Edward Teach (1680-1718)

When you mention the word “pirates”, the plots of the trilogy about Jack Sparrow or the heroes of the book “Treasure Island”, read in childhood, immediately come to mind. Sea battles, dangers, treasures, rum and adventures... Over the centuries, legends about sea corsairs or filibusters have gradually become overgrown with mystery, and now it is no longer possible to understand where is fiction and where is the truth. But, undoubtedly, there is some truth in these legends! We will tell you 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 for the pirate Flint in Stevenson's novel Treasure Island. Because of his beard, which covered almost his entire face, his appearance was terrifying and legends circulated about him as a terrible villain. Teach died on November 22, 1718 in a battle 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, Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica Sir Henry Morgan, nicknamed “The Cruel” or “Pirate Admiral,” was considered a very famous pirate in his time. 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 the 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 pirate is a legend; more than a century has passed since his death, but his fame lives on to this day. His pirate activity dates back to the 17th century. He was known as a despot and a sadist, but became famous throughout the world as a clever robber. Kidd was quite a famous person; his name was known even in the British Parliament. There is information that he was rich, but no one knows where his treasures are hidden. They are still looking for the treasure hidden by Kidd, but there is no result yet.

Francis Drake (1540-1596)

Francis Drake (1540-1596)

The famous pirate of the 16th 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 twelve children of his parents. He acquired navigational skills while serving as a cabin boy on a small merchant ship. He was reputed to be a very cruel man, to whom fortune favored. We must pay tribute to Drake's curiosity; he visited many places where no man had gone before. Thanks to this, he made many discoveries and corrections on the world maps of his time. Captain Francis Drake's crowning glory came at the end of the 16th century, but during 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 no ordinary 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. A stubborn and brave young man who set foot on the slippery path of sea adventures and robberies, during his short four-year career as a filibuster, he became quite a famous person of that time. 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 Hallett, the love was mutual, but the girl’s parents did not let her marry Sam. He was poor. And in order to prove to the whole world the right to the hand of Maria Bellamy, she becomes 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 in a knot. At his core, Captain Bellamy was known as a noble man; dark-skinned people served on his ships along with white pirates, which was simply unthinkable in the era of slavery. The ship on which he sailed to meet his beloved Maria Hallett was caught in a storm and sank. Black Sam died without leaving the captain's bridge.

Arouj Barbarossa (1473-1518)

Arouj Barbarossa (1473-1518)

Arouj Barbarossa was a Turkish pirate who was powerful among the corsairs and had great power over them. He was a cruel and ruthless man who was very fond of executions and bullying. He was born into a family of a potter. He took part in many naval battles, and in one of them, heroically fighting along with his devoted crew, he died.

William Dampier (1651-1715)

William Dampier (1651-1715)

And among the sea filibusters - robbers, there were exceptions. An example of this is William Dampier, in his person the world has lost an explorer and discoverer. He never took part in pirate feasts, but spent all his free time studying and describing 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 opportunity to do what he loved. 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'Male (1530 - 1603)

Grace O'Male (1530 - 1603)

Grace O'Male is the lady of fortune. This fearless woman - a pirate could give a head start to any man. Her adventures are a whole adventurous novel! Grace from a young age, together 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, in battle she won the right to be the leader of the Owen clan. Beautiful Grace, with flowing hair and sabers in her hands, terrified her enemies, while causing admiration in the eyes of her companions. Such a turbulent pirate life did not interfere with this brave girl. to love and be loved, she had four children from two marriages. Grace did not leave her craft, and even at an advanced age she continued to make raids. She was awarded the attention of the queen and received an offer from her to serve, but the proud and freedom-loving Grace refused. that she was arrested.

Pirates are sea (or river) robbers. The word "pirate" (lat. pirata) comes, in turn, from the Greek. πειρατής, cognate with the word πειράω (“try, test”). Thus, the meaning of the word would be "trying one's luck." Etymology shows how precarious the boundary between the professions of navigator and pirate was from the very beginning.

Henry Morgan (1635-1688) became the most famous pirate in the world, enjoying a peculiar fame. This man became famous not so much for his corsair exploits as for his activities as a commander and politician. Morgan's main achievement was helping England seize control of the entire Caribbean Sea. Since childhood, Henry was restless, which affected his adult life. In a short time, he managed to be a slave, gather his own gang of thugs and get his first ship. Along the way, many people were robbed. While in the queen's service, Morgan directed his energy to the ruin of the Spanish colonies, which he did very well. As a result, everyone learned the name of the active sailor. But then the pirate unexpectedly decided to settle down - he got married, bought a house... However, his violent temper took its toll, and in his spare time, Henry realized that it was much more profitable to capture coastal cities than simply rob sea ships. One day Morgan used a cunning move. On the way to one of the cities, he took a large ship and filled it to the top with gunpowder, sending it to the Spanish port at dusk. The 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. While storming Panama, the commander decided to attack the city from land, sending his army around the city. As a result, the maneuver was a success and the fortress fell. Morgan spent the last years of his life as Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica. His whole life passed at a frantic pirate pace, with all the delights 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 sank into the sea after the earthquake.

Francis Drake (1540-1596) 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 pirate raids, as 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 also loved him. Trying to take revenge on the Spaniards, Drake begins to wage his own war against them - he plunders 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 grateful to Drake for his work in clarifying and correcting the world map. With the permission of the queen, the pirate went on a secret expedition to South America, with the official version of the exploration of Australia. The expedition was a great success. Drake maneuvered so cunningly, avoiding the traps of his enemies, that he was able to travel around the world on his way home. Along the way, he attacked Spanish settlements in South America, circumnavigated Africa and brought home potato tubers. The total profit from the campaign was unprecedented - more than half a million pounds sterling. At that time it was twice the budget of the entire country. As a result, right on board the ship, Drake was knighted - an unprecedented event that 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. Later, the pirate’s luck ran out; during one of his subsequent voyages to the American shores, he fell ill with tropical fever and died.

Edward Teach (1680-1718) is better known by his nickname Blackbeard. It was because of this external attribute that Teach was considered a terrible monster. The first mention of the activities of this corsair dates back only to 1717; what the Englishman did before that remains unknown. Based on indirect evidence, one can guess that he was a soldier, but deserted and became a filibuster. Then he was already a pirate, terrifying people with his beard, which covered almost his entire face. Teach was very brave and courageous, which earned him respect from other pirates. He wove wicks into his beard, which, when smoking, terrified his opponents. In 1716, Edward was given command of his sloop to conduct privateering operations against the French. Soon Teach captured a larger ship and made it his flagship, renaming it Queen Anne's Revenge. At this time, the pirate operates in the Jamaica area, robbing everyone and recruiting new henchmen. By the beginning of 1718, Tich already had 300 people under his command. Within a year, he managed to capture more than 40 ships. All the pirates knew that the bearded man was hiding treasure on some uninhabited island, but no one knew where exactly. The pirate's outrages against the British and his plunder of the colonies forced the authorities to announce a hunt for Blackbeard. A massive reward was announced and Lieutenant Maynard was hired to hunt down Teach. In November 1718, the pirate was overtaken by the authorities and killed during the battle. Teach's head was cut off and his body was suspended from a yardarm.

William Kidd (1645-1701). Born in Scotland near the docks, the future pirate decided to connect his destiny with the sea from childhood. In 1688, Kidd, a simple sailor, survived a shipwreck near Haiti and was forced to become a pirate. In 1689, betraying his comrades, William took possession of the frigate, calling it the Blessed William. With the help of a privateering patent, 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 rich widow, taking possession of lands and property. But the pirate’s heart demanded adventure, and now, 5 years later, he is already a captain again. The powerful frigate "Brave" was designed 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 meager profits, periodically rebelled. 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 English 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). From childhood, girls were dressed in boy's clothes. So the mother tried to hide the death of her early deceased son. At age 15, Mary joined the army. In the battles in Flanders, under the name Mark, she showed miracles of courage, but she never received any advancement. 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 clothing, became a sailor. The ship fell into the hands of pirates, and the woman was forced to join them, cohabiting with the captain. In battle, Mary wore a man's uniform, participating in skirmishes along with everyone else. Over time, the woman fell in love with a craftsman who helped the pirates. They even got married and were going to put an end to the past. But even here the happiness did not last long. Pregnant Reed was caught by authorities. When she was caught along with other pirates, she said that she committed the robberies against her will. However, other pirates showed that there was no one more determined than Mary Read in the matter of plundering and boarding ships. The court did not dare to hang the pregnant woman; she patiently awaited her fate in a Jamaican prison, not fearing a shameful death. But a strong fever finished her off early.

