read the Bible and fought without removing the cross from his neck, which greatly surprised his fellow corsairs. The stubborn and brave young man, who stepped on the slippery path of sea adventures and robberies, became a fairly famous personality of that time in a short four-year career as a filibuster. Roberts died in a fierce battle and was buried, in accordance with his will, at sea.
Sam Bellamy (1689-1717)
Sam Bellamy (1689-1717)
Love led Sam Bellamy to the path of sea robbery. Twenty-year-old Sam fell in love with Maria Hallet, the love was mutual, but the girl's parents did not give her in marriage to Sam. He was poor. And in order to prove to the whole world the right to the hand of Maria Bellamy to become a filibuster. He went down in history as "Black Sam". He got his nickname because he preferred his unruly black hair to a powdered wig, tying it, put it in a knot. At its core, Captain Bellamy was known as a noble man; on his ships, black pirates served along with white pirates, which was simply unthinkable in the era of slavery. The ship on which he sailed to meet his beloved Mary Hallet, got into a storm and sank. Black Sam died without leaving the captain's bridge.
Aruj Barbarossa (1473-1518)
Aruj Barbarossa (1473-1518)
Aruj Barbarossa - a Turkish pirate, had power among the corsairs, had great power over them. He was a cruel and ruthless man who was very fond of executions and bullying. He was born into the family of a potter. Participated in many naval battles, in one of them, fighting heroically along with his devoted team, he died.
William Dampier (1651-1715)
William Dampier (1651-1715)
And among the marine filibusters - robbers, there were exceptions. An example of this is William Dampier, in his person the world has lost a researcher and discoverer. He never took part in pirate revels, and all his free time conducted in the study and description of his observations of sea currents in the ocean and the direction of the winds. One gets the impression that he became a robber solely in order to have the means and the opportunity to do what he loves. From the age of seventeen, Dampier served on an English sailing ship. And in 1679, already twenty-seven years old, he joined the Caribbean pirates and soon became a filibuster captain.
Grace O'Mile (1530 - 1603)
Grace O'Mile (1530 - 1603)
Grace O'Mile is a lady of fortune. This fearless pirate woman could give odds to any man. Her adventures are a whole adventure novel! From a young age, Grace, along with her father and his friends, took part in the attack on merchant ships that passed off the coast Ireland.After the death of her father, she won the right to be the leader of the Owen clan in battle.Beautiful Grace, with flowing hair and sabers in her hands, terrified enemies, while arousing admiration in the eyes of her associates.Such a troubled pirate life did not interfere with this brave girl love and be loved, she had four children from two marriages.Grace did not leave her craft, and, already at an advanced age, continued to make raids.She was honored with the attention of the queen and received an offer from her to serve, but the proud and freedom-loving Grace refused, for that she was arrested.
Stories about pirates excited the imagination as far back as the 19th century, but now, thanks to the Pirates of the Caribbean series of Hollywood films, this topic has become even more popular. We invite you to "get acquainted" with the most famous of the real-life pirates.
10 PHOTOS
1. Henry Avery (1659-1699).
The pirate, known by the nickname "Lanky Ben", grew up in the family of the captain of the English fleet. When a riot broke out on the ship where he served as first mate, Everett joined the rebels and became their leader. His most famous trophy was the Indian ship "Gang-i-Sawai", loaded with gold and silver coins, as well as precious stones.
2. Anne Bonny (1700-1782). Anne Bonnie, one of the few women who excelled in piracy, grew up in a wealthy mansion and received a good education. However, when her father decided to marry her off, she ran away from home with a simple sailor. Some time later, Ann Bonnie met the pirate Jack Rackham and he took her on his ship. According to eyewitnesses, in courage and ability to fight, Bonnie was not inferior to male pirates.
3. Francois Holone (1630-1671). The French filibuster, known for his cruelty, began his career as a soldier in the West India Company. He then became a buccaneer in Saint Domingo. Ohlone's most famous operations were the capture of the Spanish cities of Maracaibo and Gibraltar. The pirate ended his warlike and bloody path at the stake of cannibals, to whom he was captured in Nicaragua.
4. Edward Lau (1690-1724). Edward Lau was born into a family of thieves and was himself a robber with early childhood. At one time he served as a sailor, then gathered a team and captured a small sloop. Thus began his career as a pirate. During his voyage, Edward Lau captured more than a hundred ships.
5. Jack Rackham (1682-1720) Before becoming a pirate, Jack Rackham served in the Navy from an early age. At first, things did not go well for Captain Rackham and his team - they almost got caught several times. Fame came to the pirate after he met Mary Read and Ann Bonnie, and began to rob in the waters of Jamaica. The glorious epic ended with the fact that the authorities announced a hunt for them, as a result of which Rackham was hanged, and Reed died in prison.
6. Steed Bonnet (1688-1718). Steed Bonnet - a nobleman, before becoming a pirate, he served as a colonial militia major on the island of Barbados. According to rumors, the reason why Bonnet went to the pirates was the scandalous nature of his wife. The pirate robbed along the coasts of North America and in the south for a long time, until he attracted the attention of the authorities, who sent two sloops to the pirate's place of residence. Bonnet's ship was captured and hanged at White Point.
7. Bartholomew Roberts (1682-1722) Bartholomew Roberts did not become a pirate by choice, but was forcibly added to the crew as a navigator after the pirates seized the ship he was sailing on. After becoming a captain after only six weeks, Roberts successfully traded in the Caribbean and the Atlantic, capturing more than four hundred ships.
