Women and the Seas

Posted by Diana Tierney Jun 21, 2007

There were many women throughout history that sailed as pirates, not just the three that were mentioned in this week’s article (Grace O’Malley, Anne Bonny and Mary Read). In a time when women were supposed to be gentle creatures that took care of the home, these women defied convention. It is said that as a favor before Jack Rackham was hanged, he was allowed to see Anne one last time. She said to him “If you fought like a man you wouldn’t have to die like a dog.” Grace O’Malley was such a good leader that the men in her clan pledged their loyalty to her. She shrewdly negotiated fees from ships for their safe passage, pirated and took part in legitimate trade. When a governor had a personal vendetta against her, trying to stop her by attacking her family and the clans under her control, Grace went straight to the top by seeing Queen Elizabeth.

It is interesting to note that the only intact pirates code that has been found was drawn up by the Bart Robert’s crew. Point 6 in the code states “No boy or woman to be allowed amongst them. If any man shall be found seducing one of the latter sex and carried to sea in disguise, he shall suffer death.” ( Angus Konstam, The History of Pirates) Though women were not new to Piracy they were still a deviation from the status quo. When Anne and Mary were on trial for piracy there was what could be considered a media circus surrounding them. Women dressed up as men to go out and be pirates caught societies imagination. Even today we are fascinated by these women for entering and succeeded in what could be considered a man’s world.