Ahoy, Matey

This week, we sail through the final escape of the Gentleman Pirate, witness Drake and the Spanish Armada face off near Plymouth, and dive into the legend of Henry Avery’s right-hand man. But the fun ain’t all in the past—there’s a real-life pirate cruise ye can still board, and a pair of 1960s pirate models up for auction that’ll make any collector draw their cutlass.

So hoist the colors and keep your spyglass sharp—Episode 15 is charted and set to plunder!

— Captain Blackquill

🌊 This Week in Pirate History

⚓️ July 30, 1696 – The Arrest of John Dann

In the shadowy aftermath of the most notorious pirate heist of the 17th century, one man was left holding the secrets—John Dann, loyal coxswain to the infamous Henry Avery. After the Fancy’s audacious capture of the Mughal treasure ship Ganj-i-Sawai in 1695, Avery vanished into legend with the treasure and his crew scattered like cannon shot.

But Dann didn’t vanish. He was captured in Ireland and hauled to England in chains. There, under pressure from the Crown and East India Company, Dann spilled his tale—one of betrayal, hidden treasure, and Avery’s mysterious disappearance. His confession became one of the few firsthand accounts of Avery’s epic raid, fanning the flames of treasure hunters for centuries.

Though Dann may have avoided the hangman’s noose, he couldn’t escape history’s grasp—etched forever as the man who knew where the treasure went… but never claimed it.

🔥 July 31, 1588 – Sir Francis Drake Battles the Spanish Armada

On this day, the English pirate-turned-patriot Sir Francis Drake rose to meet destiny. The mighty Spanish Armada, 130 ships strong, loomed off the coast of Plymouth—intent on invading England and toppling Queen Elizabeth. But Drake, who had once plundered Spanish galleons with daring raids, now wielded England’s fate in his weathered hands.

As second-in-command of the English fleet, Drake led a ferocious counterattack. Using nimble ships and clever tactics, the English harried the Spanish lines, igniting fireships and breaking the Armada’s mighty crescent formation. The battle raged for days across the Channel, but it was this first strike—Drake’s bold maneuver off Plymouth—that turned the tide.

While Spain sent a fleet, England sent pirates. And it was enough.

Drake would go down not only as a scourge of the Spanish Main, but as the man who saved a nation with cannons, cunning, and the heart of a buccaneer.

⛵️ August 1, 1718 – Stede Bonnet Sails South

Stede Bonnet—the infamous "Gentleman Pirate"—was on the run. After narrowly escaping British forces in Delaware Bay, he took to the sea aboard his flagship Royal James, with two battered sloops limping behind. His crew was bruised and weary, but Bonnet remained defiant.

Rather than surrender, he made the daring choice to press southward, seeking safety and possibly to rejoin Blackbeard. The winds were against him, the odds even worse—but this bold move marked the beginning of his final, fateful chapter. Within weeks, Bonnet would clash with colonial forces in a last stand that would seal his name in pirate lore.

💰 Plunder Pick of the Week: Rare 1965 Aurora Pirate Models — Blackbeard & Captain Kidd

Avast ye collectors! This week’s treasure be the stuff of legend—two sealed pirate model kits from 1965, featuring none other than Blackbeard and Captain Kidd, courtesy of the famed Aurora Plastics Company.

These scallywags are up for auction, still in their original packaging after nearly 60 years adrift in time. That’s right—SEALED! Not a drop of glue nor a dab of paint has ever touched these figures. For collectors, that’s rarer than finding a mermaid ridin’ a narwhal.

• 🧔‍☠️ Blackbeard (Model No. 463-98) – Posed mid-plunder, complete with cutlass, cannon, and a snarl that could curdle rum.

• 💼 Captain Kidd (Model No. 464-98) – More dashing than dastardly, this privateer-turned-pirate holds his saber high, defending treasure long buried.

Whether ye be a model builder, a pirate aficionado, or just a salty soul with a love for vintage oddities, this be a rare double bounty from the golden age of hobby kits.

🦜 Bidding starts now!
View the auction and stake your claim

But be warned, matey… there be other treasure hunters afoot. Might be time to sharpen yer cutlass and raise the black, for this relic’s sure to fetch a handsome pile of doubloons.

🏴‍☠️ Set Sail on the Royal Conquest – A Pirate Ship Adventure in Florida

If ye can’t make it to the high seas, Florida’s got the next best thing—The Royal Conquest pirate cruise! Departin’ from John’s Pass near Madeira Beach, this family-friendly voyage offers:

• Pirate-themed antics and sword fights

• Water gun battles for the wee buccaneers

• Face painting, treasure hunts, and sea shanties

• Adult beverages for the seasoned sailors

With a full pirate crew and a ship that looks like it leapt from Nassau itself, this hour-long cruise captures the spirit of the Golden Age with a splash of Florida fun.
Book yer passage here

🏴‍☠️ Event Spotlight: Tall Ships Festival — Sturgeon Bay (WI)

July 31 – August 3, 2025

Ahoy, Door County! Prepare to meet history on the waves: four majestic tall ships will sail into Sturgeon Bay this summer, bringing maritime lore and festival charm from July 31 through August 3 More info

⚓ Meet the Vessels:

• Liberty Clipper – A bold mid‑19th-century Baltimore clipper replica, famous for its speed and influence on privateering trade routes

• Pride of Baltimore II – A sleek topsail schooner embodying America’s maritime heritage, built to mirror her War of 1812 predecessors

• When and If – Commissioned by General George Patton in 1939, her name born from hope—it nearly lived up to it with global cruises

• Utopia – Launched in 1946, a two‑mast staysail schooner with a rich history of circumnavigation and Great Lakes racing

🗓 Weekend Highlights:

• Parade of Sail: July 31, 12 PM–3 PM—ships arrive under full sail lined up across the bay

• Deck Tours & Sailaways: Free deck access and ticketed sunset or daytime cruises (tour tickets available in advance only)

• Shanties & Sea Songs: Live performances by the Stoughton Sea Shanty Society on August 2 (10 AM–2 PM & 5:30–7:30 PM)—sing along, mateys!

• Build-A-Boat Challenge: Teams craft homemade boats and race them in the sea trials on August 3 (community fun with creative flair)

A flotilla of tall ships cruising into port—perfect for the pirate in your soul.

These mighty ships offer a rare chance to step aboard living legends—and who knows, maybe plot your next treasure map next to them? Let me know if you'd like a sidebar with pirate-style captions or visitor advice tailored for a swashbuckling crew!

If yer sails are full and your compass true, share this missive with yer crew. And if Comic-Con proved anything, it’s that pirates belong everywhere—so here’s to makin’ every port a pirate port.

Fair winds until the next tide,
– Captain Blackquill

🗣️ Share the Spoils, Matey!

Know a landlubber who’d love tales of treasure, ghost ships, and real pirate history? Don’t keep the gold to yerself—send ‘em our way!

📜 Sign up here → https://www.piratefanclub.com/weeklynewsletter-thepiraterepublic

Fair winds and full inboxes!

Sail with us across the digital seas:
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▶️ YouTube: The Pirate Republic

🎖️ Thanks for Embarkin’ on the Voyage

We set sail every Friday, storm or shine. Keep yer spyglass pointed at the horizon...
and may yer week be full o’ plunder, parlay, and just the right amount o’ mutiny.

Share this letter with yer crewmates, an if ye find treasure or tales worth tell’n, send them to [email protected].

 Disclosure: Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links, which means we may earn doubloons (aka a small commission) if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting The Pirate Republic, ya savvy sea dog!