8. Henry Morgan (1635-1688) The son of a landowner, Henry Morgan consciously chose to become a pirate in order to make a fortune. Starting with the purchase of one ship, he soon commanded an entire flotilla of 12 pirate ships who took over entire cities. He was caught and sent to London, but soon the influential pirate was not only released, but also appointed lieutenant governor of Jamaica.
9. William Kidd (1645-1701) According to some historians, William Kidd was not a pirate in the strict sense of the word, but carried out exclusively letters of marque. Kidd participated in the War of the League of Augsburg, commanded various capital ships and captured French and pirate ships in the Indian Ocean. His further expeditions took place in various regions of the world. Most of all, Kidd became famous after his death, in connection with the legends about the treasures hidden by him, which have not been found so far.
10. Edward Teach (1680-1718). The famous English pirate Edward Teach, nicknamed "Blackbeard", began his piracy career under the command of Captain Hornigold. Later, when Hornigold surrendered to the British authorities, Teach set sail on his own on the ship Queen Anne's Revenge. The most famous "feat" of the pirate is the blockade of Charlestown, during which 9 ships with influential passengers were captured, for which Teach received a huge ransom.
Pirates, "gentlemen of fortune" at all times terrified the population of coastal cities. They were feared, raided, executed, but interest in their adventures never weakened.
Madame Jin is the wife of her son
Madame Jing, or Zheng Shi, was the most famous "sea robber" of her time. An army of pirates under her command terrified the coastal cities of East and Southeast China in early XIX in. Under its command there were about 2,000 ships and 70,000 people, who could not even be defeated by the large fleet of the Qing emperor Jia-qing (1760-1820), sent in 1807 to defeat the masterful pirates and capture the powerful Jin.
Zheng Shi's youth was unenviable - she had to engage in prostitution: she was ready to sell her body for hard cash. At the age of fifteen, she was kidnapped by a pirate named Zheng Yi, who, like a real gentleman, took her as his wife (after marriage, she received the name Zheng Shi, which means "Zheng's wife"). After the wedding, they went to the shores of Vietnam, where the newly-married couple and their pirates, having attacked one of the coastal villages, kidnapped a boy (the same age as Zheng Shi) - Zhang Baozai, whom Zheng Yi and Zheng Shi adopted, since the latter could not have children. Zhang Baozai became Zheng Yi's lover, which, apparently, did not bother the young wife at all. When her husband died in a storm in 1807, Madame Jin inherited a fleet of 400 ships. With her, there was iron discipline in the flotilla, nobility was not alien to her, if this quality can even be correlated with piracy. Madame Jin put the guilty to death for plundering fishing villages and raping captive women. For unauthorized absence from the ship, the guilty person was cut off his left ear, which was then presented to the entire team for intimidation.
Zheng Shi married her stepson, placing her in command of her fleet. But not everyone in Madame Jin's team was satisfied with the woman's power (especially after the unsuccessful attempt of two captains to woo her, one of whom Zheng Shi shot dead). The dissatisfied revolted and surrendered to the mercy of the authorities. This undermined the authority of Madame Jin, which forced her to negotiate with the representatives of the emperor. As a result, under the agreement of 1810, she went over to the side of the authorities, and her husband received a sinecure (a position that did not give any real powers) in the Chinese government. Retiring from piracy, Madame Zheng settled in Guangzhou, where she maintained a brothel and gambling den until her death at the age of 60.
Aruj Barbarossa - Sultan of Algeria
This pirate, who terrified the cities and villages of the Mediterranean, was a cunning and dodgy warrior. He was born in 1473 in the family of a Greek potter who converted to Islam, and from a young age, together with his brother Atzor, began to engage in piracy. Aruj passed through captivity and slavery on galleys belonging to the Ionite knights, from which his brother ransomed him. The time spent in slavery embittered Aruj, the ships belonging to the Christian kings, he plundered with particular cruelty. So in 1504, Aruj attacked galleys loaded with valuable cargo, which belonged to Pope Julius II. He managed to capture one of the two galleys, the second tried to flee. Arunj went to the trick: he ordered some of his sailors to put on the uniform of soldiers from the captured galley. Then the pirates went to the galley and took their own ship in tow, thus simulating the complete victory of the papal soldiers. Soon a lagging galley appeared. The sight of a pirate ship in tow caused a surge of enthusiasm among the Christians, and the ship approached the side of the "trophy" without any fear. At this moment, Aruj gave a sign, after which the pirate team began to kill the fugitives with cruelty. This event greatly increased Uruj's prestige among the Muslim Arabs of North Africa.
In 1516, in the wake of the Arab uprising against the Spanish troops settled in Algeria, Aruj proclaimed himself a sultan under the name of Barbarossa (Red-bearded), after which he began to rob the cities of southern Spain, France, Italy with even greater zeal and cruelty, accumulating enormous wealth. Against him, the Spaniards sent a large expeditionary force (about 10,000 people), led by the Marquis de Comares. He managed to defeat the army of Aruj, and the latter began to retreat, taking with him the accumulated wealth over the years. And, as the legend says, along the entire retreat, Aruj, in order to delay the pursuers, scattered silver and gold. But this did not help, and Aruj died, he was cut off his head along with the pirates loyal to him.
Forced to be a man
One of the famous pirates who lived at the turn of the 17th-18th centuries, Mary Reed, was forced to hide her gender all her life. Even in childhood, her parents prepared her fate - to "take the place" of her brother, who died shortly before Mary was born. She was an illegitimate child. To hide the shame, the mother, having given birth to a girl, gave her to her rich mother-in-law, dressing her daughter in advance in the clothes of her dead son. Mary was a "grandchild" in the eyes of her unsuspecting grandmother, and all the while the girl was growing up, her mother dressed and raised her like a boy. At the age of 15, Mary went to Flanders and entered infantry regiment as a cadet (still disguised as a man, under the name Mark). According to the memoirs of contemporaries, she was a brave fighter, but still could not advance in the service and joined the cavalry. There, the floor took its toll - Mary met a man with whom she fell passionately in love. Only she revealed to him that she was a woman, and soon they got married. After the wedding, they rented a house near the castle in Breda (Holland) and equipped the Three Horseshoes tavern there.
But fate was not favorable, soon Mary's husband died, and she, again disguised as a man, went to the West Indies. The ship on which she sailed was captured by English pirates. Here a fateful meeting took place: she met the famous pirate Ann Bonnie (the same as she, a woman dressed as a man) and her lover John Rackham. Mary joined them. Moreover, she, along with Ann, began to cohabit with Rackham, forming a bizarre "love triangle". The personal courage and courage of this trio made them famous throughout Europe.
Learned Pirate
William Dampier, who was born into an ordinary peasant family and lost his parents early, had to make his own way in life. He began by becoming a cabin boy on a ship, then he took up fishing. A special place in his work was occupied by a passion for research: he studied new lands, to which fate threw him, their flora, fauna, climatic features, participated in an expedition to explore the coast of New Holland (Australia), discovered a group of islands - the Dampira archipelago. In 1703 he went to the Pacific Ocean on a pirate hunt. On the island of Juan Fernandez, Dampier (according to another version, Stradling, the captain of another ship) landed the sailing master (according to another version of the boatswain) Alexander Selkirk. The story of Selkirk's stay on a desert island formed the basis of the famous book by Daniel Defoe "Robinson Crusoe".
Bald Greine
Grace O'Malle or, as she was also called, Bald Greine, is one of the controversial figures in English history. She was always ready to defend her rights, no matter what. She got acquainted with navigation thanks to her father, who took his little daughter on long-distance trading voyages. Her first husband was a match for Grace. About the clan O "Flagerty, to which he belonged, they said:" Cruel people who most arrogantly rob and kill their fellow citizens. slain, Grace returned to her family and took charge of her father's fleet, thus wielding a truly formidable force with which to keep the entire West Coast of Ireland in check.
Grace allowed herself to lead so freely, even in the presence of the Queen. After all, she was also called the "queen", only the pirate one. When Elizabeth I handed her lace handkerchief to Grace for her to wipe her nose after sniffing tobacco, Grace, using it, said: “Do you need it? In my area they are not used more than once!” - and threw a handkerchief to the retinue. According to historical sources, two longtime opponents - and Grace managed to send a dozen English ships - were able to agree. The queen granted the pirate, who at that time was already about 60 years old, forgiveness and immunity.
black beard
Thanks to his courage and cruelty, Edward Teach became one of the most feared pirates operating in the Jamaica area. By 1718, more than 300 men were fighting under him. The enemies were horrified by Tich's face, almost completely covered with a black beard, in which the wicks woven into it smoked. In November 1718, Teach was overtaken by the English lieutenant Maynardt and, after a short trial, was hung up on a yardarm. It was he who became the prototype of the legendary Jetrow Flint, from Treasure Island.
Pirate President
Murat Reis Jr., whose real name is Jan Janson (Dutch), converted to Islam in order to avoid captivity and slavery in Algeria. After that, he began to cooperate and actively participate in the pirate raids of such pirates as Suleiman Reis and Simon the Dancer, also, like him, the Dutch who converted to Islam. Jan Janson in 1619 moved to the Moroccan city of Sale, which lived off piracy. Shortly after Janson's arrival there, he declared his independence. A pirate republic was created there, the first head of which was Janson. He married in Sale, his children followed in the footsteps of their father, becoming pirates, but then joined the Dutch colonists who founded the city of New Amsterdam (now New York).
The peak of maritime robberies came in the 17th century, when the World Ocean was the scene of a struggle between Spain, England and some other European colonial powers gaining momentum. Most often, pirates made their living by independent criminal robberies, but some of them ended up on public service and purposefully harmed the foreign fleet. Below is a list of the ten most famous pirates in history.
William Kidd (January 22, 1645 – May 23, 1701) was a Scottish sailor who was convicted and executed for piracy after returning from a voyage to the Indian Ocean where he was supposed to hunt pirates. It is considered one of the most cruel and bloodthirsty sea robbers of the seventeenth century. The hero of many mysterious stories. Some modern historians, such as Sir Cornelius Neil Dalton, consider his pirate reputation to be unfair.
Bartholomew Roberts (May 17, 1682 - February 17, 1722) was a Welsh pirate who robbed about 200 ships (according to another version, 400 ships) in the vicinity of Barbados and Martinique in two and a half years. Known primarily as the opposite traditional image pirate. He was always well dressed, had refined manners, hated drunkenness and gambling, and treated well the crew of the ships he captured. He was killed by cannon shot during a battle with a British warship.
Blackbeard or Edward Teach (1680 - November 22, 1718) - an English pirate who hunted in the Caribbean in 1716-1718. He liked to strike terror into his enemies. During the battle, Tich weaved incendiary wicks into his beard and in clouds of smoke, like Satan from hell, burst into the ranks of the enemy. Due to his unusual appearance and eccentric behavior, history has made him one of the most famous pirates, despite the fact that his "career" was rather short, and his success and scale of activity were much smaller compared to his other colleagues from this list.
Jack Rackham (December 21, 1682 - November 17, 1720) was an English pirate who became famous primarily for the fact that his team included two more equally famous corsairs, female pirates Anne Bonnie, nicknamed the "mistress of the seas" and Mary Read.
Charles Vane (1680 – 29 March 1721) was an English pirate who robbed ships between 1716 and 1721 in the waters North America. Notorious for his extreme cruelty. As the story goes, Wayne was not attached to such feelings as compassion, pity and sympathy, he easily broke his own promises, did not respect other pirates and did not at all consider anyone's opinion. The meaning of his life was only prey.
Edward England (1685 - 1721) - a pirate active off the coast of Africa and in the waters indian ocean from 1717 to 1720. He differed from other pirates of that time in that he did not kill prisoners, unless absolutely necessary. This eventually led his crew to mutiny when he refused to kill sailors from yet another captured English merchant ship. Subsequently, England was landed in Madagascar, where he survived for some time by begging, and eventually died.
Samuel Bellamy, nicknamed Black Sam (February 23, 1689 - April 26, 1717) - the great English sailor and pirate who hunted in early XVII I century. Although his career spanned just over a year, he and his crew captured at least 53 ships, making Black Sam the richest pirate in history. Bellamy was also known for his mercy and generosity towards those he captured in his raids.
Saida al-Hurra (1485 - circa 14 July 1561) - last queen of Tetouan (Morocco) who ruled between 1512–1542, pirate In alliance with the Ottoman corsair Aruj Barbarossa of Algiers, al-Hura controlled the Mediterranean. She became famous for her fight against the Portuguese. It is rightfully considered one of the most prominent women of the Islamic west of the modern era. The date and exact circumstances of her death are unknown.
Thomas Tew (1649 - September 1695) was an English privateer and pirate who made only two major piracy voyages, later known as the Pirate's Circle. He was killed in 1695 while trying to rob the Mughal ship Fateh Muhammad.
Steed Bonnet (1688 - December 10, 1718) - an outstanding English pirate, nicknamed "pirate gentleman". Interestingly, before Bonnet turned to piracy, he was a fairly wealthy, educated and respected man who owned a plantation in Barbados.
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All pirate ships, regardless of size and origin, met certain requirements to one degree or another. First of all, a pirate ship had to have sufficient seaworthiness, as it often had to endure storms in the open ocean.
A little about the ships!
The so-called "golden age of piracy" (1690-1730) is marked by particular piracy activity in the Caribbean, the Atlantic coast of North America, the west coast of Africa and the Indian Ocean. The first two of these areas are famous for frequent hurricanes, the season of which lasts from June to November, reaching a peak in August-September. At the beginning of the 17th century, sailors were already well aware of the existence of the hurricane season in the Atlantic and that these hurricanes originate off the West African coast. Navigators have learned to predict the approaching hurricane. Knowing that a storm was coming, the ship's captain might try to get away from it or find shelter. Winds blowing at over 150 km/h caused catastrophic damage to the coast and sank ships for centuries. For pirates, who had no access to most ports, storms were a particular threat. Their ships had to be especially stable and withstand any storm. Required attributes a pirate ship was a set of storm sails, a strong hull, reliable pumps for pumping water from the hold and an experienced crew. For pirates, hurricanes had and positive side, since they damaged other ships, making them defenseless. Pirate Henry Jennings began his career plundering Spanish galleons washed ashore by the hurricane of 1715. In the Indian Ocean, no less dangerous were tropical cyclones, which in the western part Pacific Ocean known as typhoons. In the northern Indian Ocean, tropical cyclones rage from May to November, while further south the cyclone season is from December to March. Meteorologists average 85 hurricanes, typhoons and tropical cyclones per year. Apparently, during the years of the "golden age of piracy" this number was about the same. Hurricanes and typhoons are dangerous even for modern ships. How dangerous they were for sailing "vessels", deprived of the opportunity to receive a storm warning by radio! Add to this the constant risk of Atlantic storms and unrest in the area of the Cape of Good Hope ... Interestingly, in those days, transatlantic crossings (and circumnavigations!) were often made by sloops and even smaller vessels, which today are used only for coastal fishing (meaning vessels of the same size). For example, Bartholomew Roberts crossed the Atlantic several times, and also walked along the coast of the New World from Brazil to Newfoundland. The load on the wooden hull of a vessel during a long voyage is compatible with the short-term load during a storm. The problem is further aggravated by the constant fouling of the bottom with algae and shells, which seriously worsen driving performance vessel. A heavily overgrown sailing ship cannot reach a speed of more than three or four knots. Therefore, it is very important to periodically clean the bottom of the ship. But if the military and merchants had shipyards in port cities at their disposal, then the pirates had to clean the bottom of their ships secretly, hiding in secluded bays and river mouths. Cleaning the bottom (creeling, keeling) of a small ship (sloop or brig) usually took a week. Larger ships required proportionally more time for this operation. During the cruising, the ship was vulnerable to attack, and attacks on pirate ships in a similar position are known. The ship is also threatened by woodworms. The waters of the Caribbean Sea are the most infested with woodworms, so wooden ships sailing in this region deteriorate faster than others. The Spaniards adhered to the rule that a ship making regular voyages to the Caribbean Sea could not last more than ten years, even if measures were taken to protect the hull. It should be noted that the problem of the durability of the ship never arose before the pirates, because even the most successful of them, like Bartholomew Roberts, rarely acted for more than two years. Large ships were better suited for sailing across the Atlantic, but required more time for cruising. It is much easier to clean the bottom of a small ship. Small ships have a shallow draft, which allows them to navigate more confidently in coastal waters, as well as swim in estuaries, sandbanks and inland waters. In 1715, Governor of New York Hunter wrote the following lines to London: "The coast is teeming with privateers, who, taking advantage of the opportunity to sail on oars in shallow water, leave His Majesty's ships." The governor demanded at his disposal a flotilla of sloops capable of fighting pirates in the shallow waters of Long Island and the mouth of the Hudson.
