We have an image of romantic, dashing pirate men and of the beautiful pirate woman with her cutlass and low neckline, all on a fantastical pirate ship. Our idea of pirates is almost inseparable with the mythos behind them. Who were they really, though, and just how much similarity do real pirates bear to the moviegoers’ image of them?

The name pirate was used to refer to more than just the buccaneers of the high seas and the real pirates of the Caribbean. Strictly, the name pirate was used to refer to those independent pirates who used their pirate ships to attack merchant vessels and steal their goods, which they would then bring into port to sell. These very real pirates were little more than criminals, highwaymen of the seas, and truly deserved the name pirate.

Privateers, on the other hand, still engaged in piracy – but did so “legally,” under the flag of a specific nation, and only against that nation’s enemies. One such pirate was Robert Morris, an American privateer from the early years of the country. Many privateers were wealthy – Morris’ pirating profits made him the first millionaire in American history.

Famous Pirate Ships

An important part of pirate lore is, of course, the pirate ship, with its Jolly Roger and cannons ready to take down any innocent passerby. Among the most famous of all pirate ships was the one captained by the pirate captain Edward Teach – better known today as Blackbeard. His ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, was the terror of honest merchantmen near his haunt near the island of St. Vincent until his death at the hands of Lieutenant Maynard of the British army.

Pirate ships provided pirates with transport, weapons and storage. They were a sailing home for the crew, and included space for not only rations, but treasure. They needed to be navigable, fast, and well armed in order to allow the pirates to be successful. During the height of the pirate era, pirate ships sailed the Caribbean, leaving havoc in their path. The island ports offered shelter, entertainment, and an opportunity to recruit new crew members to pirate ships of the time. While we may not always know the name, pirate ships are a critical part of pirate lore.

A Basic Outline of a Pirate Ship

While a ship is technically a vessel with three masts, many pirate ships were not ships at all. Ships, including warships, frigates and merchant ships were rarely used by pirates. While the navy used such vessels, and they were well-armed, they were both slower and less easily navigated than smaller vessels. Sloops and schooners were the most common types of pirate ships. These smaller vessels often had only one mast, and could carry a crew of 75 men and 14 guns. Speed and maneuverability made sloops ideal pirate ships, able to outrun the larger and slower naval vessels. Modern audiences will recognize these real life pirate ships in the images we see of pirates in the media today.

Where Did Pirate Ships Come From?

Pirate ships were often not specifically designed for as pirate vessels Many times, pirates moved onto a newly captured vessel when it was superior to theirs. Some pirate ships moved from legitimate use to piracy when the crew mutinied. Other pirate ships were retired privateer ships. Privateers were, functionally, state approved pirates, so these fast and well designed pirate ships were often recruited as pirate vessels when the privateering contract expired.

A Few Famous Pirate Ships

While we do not know many a name, pirate ships added to the reputation and skill of a pirate. The most famous pirate ship of all was the Queen Anne’s Revenge. While many pirate ships were smallish vessels, Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge was anything but small. This frigate held a substantial crew and 40 guns. For more information about the Blackbeard’s ship, see HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Anne%27s_Revenge" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Anne%27s_Revenge. Another remembered name, pirate captain Jack Rackham’s The William brings memories of more than one pirate woman forward in history. For more information on a variety of famous pirate ships, take a look at HYPERLINK "http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/famous-pirate-ships.htm" http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/famous-pirate-ships.htm.

Who Was Blackbeard?

While pirate history is full of stories of more than one famous pirate ship, and many a name, pirate or not, Blackbeard is perhaps the most famous pirate of all. Blackbeard reigned in the Caribbean for a short period in the early 18th century, during the Golden Age of Piracy. Blackbeard’s pirate ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge is one of the most famous pirate ships of all time.

The Real Blackbeard

The real Blackbeard was by name, pirate Edward Teach. Teach was born around 1680 in England. Teach first went to sea as a privateer, finally adding the French frigate La Concorde de Nantes to his fleet. He renamed La Concorde de Nantes the Queen Anne’s Revenge and it became his well known and feared pirate ship. Teach was known both for his escapades as a pirate, and also his personal escapades, including a rumored fourteen common law wives. He refused pardon when it was offered, preferring to stay on the seas, even if it eventually cost him his life. His crew, piracy and his pirate ship were his life.

Why is Blackbeard the Most Famous Pirate?

Blackbeard had a reputation for cruelty. While his reign was short, from 1716-1718, he brought fear into the minds of many in the Caribbean, and along the coastal United States. HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackbeard" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackbeard offers an excellent overview of Blackbeard’s life and acts. Not only does Blackbeard have a reputation for cruelty to his crew and the ships and cities he raided, but he had a long running feud with the HMS Scarborough. Blackbeard finally died in a rough and rowdy battle with the two sloops commanded by Lieutenant Robert Maynard near Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. Blackbeard’s determination, drive, and life as a real pirate of the Caribbean make him one of the most famous pirates of the age of piracy.

Blackbeard’s Name, Pirate Legend

Blackbeard’s name was a part of the legend the man created around himself. A fearsome image served a pirate well, and Blackbeard was no exception to that. Blackbeard both fought and appeared heavily armed at all times. The name pirate Blackbeard likely refers to the man’s beard; however, legend says that he wove lit fuses, matches and hemp into his beard, creating a cloud of smoke around his head. The huge and heavily armed pirate ship he sailed added to the legend. While Edward Teach, Blackbeard, was a real pirate, his legend lives on even more loudly than the man himself did.