Golden Age of Piracy: Top 10 Countdown
This is the sixth installment of a series focusing upon the ten most successful pirates (as determined by the estimated total value of their combined hauls) of the Golden Age of Piracy (generally considered to have ended with the killing of Barthlomew “Black Bart” Roberts in 1722).
# 5. Black Bart (Bartholomew Roberts): $32 million
There is no question that Bartholomew “Black Bart” Roberts was a very successful pirate. In fact, it could be argued that he was perhaps the best of them all if achievements are measured in terms of vessels captured – Roberts commandeered over 400 ships in only three years (1719-1722); no one else even comes close to that number.
Operating at the height of the Golden Age of Piracy (historians generally cite Robert’s death as the effective end of that era), it is interesting to note that Black Bart did not even want to be a pirate to begin with.
Sailing off the west coast of Africa in 1719 as an officer on the slave trader “Princess,” Roberts was captured by pirates under the command of Welshman Howell Davis. Being a Welshman himself (his given name was Barti Ddu), Roberts was spared and invited to join Davis’ crew. Perhaps this offer was of the type that one cannot refuse; Roberts reluctantly joined the outlaws.
He rose quickly in the ranks of the pirates. Upon the death of Davis, Roberts was voted in as the new captain. He embraced the role, saying that, having ‘already muddied his hands in the business of piracy, if he had to be a pirate, it was better to be the captain.’
His first command was to attack the town where Davis had been killed. This act of avenging his former captain served to solidify his relationship with his crew.
Roberts was able to “upgrade” his mode of transportation in 1721. A large frigate, the “Onslow,” was captured, mounted with 40 cannons, and renamed the “Royal Fortune” (a title he bestowed upon several of his ships). This vessel was the equal of the best-armed warships of the era and rivaled the size and firepower of better-known ships such as Sam Bellamy’s “Whydah” and Blackbeard’s “Queen Anne’s Revenge.”
Roberts was successful in part because of his technique and approach to attacking his prey. His preference was to pursue the single-most valuable cargoes with minimal conflict and damage. Commanding a number of ships, Black Bart would deftly surround his target, giving them no choice but to surrender peacefully or suffer an inevitable bloody defeat.
An example of his modus operandi was his capture of a particularly valuable Portuguese treasure ship off of the coast of Brazil. Easing his “Royal into the midst of a convoy of merchant vessels, Black Bart was able to board one of the unsuspecting vessels at anchor in the bay. Questioning the captain as to which of the merchants held the most desirable cargo, he was able to clandestinely take the targeted victim and quietly sail away.
But Black Bart could be more direct when necessary. He captured a slave ship, the “Porcupine,” in January of 1722. Finding that the captain was on shore, a ransom message was sent to him demanding substantial payment for the safe return of his vessel and cargo. When the “Porcupine’s” captain refused to comply, Black Bart set the ship afire with 80 or so slaves still shackled below decks.
(It should be noted that, contrary to popular belief, his nefarious-sounding nickname of “Black Bart” was not a result of his reported cruelty, but was rather attributed to his dark complexion and black hair.)
Roberts was indirectly responsible for beginning the careers of other pirate captains. Not long after he captured the Portuguese treasure ship, one of his captains, Walter Kennedy, sailed off with it, infuriating Roberts in the process of beginning a brief pirate career of his own. Two years later, another of his subordinate officers repeated this type of act. Thomas Anstis and a group of disgruntled crewmen set out on their own, again with one of Black Bart’s ships.
Not all of Black Bart’s “protégés” got their start without his consent. It is documented that two ships of would-be pirates purposely sought him out for advice and guidance. Taking a liking to them, Roberts obliged, providing them with training and weapons.
Not unlike many pirates, Black Bart flew various flags at different times. He is known to have used at least four designs. When he sailed to Africa, he had a black flag with a white skeleton. The skeleton held crossbones in one hand and an hourglass (indicating that time was running out for his intended victims) in the other. Beside the skeleton were a spear and three red drops of blood.
Another of his flags depicted a pirate standing atop two skulls with the initials “ABH” (A Barbadian Head) and “AMH” (A Martinico’s Head), respectively. As the governors of Barbados and Martinique had issued bounties on him, Roberts held these two provinces in great contempt.
The flag flown by Black Bart during his last battle was a skeleton and a pirate holding a flaming sword.
Black Bart’s final moments in February of 1722 were quite dramatic. Having been sighted and pursued by a Royal Navy Man of War, the “Swallow,” he turned the “Royal Fortune” to confront the much larger and better-armed ship. This proved to be a mistake.
Defiantly climbing upon and straddling a cannon, Roberts was instantly killed with the first volley of grapeshot from the navy vessel. His throat torn out, Black Bart slumped over, only to be chastised by an unsuspecting crewman who thought his captain to be passed out from alcohol consumption.
In accordance with his wishes and standing order, Black Bart’s body was tossed overboard by his crewman prior to surrendering the ship.
Black Bart Roberts has been cited in movies and literature. He is mentioned by name in the novel “Treasure Island” and is the model for the “Dread Pirate Roberts” in “The Princess Bride” movie.
Roberts can be cited as the fifth-most successful pirate of the Golden Age of Piracy.