Another mandatory requirement for a pirate ship was high speed. Exists mathematical formula, which determines the relationship between the size of the ship, the shape of the hull and the number of sails that the ship can carry. In theory, big ship can carry more sails, but its hull also has more displacement. A large sail area has a positive effect on speed, while a large displacement, on the contrary, limits it. Smaller craft such as the brigantine have little windage, but the ratio of sail area to displacement is greater than that of square-rigged ships, giving them a speed advantage. Small narrow and shallow-draft vessels, such as sloops and schooners, have improved hydrodynamics, which also increases their speed. Although the speed is determined by a complex equation of the third degree, the main reasons that determine it are well known. Pirate ships were generally faster than straight-rigged merchant ships. Pirates valued certain types of ships precisely for their speed. So, single-masted sloops built in Jamaica or Bermuda were especially popular among pirates.
The speed of the ship is also affected by factors that are difficult to mathematically express. We have already talked about the fouling of the bottom. Pirates needed to regularly keel their ships, as every extra knot of speed was important to them. Certain types of ships sailed better in certain winds. For example, ships with gaff sails could steer steeper to the wind than ships with square sails, a latin sail is especially good in a side wind, but helps little in a fair one. But the most important thing was the experience of the captain and the qualifications of the team. Experienced sailors can squeeze out an extra knot of speed by knowing the characteristics of their ship. Other things being equal, an experienced crew will definitely outplay the enemy. When in 1718 the ships of the Royal Navy set off towards the Bahamas to intercept Charles Vane, the pirate, thanks to his skill and the qualities of the ship, was able to break away from his pursuers. According to one of the English officers, Vane did two feet when the royal ships did one. Finally, adequate armament was important for a pirate ship. The more guns the ship carries, the greater its displacement, the lower the speed. For a successful pirate, getting cannons was not a problem. They could be found on any ship boarded. Pirates avoided solving a naval battle with an artillery duel, as they did not want to damage the hull of the trophy. However, it is surprising to learn that the pirates tried to arm their ships as much as possible, sometimes turning them into real floating batteries. All this was done exclusively in case of a meeting with warships. Large ships can carry more guns and provide a more comfortable fighting platform. We will tell you more about the armament of pirate ships below. Now we just note that the pirates found a balance between weapons, speed and seaworthiness of their ships in different ways. While some preferred small, fast sloops with a minimum of armament, others strove to acquire large ships capable of carrying impressive artillery and sailing weapons.
Bartholomew Roberts (1682-1722).
This pirate was one of the most successful and successful in history. It is believed that Roberts was able to capture more than four hundred ships. At the same time, the cost of the pirate's extraction amounted to more than 50 million pounds. And the pirate achieved such results in just two and a half years. Bartholomew was an unusual pirate - he was enlightened and loved to dress fashionably. Roberts was often seen in a burgundy waistcoat and breeches, he wore a hat with a red plume, and a gold chain with a diamond cross hung on his chest. The pirate did not abuse alcohol at all, as was customary in this environment. Moreover, he even punished his sailors for drunkenness. We can say that it was Bartholomew, who was nicknamed "Black Bart" and was the most successful pirate in history. In addition, unlike Henry Morgan, he never cooperated with the authorities. And the famous pirate was born in South Wales. His maritime career began as third mate on a slave ship. Roberts' duties included looking after the "cargo" and its safety. However, after being captured by pirates, the sailor himself was in the role of a slave. Nevertheless, the young European was able to please the captain Howell Davis, who captured him, and he accepted him into his crew. And in June 1719, after the death of the leader of the gang during the storming of the fort, it was Roberts who led the team. He immediately captured the ill-fated city of Principe on the coast of Guinea and razed it to the face of the earth. After going to sea, the pirate quickly captured several merchant ships. However, booty off the African coast was scarce, which is why in early 1720 Roberts headed for the Caribbean. The glory of a successful pirate overtook him, and merchant ships already shied away at the sight of Black Bart's ship. In the north, Roberts sold African goods profitably. All summer of 1720 he was lucky - the pirate captured many ships, 22 of them right in the bays. However, even while engaged in robbery, Black Bart remained a pious person. He even managed to pray a lot in between murders and robberies. But it was this pirate who came up with a cruel execution with the help of a board thrown over the side of the ship. The team loved their captain so much that they were ready to follow him to the ends of the world. And the explanation was simple - Roberts was desperately lucky. AT different time he managed from 7 to 20 pirate ships. The teams included fugitive criminals and slaves of various nationalities, calling themselves the "House of Lords". And the name of Black Bart inspired terror throughout the Atlantic.
