The Notorious Pirates of the New England Coast (1630-1730): A Tale of Plunder, Adventure, and Infamy

From the bustling ports of Boston to the remote shores of Maine, the New England coast was a breeding ground for some of the most notorious pirates in history. These swashbuckling buccaneers preyed on merchant ships, plundered coastal towns, and left a legacy of fear and intrigue that still captivates us today.

The Pirates of the New England Coast 1630-1730 (Dover Maritime)

by George Francis Dow

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	12745 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	496 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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The Golden Age of Piracy, as it is often called, lasted from the late 1600s to the early 1700s. During this time, pirates roamed the seas, attacking ships and plundering coastal towns from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean. The New England coast was a particularly popular haunt for pirates, due to its many sheltered harbors and inlets, and its proximity to major shipping lanes.

Some of the most famous pirates who sailed the New England coast include Captain Kidd, Blackbeard, and Mary Read. Captain Kidd was a Scottish sea captain who turned to piracy after being unjustly accused of murder. He sailed the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, and is said to have buried a vast treasure on Gardiner's Island, off the coast of Long Island.

Blackbeard was one of the most feared pirates of the Golden Age. He was known for his long, black beard, and his habit of lighting fuses under his hat to intimidate his enemies. Blackbeard sailed the Caribbean Sea, and is said to have captured over 40 ships. He was eventually killed in a battle with the British Navy in 1718.

Mary Read was one of the few female pirates of the Golden Age. She disguised herself as a man and served on several pirate ships before being captured and hanged in 1721. Her story is a fascinating tale of adventure, courage, and resilience.

In addition to these famous pirates, there were many other lesser-known buccaneers who sailed the New England coast. These pirates preyed on merchant ships, plundered coastal towns, and held hostages for ransom. They were a constant threat to the shipping industry and to the lives and livelihoods of the people who lived along the coast.

The pirates of the New England coast were eventually suppressed by the British Navy. In 1717, the British Parliament passed an act that made piracy a capital offense. This act, coupled with the efforts of the British Navy, helped to bring an end to the Golden Age of Piracy.

Today, the legacy of the pirates of the New England coast lives on in the many stories, legends, and artifacts that have been passed down from generation to generation. These stories tell of a time when pirates roamed the seas, and when the New England coast was a dangerous and exciting place to live.

The Pirate Code

Pirates were not simply lawless criminals. They had their own set of rules and regulations, known as the Pirate Code. This code governed everything from the distribution of loot to the punishment of crimes.

The Pirate Code varied from ship to ship, but there were some general principles that were common to most codes. These principles included:

• All loot was to be shared equally among the crew.
• The captain had absolute authority over the crew.
• Crimes such as murder and theft were punishable by death.
• Pirates were not to harm women or children.

The Pirate Code was not always followed, but it did provide a set of guidelines for pirate behavior. It helped to maintain order and discipline on pirate ships, and it ensured that the crew shared in the spoils of their plunder.

Pirate Ships

Pirate ships were typically small and fast, and they were armed with cannons and other weapons. The most common type of pirate ship was the sloop, a single-masted vessel that was easy to maneuver and could sail in shallow waters.

Pirate ships were often decorated with Jolly Rogers, the black flag with a skull and crossbones. This flag was used to intimidate enemy ships and to signal that the pirates were not afraid to fight.

Some of the most famous pirate ships include the Whydah Galley, the Adventure Galley, and the Queen Anne's Revenge. These ships were the terror of the seas, and they carried some of the most notorious pirates in history.

Pirate Treasure

Pirates are often associated with treasure, and there are many stories of buried treasure that have been passed down from generation to generation. While some of these stories are true, most are exaggerated or even completely false.

There is, however, a lot of evidence to suggest that pirates did bury treasure. Pirates often buried their loot on remote islands or in hidden coves, in the hopes of returning to retrieve it later. However, many pirates were killed or captured before they had a chance to recover their treasure.

Today, there are still many people who search for pirate treasure. While the chances of finding a vast treasure are slim, there are still a few people who have been lucky enough to find gold coins, jewelry, and other pirate artifacts.

The Legacy of the Pirates

The pirates of the New England coast left a lasting legacy on the region. Their stories are still told today, and their artifacts are displayed in museums up and down the coast.

The pirates were a symbol of freedom and adventure, and they represented a challenge to the established order. They were a reminder that even the most powerful authorities can be overthrown by those who are willing to fight for their freedom.

The legacy of the pirates is also a reminder of the dangers of greed and violence. The pirates were often ruthless and cruel, and they caused a lot of suffering and death. Their story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of letting power corrupt us.

The pirates of the New England coast were a colorful and fascinating group of characters. They were adventurers, outlaws, and symbols of freedom and rebellion. Their stories are still told today, and they continue to inspire us with their courage, their daring, and their lust for adventure.

The Pirates of the New England Coast 1630-1730 (Dover Maritime)

by George Francis Dow

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	12745 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	496 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE