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Privateers: The Government-Sanctioned Pirates of the High Seas
Privateers were individuals or ships authorized by a government to attack and capture enemy vessels during times of war. Operating under a “letter of marque,” privateers were essentially legal pirates, permitted to plunder for profit while fulfilling a military objective. This article explores the history of privateers, their role in various conflicts, and the differences…
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Difference Between a Pirate and a Buccaneer
While the terms “pirate” and “buccaneer” are often used interchangeably in popular culture, they have different historical contexts and meanings. Pirates: Buccaneers: In summary, while all buccaneers can be considered pirates, not all pirates are buccaneers. Buccaneers represent a specific group of seafarers that operated in the Caribbean during a particular time in history, whereas…
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Buccaneers: The Adventurous Seafarers of the Caribbean
Buccaneers were a unique breed of seafaring adventurers who roamed the Caribbean Sea in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. These skilled navigators and fighters were known for their daring exploits, battling the mighty Spanish Empire and seizing riches through piracy and privateering. The term “buccaneer” is derived from the French word “boucanier,” which…
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Walking The Plank
Ahoy, mateys! Today, we’re setting sail on a voyage through history, exploring the infamous punishment associated with pirates – walking the plank. This form of punishment has been immortalized in literature, movies, and popular culture, often conjuring images of pirates forcing their captives to walk off a plank extending over the ocean. But how accurate…
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Pirate Ships: An In-Depth Look at Their Types and History
Pirate ships have long been the subject of fascination and intrigue, capturing the imaginations of many through tales of adventure, treasure, and daring exploits. The history of these vessels is an important part of maritime culture and remains a significant area of study. This article will explore the different types of pirate ships, their history,…
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Did pirates really say “Arrr”?
Did the golden age pirates actually speak that way? And where did “pirate talk” come from anyway? Not surprisingly, pirate talk comes from the movies, specifically the 1950 Disney classic Treasure Island, starring Robert Newton as Long John Silver. Newton’s performance — full of “arrs,” “shiver me timbers” and references to “landlubbers” — not only…
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Is Blackbeard’s Name Edward Teach Or Thatch?
Fact is, either spelling is acceptable, but if one has to pick, Thatch is a better choice. In the early 1700s, spelling had yet to be standardized — the first reasonably comprehensive English dictionary wasn’t published until 1755 — and people tended to spell things as they heard them. A given scribe often spelled a…
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Pirate Canons
Cannons were a critical component of pirate ships. These weapons were used for a variety of purposes, from intimidating other ships into surrendering to defending against attacks from naval vessels. According to historical accounts, pirate ships during the 17th century were often equipped with multiple cannons. The exact number of cannons varied depending on the…
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Olivier Levasseur’s Lost Treasure
As I delve into the world of pirate legends, one story stands out as particularly intriguing: the tale of Olivier Levasseur‘s lost treasure. The image of buried gold, jewels, and other riches has long captured our imaginations, but the story of Levasseur’s treasure goes beyond the typical pirate fantasy. The Buzzard Olivier Levasseur, a pirate…
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Notorious 17th Century Pirates
17th century pirates, along with their dates of birth and death (if known), the years they were active, and the regions where they were active: Pirate Name Date of Birth Date of Death Years Active Region Henry Morgan 1635 1688 1660-1670s Caribbean William Kidd 1645 1701 1690s-1700s Caribbean and Indian Ocean Blackbeard 1680 1718 1716-1718…
Welcome to the Republic Of Pirates