Henry Morgan (1635-1688)
Henry Morgan became the most famous pirate in the world, enjoying a kind of fame. This man became famous not so much for his corsair exploits as for his activities as a commander and politician. Morgan's main merit was the help of England in seizing control over the entire Caribbean Sea. Ever since childhood, Henry was a fidget, which affected his adult life. In a short time, he managed to be a slave, collect his own gang of thugs and get his first ship. Along the way, many people were robbed. Being in the service of the queen, Morgan directed his energy to the ruin of the Spanish colonies, he did it perfectly. As a result, everyone learned the name of the active sailor. But then the pirate suddenly decided to settle down - he got married, bought a house ... However, a violent temper took its toll, besides, at his leisure, Henry realized that it was much more profitable to capture coastal cities than just rob sea vessels. Once Morgan used a tricky move. On the approach to one of the cities, he took a large ship and stuffed it to the top with gunpowder, sending it to the Spanish port at dusk. A huge explosion led to such turmoil that there was simply no one to defend the city. So the city was taken, and the local fleet was destroyed, thanks to Morgan's cunning. Storming Panama, the commander decided to attack the city from land, sending the army around the city. As a result, the maneuver was a success, the fortress fell. Last years Morgan spent his life as Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica. His whole life was spent at a frantic pirate pace, with all the charms appropriate to the occupation in the form of alcohol. Only rum defeated the brave sailor - he died of cirrhosis of the liver and was buried as a nobleman. True, the sea took his ashes - the cemetery plunged into the sea after the earthquake.
Francis Drake (1540-1596)
Francis Drake was born in England, the son of a priest. The young man began his maritime career as a cabin boy on a small merchant ship. It was there that the smart and observant Francis learned the art of navigation. Already at the age of 18, he received command of his own ship, which he inherited from the old captain. In those days, the queen blessed the pirate raids, so long as they were directed against the enemies of England. During one of these voyages, Drake fell into a trap, but, despite the death of 5 other English ships, he managed to save his ship. The pirate quickly became famous for his cruelty, and fortune fell in love with him. Trying to take revenge on the Spaniards, Drake begins to wage his own war against them - he robs their ships and cities. In 1572, he managed to capture the "Silver Caravan", carrying more than 30 tons of silver, which immediately made the pirate rich. An interesting feature of Drake was the fact that he not only sought to loot more, but also to visit previously unknown places. As a result, many sailors were filled with gratitude to Drake for his work in clarifying and correcting the map of the world. With the permission of the queen, the pirate went on a secret expedition to South America, with official version Australian research. The expedition was a great success. Drake maneuvered so cleverly, avoiding the traps of enemies, that he managed to trip around the world on the way home. Along the way, he attacked the Spanish settlements in South America, circled Africa and brought home potato tubers. The total profit from the campaign was unprecedented - more than half a million pounds. Then it was twice the budget of the whole country. As a result, right on board the ship, Drake was knighted - an unprecedented case, which has no analogues in history. The apogee of the pirate's greatness came at the end of the 16th century, when he took part as an admiral in the defeat of the Invincible Armada. In the future, luck turned away from the pirate, during one of the subsequent voyages to the American shores, he fell ill with dengue fever and died.
Edward Teach (1680-1718)
Edward Teach is better known by his nickname Blackbeard. It was because of this external attribute that Tich was considered a terrible monster. The first mention of the activities of this corsair refers only to 1717, what the Englishman did before that remained unknown. By indirect evidence, one can guess that he was a soldier, but deserted and became a filibuster. Then he was already pirating, terrifying people with his beard, which covered almost the entire face. Tich was very brave and courageous, which earned him the respect of other pirates. He wove wicks into his beard, which, smoking, terrified opponents. In 1716, Edward was given command of his sloop to conduct privateer operations against the French. Teach soon captured a larger ship and made it his flagship, renaming it Queen Anne's Revenge. The pirate at this time operates in the Jamaica region, robbing everyone in a row and gaining new henchmen. By the beginning of 1718, there were already 300 people under the command of Tich. In a year, he managed to capture more than 40 ships. All the pirates knew that a bearded man was on one of uninhabited islands hides the treasure, but no one has found out exactly where. The atrocities of the pirate against the British and the robbery of the colonies forced the authorities to declare a hunt for Blackbeard. An impressive reward was announced and Lieutenant Maynard was hired to track down Teach. In November 1718, the pirate was overtaken by the authorities and was killed during the battle. Teach's head was chopped off, and the body was hung on a yardarm.
William Kidd (1645-1701).
William Kidd Born in Scotland near the docks, the future pirate from childhood decided to link his fate with the sea. In 1688, Kidd, being a simple sailor, survived a shipwreck near Haiti and was forced to become a pirate. In 1689, having betrayed his associates, William took possession of the frigate, calling it "Blessed William". With the help of a letter of marque, Kidd took part in the war against the French. In the winter of 1690, part of the team left him, and Kidd decided to settle down. He married a wealthy widow, taking possession of land and property. But the heart of a pirate demanded adventure, and now, after 5 years, he is already a captain again. The powerful frigate "Brave" was intended to rob, but only the French. After all, the expedition was sponsored by the state, which did not need unnecessary political scandals. However, the sailors, seeing the scarcity of profits, periodically revolted. The capture of a rich ship with French goods did not save the situation. Fleeing from his former subordinates, Kidd surrendered into the hands of the British authorities. The pirate was taken to London, where he quickly became a bargaining chip in the struggle of political parties. On charges of piracy and the murder of a ship's officer (who was the instigator of the mutiny), Kidd was sentenced to death. In 1701, the pirate was hanged, and his body hung in an iron cage over the Thames for 23 years, as a warning to the corsairs of imminent punishment.
Mary Read (1685-1721).
