Who Was the Last Pirate? A Brief History of Piracy
Piracy is one of the oldest and most fascinating forms of crime in human history. Pirates are often portrayed as adventurous, rebellious, and charismatic outlaws who defy authority and seek fortune and glory on the high seas. But who was the last pirate and when did he die? In this article, we will explore the history of piracy, from its origins to its decline, and learn about some of the most famous pirates and their deeds. We will also answer the question of who was the last pirate and how he met his end.
What is Piracy and How Did It Start?
Piracy is the act of attacking and robbing ships at sea or on the coast, usually for personal gain or political motives. Piracy has been practiced since ancient times, by various peoples and cultures, such as the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Vikings, Arabs, Mongols, Chinese, Japanese, and others. Piracy was often motivated by economic reasons, such as trade disputes, taxation, or smuggling, or by political reasons, such as rebellion, war, or nationalism.
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The Golden Age of Piracy: 1650-1730
The most famous and prolific period of piracy was the Golden Age of Piracy, which spanned from the mid-17th century to the early 18th century. This was a time when European colonial expansion, maritime trade, and naval warfare created favorable conditions for piracy to flourish. Pirates operated in various regions of the world, such as the Caribbean, the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean, and the South China Sea. They preyed on merchant ships, slave ships, treasure fleets, and naval vessels, using fast and maneuverable ships, such as sloops and brigantines. They also established bases and colonies on islands and coasts, such as Tortuga, Port Royal, Nassau, Madagascar, and New Providence. Some pirates even formed alliances and confederations, such as the Flying Gang, the Brethren of the Coast, and the Republic of Pirates.
The Decline of Piracy: 1730-1830
The Golden Age of Piracy came to an end in the early 18th century, due to various factors that reduced the opportunities and incentives for piracy. These factors included:
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The increase of naval patrols and anti-piracy laws by European powers, such as Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, and Holland.
The decline of colonial wars and conflicts that provided cover and support for piracy.
The rise of legitimate trade and commerce that offered alternative sources of income and employment for sailors.
The decrease of pirate morale and cohesion due to internal divisions, betrayals, defections, and executions.
The change of public opinion and perception that viewed pirates as criminals rather than heroes or rebels.
By the late 18th century, piracy was largely suppressed in most parts of the world. However, some pockets of piracy persisted in some regions until the early 19th century. These regions included:
The Mediterranean Sea, where Barbary pirates from North Africa continued to raid European ships until they were defeated by US and European forces in the Barbary Wars (1801-1815).
The Gulf of Mexico and the West Indies, where pirates from various backgrounds continued to operate until they were hunted down by US naval forces in the West Indies Anti-Piracy Operations (1817-1825).
The Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, where pirates from India, China, and Southeast Asia continued to raid ships until they were subdued by British and Dutch forces in the Anglo-Chinese Piracy Wars (1810-1849).
The Modern Era of Piracy: 1830-Present
After the 19th century, piracy became a rare and isolated phenomenon in most parts of the world. However, some cases of piracy still occurred in some regions, especially in times of political instability, economic hardship, or social unrest. Some examples of modern piracy include:
The Cilician pirates from Turkey, who raided ships in the Mediterranean Sea until they were crushed by the Ottoman Empire in the 1860s.
The Rum Runners from the US and Canada, who smuggled alcohol during the Prohibition era (1920-1933).
The Sea Peoples from Somalia, who attacked ships in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean since the 1990s.
The Niger Delta pirates from Nigeria, who targeted oil tankers and vessels in the Gulf of Guinea since the 2000s.
The Strait of Malacca pirates from Indonesia and Malaysia, who ambushed ships in the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea since the 2000s.
According to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), there were 195 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships worldwide in 2020, a 20% increase from 2019. The most affected regions were the Gulf of Guinea, the Gulf of Aden, and the South China Sea.
Who Were the Most Famous Pirates and What Did They Do?
Throughout history, there have been many pirates who have left their mark on history with their deeds, exploits, and legends. Some of them are remembered as villains, some as heroes, and some as both. Here are some of the most famous pirates and what they did:
Blackbeard: The Terror of the Caribbean
Blackbeard, whose real name was Edward Teach or Thatch, was an English pirate who operated in the Caribbean and the Atlantic coast of North America from 1716 to 1718. He was known for his fearsome appearance, as he wore a long black beard that he braided with ribbons and lit with fuses. He also carried a large number of weapons, such as pistols, swords, daggers, and axes. He commanded a fleet of four ships and about 300 men, and his flagship was the Queen Anne's Revenge, a former French slave ship that he captured and modified. He terrorized merchant ships and coastal towns, demanding tribute or ransom for his captives. He also fought against British naval forces, such as Lieutenant Robert Maynard, who eventually killed him in a fierce battle near Ocracoke Island in North Carolina in 1718. His severed head was hung from Maynard's ship as a trophy.