Olivier (Francois) le Vasseur became the most famous French pirate. He was nicknamed "La Blues", or "the 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 expelled the British from 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 a filibuster with very dubious documents for the right to hunt the Spaniards, taking the lion's share of the spoils for himself. In fact, he became the leader of the pirates, without taking direct part in the hostilities. When the Spaniards failed to take the island in 1643, and were surprised to find fortifications, Le Vasseur's authority grew noticeably. He finally refused to obey the French and pay royalties to the crown. However, the deteriorating 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 Vasseur collected and hid the largest treasure of all time, worth £235 million in today's money. Information about the location of the treasure was kept in the form of a cryptogram on the governor's neck, but the gold remained undiscovered.

William Dampier (1651-1715) is often called not just a pirate, but also a scientist. After all, he completed three voyages around the world, discovering many islands in the Pacific Ocean. Having been orphaned early, William chose the sea path. At first he took part in trade voyages, and then he managed to fight. In 1674, the Englishman came to Jamaica as a trading agent, but his career in this capacity did not work out, and Dampier was forced to again become a sailor on a merchant ship. After exploring the Caribbean, William settled on the Gulf Coast, on the Yucatan coast. Here he found friends in the form of runaway slaves and filibusters. Dampier's further life revolved around the idea of ​​traveling around Central America, plundering Spanish settlements on land and sea. He sailed in the waters of Chile, Panama, and New Spain. Dhampir almost immediately began keeping notes about his adventures. As a result, his book “A New Voyage Around the World” was published in 1697, which made him famous. Dampier became a member of the most prestigious houses in London, entered the royal service and continued his research, writing a 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 expedition around the world. 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.

Zheng Shi (1785-1844) is considered one of the most successful pirates. The scale of her actions will be indicated by the facts that she commanded a fleet of 2,000 ships, on which more than 70 thousand sailors served. The 16-year-old prostitute "Madame Jing" married the 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 sailed deep into river mouths, ravaging 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. It put an end to traditional pirate freedoms - robbery of allies and rape of prisoners was punishable by death. However, as a result of the betrayal of one of her captains, the female pirate in 1810 was forced to conclude a truce with the authorities. Her further career took place as the owner of a brothel and a gambling den. The story of a female pirate is reflected in literature and cinema; there are many legends about her.

Edward Lau (1690-1724) also known as Ned Lau. For most of his life, this man lived in petty theft. In 1719, his wife died in childbirth, and Edward realized that from now on nothing would tie him to home. After 2 years, he became a pirate operating near 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 rare bloodthirstiness.

Arouge Barbarossa(1473-1518) became a pirate at age 16 after the Turks captured his home island of Lesbos. Already at the age of 20, Barbarossa became a merciless and brave corsair. Having escaped from captivity, he soon captured a ship for himself, becoming the leader. Arouj entered into an agreement with the Tunisian authorities, who allowed him to set up a base on one of the islands in exchange for a share of the spoils. As a result, Urouge's pirate fleet terrorized all Mediterranean ports. Getting involved in politics, Arouj eventually became the ruler of Algeria under the name of Barbarossa. However, the fight against the Spaniards did not bring success to the Sultan - he was killed. His work was continued by his younger brother, known as Barbaross the Second.

Bartholomew Roberts(1682-1722). This pirate was one of the most successful and fortunate 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 production amounted to more than 50 million pounds sterling. 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 vest and breeches, he wore a hat with a red feather, and on his chest hung a gold chain with a diamond cross. 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”, who was the most successful pirate in history. Moreover, unlike Henry Morgan, he never cooperated with the authorities. And the famous pirate was born in South Wales. His maritime career began as a third mate on a slave trading ship. Roberts' responsibilities included supervising 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 ground. After going to sea, the pirate quickly captured several merchant ships. However, production off the African coast was scarce, which is why Roberts headed to the Caribbean in early 1720. The glory of the successful pirate overtook him, and merchant ships were already shying away at the sight of Black Bart's ship. In the north, Roberts sold African goods profitably. Throughout the 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 devout man. He even managed to pray a lot in between murders and robberies. But it was this pirate who came up with the idea of ​​a cruel execution using 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 earth. And the explanation was simple - Roberts was desperately lucky. At different times he managed from 7 to 20 pirate ships. The teams included escaped criminals and slaves of many different nationalities, calling themselves the "House of Lords". And the name of Black Bart inspired terror throughout the Atlantic.