Mary Reed has been dressed as a boy since childhood. So the mother tried to hide the death of her son who died early. At the age of 15, Mary went to serve in the army. In the battles in Flanders, under the name Mark, she showed miracles of courage, but she did not wait for promotion. Then the woman decided to join the cavalry, where she fell in love with her colleague. After the end of hostilities, the couple got married. However, the happiness did not last long, her husband died unexpectedly, Mary, dressed in men's clothes, became a sailor. The ship fell into the hands of pirates, the woman was forced to join them, cohabiting with the captain. In battle, Mary wore a male uniform, participating in skirmishes on an equal basis with everyone else. Over time, the woman fell in love with an artisan who helped a pirate. They even got married and were going to end the past. But even here the happiness did not last long. Pregnant Reid was caught by the authorities. When she was caught along with other pirates, she said that she was committing robberies against her will. However, other pirates showed that there was no one more determined than Mary Read in the matter of robbing ships and boarding. The court did not dare to hang a pregnant woman, she patiently waited for her fate in a Jamaican prison, not being afraid of a shameful death. But a high fever killed her first.
Bonnie Ann (1690 -?)
Bonnie Ann is one of the most famous female pirates. Born in Ireland in the family of a wealthy lawyer William Cormac. She spent her childhood in South Carolina, where her family moved when Ann's father bought a plantation. Pretty early she married a simple sailor James Bonnie with whom she fled in search of adventure. Then Anne Bonnie contacted the famous pirate Jack Rackham. She began to sail on his ship and participate in pirate raids. During one of these raids, Anne met Mary Reed. , after which they continued to engage in sea robbery together. It is not known exactly how many lives the spoiled daughter of the ex-lawyer ruined, but in 1720 the pirate ship was ambushed, after which the gallows awaited all the robbers. However, by that time, Ann was already pregnant, the intervention of rich daddy came in handy, so that in the end the pirate managed to avoid the well-deserved gallows and even go free. Then all traces of it are lost. In general, the example of Ann Bonnie is interesting, as a rare case in those days when a woman took on a purely masculine craft.
Zheng Shi (1785-1844)
Zheng Shi (1785-1844) is considered one of the most successful pirates. The facts that she commanded a fleet of 2000 ships, on which more than 70 thousand sailors served, will tell about the scale of her actions. 16-year-old prostitute "Madame Jing" married famous pirate Zheng Yi. After his death in 1807, the widow inherited a pirate fleet of 400 ships. Corsairs not only attacked merchant ships off the coast of China, but also swam deep into the mouths of the rivers, devastating coastal settlements. The emperor was so surprised by the actions of the pirates that he sent his fleet against them, but this did not have significant consequences. The key to Zheng Shi's success was the strict discipline she established on the courts. She put an end to traditional pirate freedoms - plundering allies and raping prisoners were punished death penalty. However, as a result of the betrayal of one of her captains, a female pirate in 1810 was forced to conclude a truce with the authorities. Her further career was held as the owner of a brothel and a gambling den. The story of a pirate woman is reflected in literature and cinema, there are many legends about her.
William Dampier (1651-1715)
William Dampier is often referred to not just as a pirate, but also as a scientist. After all, he made as many as three round-the-world voyages, discovering many islands in the Pacific Ocean. Orphaned early, William chose the sea path. At first he took part in trading voyages, and then he managed to make war. In 1674, an Englishman came to Jamaica as a trading agent, but his career in this capacity did not work out, and Dampier was forced to become a sailor of a merchant ship again. After exploring the Caribbean, William settled on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, on the Yucatan coast. Here he found friends in the form of runaway slaves and filibusters. Dampier's later life took place in the idea of traveling around Central America, pillaging Spanish settlements on land and at sea. He sailed in the waters of Chile, Panama, New Spain. Dampier began to keep notes of his adventures almost immediately. As a result, in 1697, his book "A New Journey Around the World" was published, which made him famous. Dampier became a member of the most prestigious houses in London, entered royal service and continued his research by writing new book. However, in 1703, on an English ship, Dampier continued a series of robberies of Spanish ships and settlements in the Panama region. In 1708-1710, he took part as a navigator of a corsair round-the-world expedition. The works of the pirate scientist turned out to be so valuable for science that he is considered to be one of the fathers of modern oceanography.
Edward Lau (1690-1724)
Edward Lau is also known as Ned Lau. For most of his life, this man traded in petty theft. In 1719, his wife died in childbirth, and Edward realized that from now on nothing ties him to the house. After 2 years, he became a pirate operating around the Azores, New England and the Caribbean. This time is considered the end of the age of piracy, but Lau became famous for the fact that in a short time he managed to capture more than a hundred ships, while showing a rare bloodthirstiness.
Aruj Barbarossa (1473-1518)
Aruj Barbarossa (1473-1518) became a pirate at the age of 16 after the Turks captured his home island of Lesvos. Already at the age of 20, Barbarossa became a merciless and brave corsair. Having escaped from captivity, he soon seized a ship for himself, becoming the leader. Aruj entered into an agreement with the Tunisian authorities, who allowed him to organize a base on one of the islands in exchange for a share of the booty. As a result, the pirate fleet of Arouge terrorized all Mediterranean ports. Having got involved in politics, Arouj eventually became the ruler of Algeria under the name of Barbarossa. However, the fight against the Spaniards did not bring good luck to the Sultan - he was killed. His work was continued by his younger brother, known as Barbaross II.
Jack Rackham (1682-1720).