Anne Bonny and Mary Read: The Female Pirates
Anne Bonny and Mary Read were two female pirates who operated in the Caribbean in the early 18th century. They were both born in England, but had different backgrounds and life stories. Anne Bonny was the illegitimate daughter of a lawyer and his maid, who ran away with her lover James Bonny to Nassau in the Bahamas. There she met and married John "Calico Jack" Rackham, a notorious pirate captain. She joined his crew and became his partner in crime. Mary Read was disguised as a boy by her mother since childhood, to inherit her deceased brother's property. She served as a soldier and a sailor in various wars and voyages, until she was captured by Rackham's crew and revealed her true identity. She befriended Anne Bonny and became her ally. Both women were skilled fighters and sailors, who participated in many raids and battles alongside Rackham's crew. They were captured by British authorities in 1720, after a naval attack near Jamaica. They claimed to be pregnant to avoid execution, but only Mary Read died in prison due to fever. Anne Bonny's fate is unknown.
Bartholomew Roberts: The Most Successful Pirate
Bartholomew Roberts, also known as Black Bart or Barty Roberts, was a Welsh pirate who operated in the Atlantic Ocean from 1719 to 1722. He was considered to be the most successful pirate of all time, as he captured over 400 ships and amassed a fortune of over 50 million (equivalent to over $7 billion today). He was also known for his strict code of conduct and his elegant attire, as he wore a crimson coat, a gold chain, and a feathered hat. He started his pirate career as a third mate on a slave ship, but was captured by pirate captain Howell Davis in 1719. He joined his crew and became his protégé, until Davis was killed by Portuguese soldiers in Principe Island. Roberts was then elected as the new captain by the crew, and vowed to avenge Davis's death. He sailed across the Atlantic, raiding ships and ports from Brazil to Newfoundland, from Africa to the Caribbean. He was famous for his daring attacks, such as the sack of Trepassey in Newfoundland, where he captured 22 ships in one day, or the raid of Portobelo in Panama, where he held the town for ransom. He was also known for his clever escapes, such as the battle of Cape Lopez in Gabon, where he outwitted two British warships with a decoy ship. He was finally killed by a British naval officer named Chaloner Ogle in 1722, near Cape Coast Castle in Ghana. His body was thrown overboard by his crew, according to his wishes.
Henry Every: The King of Pirates
Henry Every, also known as John Avery or Long Ben, was an English pirate who operated in the Indian Ocean from 1694 to 1696. He was considered to be the most notorious pirate of his time, as he pulled off one of the greatest heists in history, and became the first pirate to retire with his loot. He started his pirate career as a first mate on a Spanish warship, but led a mutiny against the captain in 1694. He renamed the ship as the Fancy, and sailed to the Indian Ocean, where he joined forces with other pirates, such as Thomas Tew and William Mayes. He attacked several ships and ports along the coast of Africa and Arabia, but his most famous exploit was the capture of the Ganj-i-Sawai, a Mughal treasure ship that belonged to Emperor Aurangzeb. The ship carried an estimated 600,000 (equivalent to over $90 million today) worth of gold, silver, jewels, and other valuables. Every and his crew plundered the ship and tortured and killed its passengers and crew, including women and children. The attack caused a diplomatic crisis between Britain and India, and sparked a massive manhunt for Every and his men. Every managed to evade capture and returned to Britain in 1696, where he bribed some officials and disappeared with his share of the loot. His fate is unknown.
Who Was the Last Pirate and When Did He Die?
The question of who was the last pirate and when did he die is not easy to answer, as different regions and countries had different definitions and laws regarding piracy. However, some possible candidates for the last pirate are:
Charles Gibbs: The Last Pirate Executed in the US
Charles Gibbs, whose real name was James Jeffers or James Darcy, was an American pirate who operated in the Atlantic Ocean from 1821 to 1831. He was born in Rhode Island in 1798, and served as a sailor in the US Navy during the War of 1812. He later became a pirate and joined various crews, such as those of Benito de Soto and Pedro Gilbert. He participated in several raids and murders along the coast of South America, Africa, and North America. He was captured by US authorities in 1831, after he confessed his crimes to a newspaper reporter in New York. He was tried and convicted of piracy and murder, along with his accomplice Thomas Wansley. They were both hanged on Ellis Island in 1831.