Jack Rackham (1682-1720). And this famous pirate had the nickname 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 luckiest, he managed to become famous. The fact is that Rackham’s team included two women dressed in men’s clothing - Mary Read and Anne Boni. Both of them were the pirate's mistresses. Thanks to this fact, as well as the courage and courage of his ladies, Rackham's team became famous. But his luck changed when in 1720 his ship met the ship of the governor of Jamaica. At that time, the entire crew of pirates was dead drunk. To escape pursuit, Rackham ordered the anchor to be cut. However, the military were able to catch up with him and take him after a short fight. The pirate captain and his entire crew were hanged in Port Royal, Jamaica. Just before his death, Rackham asked to see Anne Bonney. 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 pirate activity occurred in the 1810s. It is unknown 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 Gulf coast 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. The Lafittes illegally supplied slaves to the southern states, but thanks to their guns and men, the Americans were able to defeat the British in 1815 at the Battle of 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, Campeche. Lafitte continued to supply slaves, using intermediaries. But in 1821, one of his captains personally attacked a plantation in Louisiana. And although Lafitte was ordered to be insolent, the authorities ordered him to sink his ships and leave the island. The pirate has only two ships left from what was once a whole fleet. Then Lafitte and 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 memory of him. A nature reserve near the coast of Barataria is even named after the pirate. And in 1958, Hollywood even released a film about Lafitte, he was played by Yul Brynner.

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 hectic life that he quickly lost all his inheritance. And in 1585, he left the service and went to rich America for his share of the spoils. He returned to his homeland 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 headed his own flotilla from Plymouth to Sierra Leone. The expedition aimed to find new islands and study winds and currents. However, this did not stop them from engaging in parallel and outright robbery. At the first stop in Sierra Leone, Cavendish, along with his 70 sailors, plundered local settlements. A successful start allowed the captain to dream of future exploits. On January 7, 1587, Cavendish passed through the Strait of Magellan and then headed north along the coast of Chile. Before him, only one European passed this way - Francis Drake. The Spanish controlled this part of the Pacific Ocean, generally calling it 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 did not wait, having found the pirates during the raid. However, the British not only repelled the attack of superior forces, but also put them to flight and immediately plundered several neighboring settlements. Two ships went further. On June 12, they reached the equator and until November the pirates waited for a “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 spoils, the pirates quarreled, and Cavendish was left with only one ship. With him he went to the west, where he obtained a cargo of spices by robbery. On September 9, 1588, Cavendish's ship returned to Plymouth. The pirate not only became one of the first to circumnavigate the world, but also did it very quickly - in 2 years and 50 days. In addition, 50 of his crew returned with the captain. This record was so significant that it lasted for more than two centuries.

Incredible facts

Blackbeard

Edward Teach, known as Blackbeard, established a reign of terror in the Caribbean that lasted from 1716 to 1718.

The sailor began his career as a privateer, fighting for England during the War of the Spanish Succession, honing his skills as a sea raider before turning to piracy.

A fierce fighter, Blackbeard was known both for his distinctive style of capturing ships and for his enormous mane of hair.

Anne Bonny

The most famous female pirate in history was just as fearsome as her male counterparts, and she was also very smart and educated.

The daughter of a plantation owner, Anne left her comfortable life in the early 1700s to sail the seas.

She joined the crew of Jack Rackham's ship Calico Jack Rackham, disguised as a man, but according to legend she was spared the death penalty after the crew was captured because she was pregnant.

Captain Samuel Bellamy

Although he died at a very young age (he was only 28 years old), "Black Sam" made a name for himself after capturing several ships, including the Whydah Gally, a ship that was full of gold, silver and other valuable goods. Bellamy made this ship his own in 1717, but it was also the one on which he sank during a storm that same year.

Ching Shih

The golden age of piracy did not spare China, and women on board or even at the helm were not uncommon.

From 1801, her “career” developed very rapidly, and she became one of the most powerful female captains, and, in the end, the commander of a fleet of 2,000 ships and 70,000 sailors.

It is believed that the key to the Jin's success was the iron discipline that reigned on its courts.

Bartholomew Roberts

"Black" Bart Roberts was one of the most successful pirates of the Golden Age, patrolling the waters off the coasts of Africa and the Caribbean.

In less than four years, he captured 400 ships.

Bart was very cold-blooded and rarely left anyone alive on captured ships, so he was actively sought by the British authorities. He died at sea.

Captain Kidd

Pirate or privateer? Scottish sailor William Kidd is known for his high-profile legal battles with the British government regarding its brutal crimes and pirate attacks.

However, the veracity of this claim is still disputed. According to some modern historians, Kidd acted in accordance with the marque patent issued to him and did not attack allied ships.

