Pirates of the Golden Age of Piracy
Another pirate who didn't quite fit the stereotype of a regular pirate was the Welsh pirate, Bartholomew Roberts. This gentleman pirate enjoyed music and favored tea over alcohol, while his penchant for wearing flamboyant clothes gained him notoriety. One account described him as "dressed in a rich crimson damask waistcoat and breeches, a red feather in his hat, a gold chain round his neck, with a diamond cross hanging to it." Another said this tall dark pirate was "of good natural parts and personal bravery."
Born John Roberts, he became a pirate in 1719 when Howell Davis captured the slaver on which John worked. He soon won the respect of his fellow pirates and upon Davis' death during an ambush, they elected John their new captain. He changed his name to Bartholomew, and eventually earned the nickname "Black Bart."
In spite of his gentlemanly ways, he tortured or murdered others when necessary to gain what he wanted. Speed and savagery characterized his attacks. Considered one of the most successful pirates who ever lived, he captured over four hundred ships. His adventures took him to Africa, the Caribbean, and Newfoundland. He died in 1722 when the HMS Swallow fired a broadside of grapeshot at close range into his ship. His crew threw Roberts' body overboard so the English couldn't capture and display it as an example to others. His men fought for three hours before they surrendered. Fifty-four were hanged while thirty-seven were sentenced to prison or transportation to the colonies. Those who remained were acquitted, except for seventy Africans. They were sold into slavery.
Stede Bonnet was an educated plantation owner on Barbados. His reasons for becoming a pirate are unknown, but he purchased rather than "acquired" his ten-gun pirate ship, the Revenge, and hired a crew of seventy pirates. They set sail in the spring of 1717 and plundered ships sailing near Virginia, Long Island, and South Carolina. On learning Britain again warred with Spain, he sought a pardon from the governor of North Carolina and became a privateer. In time, though, he resumed his pirating ways. To escape detection he renamed his ship the Royal James and assumed an alias, Captain Thomas. He captured nine prizes, then put in at Cape Fear to make repairs. While there, Colonel William Rhett and his men attacked the pirates, who battled for five hours before surrendering. Bonnet managed
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