Jack Rackham and this famous pirate was nicknamed Calico Jack. The fact is that he loved to wear Calico pants, which were brought from India. And although this pirate was not the most cruel or the most successful, he managed to become famous. The fact is that Rackham's team had two women dressed in men's clothes at once - Mary Reed and Ann Boni. Both of them were mistresses of a pirate. Thanks to this fact, as well as the courage and courage of his ladies, the Rackham team also became famous. But luck changed him when in 1720 his ship met with the ship of the governor of Jamaica. At that time, the entire crew of pirates was dead drunk. To get away from persecution, Rackham ordered to cut the anchor. However, the military were able to catch up with him and take him after a short fight. The captain of the pirates, along with his entire crew, was hanged in Jamaica, in Port Royal. Just before his death, Rackham asked for a meeting with Ann Boni. But she herself refused him this, saying that if the pirate had fought like a man, he would not have died like a dog. It is said that John Rackham is the author of the famous pirate symbol - the skull and crossbones, the "Jolly Roger". Jean Lafitte (? -1826). This famous corsair was also a smuggler. With the tacit consent of the government of the young American state, he calmly robbed the ships of England and Spain in the Gulf of Mexico. The heyday of the activity of the pirate fell on the 1810s. It is not known where and when exactly Jean Lafitte was born. It is possible that he was a native of Haiti and was a secret Spanish agent. It was said that Lafitte knew the coast of the bay better than many cartographers. It was known for sure that he sold the stolen goods through his brother, a merchant who lived in New Orleans. Lafitte illegally supplied slaves to southern states, but thanks to their guns and people, the Americans were able to defeat the British in 1815 in the battle for New Orleans. In 1817, under pressure from the authorities, the pirate settled on the Texas island of Galveston, where he even founded his own state of Campeche. Lafitte continued to supply slaves as well, using intermediaries for this. But in 1821, one of his captains personally attacked a plantation in Louisiana. And although Lafitte was ordered by an insolent man, the authorities ordered him to sink his ships and leave the island. The pirate has only two ships left from the once entire fleet. Then Lafitte with a group of his followers settled on the island of Isla Mujeres off the coast of Mexico. But even then, he did not attack American ships. And after 1826, there is no information about the valiant pirate. In Louisiana itself, there are still legends about Captain Lafitte. And in the city of Lake Charles, "smugglers' days" are even held in his memory. Even a nature reserve near the coast of Barataria is named after the pirate. And in 1958, Hollywood even released a film about Lafitte, played by Yul Brynner.
Thomas Cavendish (1560-1592).
Thomas Cavendish (1560-1592). Pirates not only robbed ships, but were also brave travelers, discovering new lands. In particular, Cavendish was the third sailor who decided to travel around the world. His youth was spent in the English fleet. Thomas led such a turbulent life that he quickly lost all his inheritance. And in 1585, he left the service and went for his share of the booty to rich America. He returned home rich. Easy money and the help of fortune forced Cavendish to choose the path of a pirate to gain fame and fortune. On July 22, 1586, Thomas sailed from Plymouth to Sierra Leone at the head of his own flotilla. The expedition aimed to find new islands, to study winds and currents. However, this did not prevent them from engaging in parallel and outright robbery. At the very first stop in Sierra Leone, Cavendish, along with his 70 sailors, robbed the local settlements. A good start allowed the captain to dream of future exploits. January 7, 1587 Cavendish passed through the Strait of Magellan, and then went north along the coast of Chile. Before him, only one European traveled this way - Francis Drake. The Spaniards controlled this part of the Pacific Ocean, generally calling it the Spanish Lake. The rumor of English pirates forced the garrisons to gather. But the Englishman's flotilla was worn out - Thomas found a quiet bay for repairs. The Spaniards, however, did not wait, finding the pirates during the raid. However, the British not only repulsed the attack of superior forces, but also put them to flight and immediately robbed several neighboring settlements. Two ships have gone on. On June 12, they reached the equator and until November the pirates waited for the "treasury" ship with all the proceeds of the Mexican colonies. Persistence was rewarded, and the British captured a lot of gold and jewelry. However, when dividing the booty, the pirates quarreled, and Cavendish was left with one ship. With him he went to the west, where he obtained a load of spices by robbery. On September 9, 1588, Cavendish's ship returned to Plymouth. The pirate not only became one of the first to commit circumnavigation, but also did it very quickly - in 2 years and 50 days. In addition, 50 people of his team returned with the captain. This record was so significant that it lasted more than two centuries.
Olivier (Francois) le Vasseur 1690-1730.
Olivier (Francois) le Vasseur became the most famous French pirate. He bore the nickname "La blues", or "buzzard". A Norman nobleman of noble origin was able to turn the island of Tortuga (now Haiti) into an impregnable fortress of filibusters. Initially, Le Vasseur was sent to the island to protect the French settlers, but he quickly drove the British out of there (according to other sources - the Spaniards) and began to pursue his own policy. Being a talented engineer, the Frenchman designed a well-fortified fortress. Le Vasseur issued filibuster very dubious documents for the right to hunt the Spaniards, taking the lion's share of the booty for himself. In fact, he became the leader of the pirates, without taking a direct part in the hostilities. When in 1643 the Spaniards failed to take the island, having discovered fortifications with surprise, the authority of le Wasser grew noticeably. He finally refused to obey the French and pay deductions to the crown. However, the spoiled character, tyranny and tyranny of the Frenchman led to the fact that in 1652 he was killed by his own friends. According to legend, Le Wasser collected and hid the largest treasure of all time, worth 235 million pounds in today's money. Information about the location of the treasure was kept in the form of a cryptogram around the governor's neck, but the gold was never found.