However, he was hanged in 1701. Rumors about the whereabouts of the huge treasures hidden by him still excite the minds of many adventure lovers.

Henry Morgan

So popular that he had a rum named after him, Captain Morgan first served as a privateer in the Caribbean, then became a pirate, and famously wreaked havoc on the golden Spanish colony of Panama City in the mid-1600s.

He is also known as one of the few pirates who managed to "retire".

Calico Jack

"Pioneer of the Jolly Roger Flag" Calico Jack Rackham was a pirate of the Caribbean who had several epic names, but is best known for his association with Anne Bonny, as well as his classic pirate death.

Captured in Jamaica in 1720, Rackham was hanged, doused in tar and set on fire to show what would happen to every pirate. Now the place where this event took place is called Kay Rackham.

Sir Francis Drake

Noble to some and criminal to others, Drake spent his time between the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 and his circumnavigation of the world actively involved in piracy and the slave trade in the Caribbean.

The conquests he carried out, especially the attacks on the Spanish colonies in Central America, were considered some of the richest in terms of loot in the history of piracy.

Barbarossa brothers

Names like Aru and Khizir may not sound familiar, but the nickname given to Turkish corsairs by Europeans - Barbarossa (red beard) - probably conjures up images of tough, rugged sailors on the Mediterranean.

In the 16th century, using North Africa as a base, the Barbarossa brothers attacked several coastal cities and became some of the most powerful people in the area.

Stories about pirates excited the imagination back in the 19th century, but now, thanks to the series of Hollywood films “Pirates of the Caribbean”, this topic has become even more popular. We invite you to “get acquainted” with the most famous real-life pirates.

10 PHOTOS

1. Henry Every (1659-1699).

The pirate, known by the nickname "Long Ben", grew up in the family of an English navy captain. When a riot broke out on the ship where he served as first mate, Everett joined the mutineers and became their leader. His most famous trophy was the Indian ship Ganga-i-Sawai, loaded with gold and silver coins, as well as precious stones.

2. Anne Bonny (1700-1782).

Anne Bonny, one of the few women who succeeded 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, Anne Bonny met the pirate Jack Rackham and he took her on his ship. According to eyewitnesses, Bonnie was not inferior to male pirates in courage and ability to fight.

3. Francois Olone (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-Domingue. The most famous Ohlone operations were the capture of the Spanish cities of Maracaibo and Gibraltar. The pirate ended his warlike and bloody journey at the stake of the 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 from early childhood. At one time he served as a sailor, then gathered a crew 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 very well for Captain Rackham and his crew - they were almost caught several times. Fame came to the pirate after he met Mary Read and Anne Bonny, and began to rob in the waters of Jamaica. The glorious epic ended with the authorities announcing a hunt for them, as a result of which Rackham was hanged and Reed died in prison.

6. Steed Bonnet (1688-1718).

Steed Bonnet was a nobleman who served as a major in the colonial militia on the island of Barbados before becoming a pirate. According to rumors, the reason why Bonnet joined the pirates was the scandalous nature of his wife. The pirate plundered for a long time along the coast of North America and in the south, 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 he was hanged at White Point.

7. Bartholomew Roberts (1682-1722).

Bartholomew Roberts did not become a pirate by choice, but was forcibly assigned to the crew as a navigator after pirates captured the ship he was sailing on. Becoming captain after just six weeks, Roberts successfully fished in the Caribbean and Atlantic, capturing more than four hundred ships.

8. Henry Morgan (1635-1688).

The son of a landowner, Henry Morgan deliberately decided 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 that captured 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 privateering contracts. Kidd fought in the War of the League of Augsburg, commanding various capital ships and capturing French and pirate ships in the Indian Ocean. His further expeditions took place in various regions of the world. Most of all, Kidd became known after his death, in connection with the legends about the treasures he hid, which have not yet been found.

10. Edward Teach (1680-1718).

The famous English pirate Edward Teach, nicknamed "Blackbeard", began his pirate 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 the sea. For many centuries, their names inspired fear in people. Captain Flint, Jack Sparrow, John Silver, James Hook... The list of their names can be continued for a long time! The menace of the Royal Navy, cunning and treacherous, “people without honor and conscience,” tireless adventurers. Read below about these undaunted sea creatures.

1 Jethrow Flint (1680-1718)

Our selection today begins with the famous Captain Flint. Despite the fact that this is the name of a fictional character created by the thought of the Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson, his mention is worthy of this collection. Flint was a merciless man. Confirmation of this is the famous pirate song, which contains the words - “Fifteen men on a dead man's chest, yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum.” It was fifteen people who became unwitting witnesses to the place where Flint buried his treasures. And with this they signed their own death warrant.

