Pirates, Buccaneers and Privateers

Edward "Blackbeard" Teach was cornered in a North Carolina inlet on November 22, 1718 by a force of Royal Navy soldiers and sailors. The legendary pirate was not about to go easily! Read about a legend's final hours and what it took to take him down.

Edward "Blackbeard" Teach was the most famous pirate ever to sail the Caribbean. Because he was so legendary, many myths and tall tales have sprung up over the years about him. Which of the Blackbeard legends are true?

Port Royal is a town on the southern coast of Jamaica. It was originally colonized by the Spanish, but attacked and captured by the English in 1655. Because of its good natural harbor and key position, Port Royal quickly became a major haven for pirates and buccaneers, who were made welcome because of the need for defenders.

In late 1718, Stede Bonnet, the legendary "Gentleman Pirate," was stewing in jail in Charles Town. He wrote an impassioned letter to the governor, begging for his life. Here is the letter, written by one of the leading figures of the "Golden Age of Piracy."

On September 27, 1718, hardened pirates serving under Stede Bonnet fought against two pirate hunter ships under the command of Colonel William Rhett.The pirates were eventually overcome and taken in chains to Charles Town (now Charleston) where all of them, including Bonnet, were hanged.

"Black Bart" Roberts was the most successful pirate of his generation. Here you'll find ten interesting facts about this real-life Pirate of the Caribbean.

During the Golden Age of Piracy (roughly from 1700-1725), dozens of pirates roamed the seas of the world, preying on merchant shipping and coastal towns. Most of these pirates had distinctive flags, or jacks, which identified them to their friends and foes alike.

Captain William Kidd (1654-1701) was a Scottish ship's captain and pirate. After turning himself in and hoping to clear his name, he was tried and hanged for piracy.

Here you will find a list of the most famous pirates from the so-called "Golden Age of Piracy," which lasted roughly from 1710 to 1725.

On a well-run pirate ship, different officers had different duties. Here is a list of the positions and duties on board a typical pirate ship.

Pirates are more popular than ever, appearing in movies, books, songs and more. With the glut of information about pirates, you might think that pirate myths were disappearing, but in fact the opposite is true! Here are ten facts about the pirates of the "Golden Age" of piracy.

Captain Charles Johnson's 1724 classic is called "the pirate bible" and is a must-have for serious pirate historians.

A biography of Blackbeard, the most famous of the pirates, written especially for younger readers.

Most pirates set down a "pirate code:" a set of laws and rules that a pirate crew must obey or face disciplinary action. Not many of these codes have survived to the present day: one that has survived is the code of Captain George Lowther, who was active in piracy from 1721-1723.

We've all heard of the famous pirates of the "Golden Age" of Piracy - Blackbeard, Bart Roberts, "Calico Jack" and others - but these men never would have been pirates without a good ship beneath them. What did pirates look for in a ship, and how did they get them?

During the "Golden Age" of Piracy, pirates had a lot to say...and they said it! Here are some authentic quotes from actual pirates.