Nathaniel Gordon: The Last Slave Trader Executed in the US
Nathaniel Gordon was an American slave trader who operated in the Atlantic Ocean from 1858 to 1860. He was born in Maine in 1826, and became a merchant captain who engaged in illegal slave trade between Africa and Cuba. He made several voyages across the Atlantic, transporting hundreds of enslaved Africans under horrific conditions. He was captured by US authorities in 1860, after he attempted to smuggle 897 slaves on board his ship Erie. He was tried and convicted of piracy and slave trade under the Piracy Law of 1820, which made slave trade punishable by death. He was hanged at The Tombs prison in New York in 1862.
Benito de Soto: The Last Pirate Executed in Europe
Benito de Soto was a Spanish pirate who operated in the Atlantic Ocean from 1827 to 1830. He was born in Galicia in 1805, and became a pirate after he joined the crew of the Defensor de Pedro, a Uruguayan privateer ship that mutinied against its captain in 1827. He renamed the ship as the Burla Negra, and sailed to the Atlantic, raiding ships and ports from Brazil to Africa. He was notorious for his cruelty and violence, as he tortured and killed his victims, and burned and sank his prizes. He was famous for his attack on the Morning Star, a British merchant ship that he plundered and massacred in 1828. He was captured by Portuguese authorities in 1830, after he was betrayed by some of his crew members. He was tried and convicted of piracy and murder, and was executed by garrote in Cadiz in 1830.
Conclusion
Piracy is a fascinating topic that has captivated the imagination of many people for centuries. Pirates have been portrayed as both villains and heroes, as both criminals and rebels, as both outlaws and legends. However, piracy is also a brutal and bloody reality that has caused much suffering and damage to many people and nations. Piracy has been practiced since ancient times, but it reached its peak during the Golden Age of Piracy, when pirates ruled the seas and challenged the empires. Piracy declined in the 18th and 19th centuries, due to various factors that made it harder and less profitable. Piracy still exists today, but it is a rare and isolated phenomenon that is mostly confined to some regions of the world. The question of who was the last pirate and when did he die is not easy to answer, as different regions and countries had different definitions and laws regarding piracy. However, some possible candidates for the last pirate are Charles Gibbs, Nathaniel Gordon, and Benito de Soto, who were executed in the US and Europe in the early 19th century.
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between piracy and privateering?
A: Piracy is the act of attacking and robbing ships at sea or on the coast without any legal authorization or commission. Privateering is the act of attacking and robbing enemy ships at sea or on the coast with a legal authorization or commission from a government or a ruler.
Q: What are some of the common symbols and terms associated with piracy?
A: Some of the common symbols and terms associated with piracy are:
The Jolly Roger: The black flag with a skull and crossbones or other designs that pirates used to identify themselves and intimidate their enemies.
The Pirate Code: The set of rules and regulations that pirates agreed to follow among themselves, such as sharing the loot, electing the captain, settling disputes, etc.
The Letter of Marque: The document that granted a privateer the legal right to attack and capture enemy ships on behalf of a government or a ruler.
The Black Spot: The mark that pirates used to signify a death threat or a vote of no confidence against someone.
The Walking the Plank: The punishment that pirates used to force someone to walk off a plank into the sea, usually to their death.
Q: What are some of the benefits and drawbacks of being a pirate?
A: Some of the benefits of being a pirate are:
The freedom to travel and explore different places and cultures.
The thrill and excitement of adventure and danger.
The opportunity to gain wealth and fame.
The camaraderie and loyalty among fellow pirates.
Some of the drawbacks of being a pirate are:
The risk of injury, disease, or death.
The constant threat of capture, torture, or execution.
The lack of security and stability.
The moral dilemma of harming innocent people.
Q: How can piracy be prevented or reduced?
A: Some of the possible ways to prevent or reduce piracy are:
Increasing naval patrols and security measures in high-risk areas.
Improving international cooperation and coordination among different countries and organizations.
Enforcing strict laws and sanctions against piracy and its supporters.
Addressing the root causes of piracy, such as poverty, inequality, corruption, conflict, etc.
Q: Where can I learn more about piracy?
A: Some of the sources where you can learn more about piracy are:
[The History of Pirates]: A book by Angus Konstam that provides an overview of piracy from ancient times to modern times A book by Angus Konstam that provides an overview of piracy from ancient times to modern times, with illustrations, maps, and biographies of famous pirates. You can find it here: [The History of Pirates](^1^).
[Under the Black Flag]: A book by David Cordingly that explores the reality and the myths of piracy, with anecdotes, stories, and facts about pirate life, culture, and history. You can find it here: [Under the Black Flag](^2^).
[Myth-busting pirate history]: A web article by BBC Bitesize that debunks some of the common misconceptions and stereotypes about pirates, such as their appearance, their language, their treasure, and their code of honor. You can find it here: [Myth-busting pirate history](^3^).
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned something new about piracy. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. Thank you for your attention and have a great day! 44f88ac181
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