2 Henry Morgan (1635-1688)

We know the name of this pirate from the film “Hearts of Three,” based on the novel of the same name by Jack London.
However, unlike the previous participant in our selection, Henry Morgan really existed. He was not only a pirate, but also a man who helped England gain control of the entire Caribbean region. For this he received the rank of governor of Jamaica. However, the sea could not part with its favorite, and as a result of the earthquake, the cemetery where the old pirate was buried went under water. The cause of Morgan's death was liver disease caused by the indefatigable consumption of rum, the favorite drink of pirates.

3 Francis Drake (1540-1596)

Despite the fact that Francis was born into the family of a priest, he was not an exemplary Christian. This was facilitated by the blessing of the Queen of England, who was ready to do anything so that the Spaniards would not be the leading power in the world. At age 18, Drake becomes the captain of a pirate ship that plunders and destroys property in Spain. In 1572, he participated in the capture of the Spanish "Silver Caravan", thanks to which he brought the treasury 30,000 kg of silver. In addition, with a desire to visit unknown countries, Drake was a participant. Thanks to her, the treasury of England received an income that was three times the size of its annual budget. In addition, the British became acquainted with a then exotic vegetable - potatoes. For this, Drake was knighted and received the rank of admiral.

4 William Kidd (1645-1701)

His fate became a reminder to all pirates of inevitable punishment. According to the court's verdict, he was executed, and his body was displayed in a metal cage in London for more than 23 years. The reason for this was the pirate antics of Kidd, who was a real disaster not only for the French, but also for the British.

5 Grace O'Male (1530-1603)

This name is forever included in the annals of piracy. The life of this girl is a continuous series of love and adventurous adventures. At first, she pirates with her father. Then, after the death of her father, she herself becomes the leader of the Owen clan. With a saber in her hands and her hair flowing, she made her enemies tremble. However, this did not stop her from loving and being loved. The mother of four children, even at an advanced age, continued to carry out raids. At the same time, she rejected the offer of the Queen of England to enter the service of Her Royal Majesty.

6 Olivier (Francois) le Vasseur (1690-1730)

One of the most famous pirates, whose homeland was France. Without taking direct part in pirate raids directed against the British and Spaniards, Vasser meanwhile received the lion's share of all the booty. The reason for this was the island of Tortuga (present-day Haiti), which this talented engineer turned into an impregnable fortress and became a refuge for pirate elements. Legend has it that over the years he managed the island, he accumulated more than £235 million. But his character, which deteriorated over time, played a cruel joke on him, as a result of which he became food for sharks. The gold, which has not yet been found, remains hidden somewhere on the islands in the middle of the world's oceans.

7 William Dampier (1651-1715)

Despite the fact that William Damir's main occupation was piracy, he is also considered the father of modern oceanography. This is explained by the fact that he not only pirated, but also described all his travels and what was connected with them. The result of this was a book called “A New Journey Around the World.”

8 Zheng Shi (1785-1844)

“Night Butterfly”, who first became the wife and then the widow of the famous pirate Zheng Yi., after the death of her husband, she inherited more than 400 ships that were a threat to the Chinese merchant fleet. The strictest discipline was introduced on the ships, putting an end to such pirate liberties as robbery of allies and violence against prisoners. In addition, Zheng Shi is known in history as the owner of brothels and the patroness of gambling.

9 Arouge Barbarossa (1473-1518)

Son of a potter. His homeland was the island of Lesbos. Probably because he did not find his great love on it, or perhaps because of the capture of the island by the Turks, Barbarossa became a pirate at the age of 16. After 4 years, he enters into an agreement with the Tunisian authorities, according to which he can create his own base on one of the islands, and in return, he shares a percentage of the profits. Soon he becomes the Sultan of Algeria. However, as a result of a clash with the Spaniards, he was killed. His successor was his younger brother, known as Barbaross the Second.

10 Edward Teach (1680–1718)

It was not without reason that this name frightened the English and French governments. Thanks to his courage and cruelty, Teach soon became one of the most feared pirates operating in the Jamaica area. By 1718, more than 300 men were fighting under his leadership. The enemies were horrified by Teach's face, almost completely covered by 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 strung up on a yardarm. It was he who became the prototype of the legendary Jethrow Flint from Treasure Island.