Ahoy, Matey

While landlubbers wave their flags this Independence Day, we’re unfurling a different kind of banner—the black flag of defiance. In this explosive July 4th edition of The Pirate Republic, we’re diving into the rebel roots of American freedom, where privateers and outlaws helped shape a revolution. From Captain Kidd’s fateful arrival in New York Harbor to the tension between Blackbeard and Jennings, this week’s issue sails through history, tribute, and treasure.

So grab your grog and spark your flint—Episode 11 is ready to fire!

🎆 Pirates & Independence: A July 4th Reflection

How Pirates Helped Spark the American Revolution (and Sailed Into Its Legacy)

Before fireworks lit the skies, pirates helped ignite the spirit of rebellion.

Long before 1776, colonial ports from Boston to Charleston were hotbeds of smuggling, privateering, and—yes—piracy. Many American merchants and sailors walked a fine line between outlaw and patriot, especially when British taxes squeezed the colonies. Pirates like Captain Kidd, who sailed into New York Harbor on July 4, 1696, were both feared and celebrated. Kidd began as a British-commissioned pirate hunter—but his downfall exposed the corruption of colonial governors and the British Crown's double standards.

By the time of the American Revolution, the lines between pirates and patriots had blurred. Many former privateers—essentially legalized pirates—joined the Continental Navy or turned their ships against the British. George Washington even authorized privateers to attack British supply ships, knowing full well they’d be flying the same tactics pirates once used.

Even the Stars and Stripes has a salty echo of the pirate’s Jolly Roger—a bold banner raised in defiance of empire.

🦜 Freedom was never just fought for on land. Sometimes, it sailed under a black flag.

⚓ This Week in Pirate History

July 2, 1618 – Dutch Galleon vs. Barbary Corsairs

Off the rocky waters near Gibraltar, a fierce naval chase unfolded on July 2, 1618 as a Dutch war galleon pursued a fleet of Barbary corsairs. The corsairs—North African privateers from the ports of Algiers and Tunis—were infamous for raiding Christian merchant ships across the Mediterranean and Atlantic.

This battle wasn’t just about plunder—it was part of a broader geopolitical struggle between Protestant maritime powers and Muslim corsair states backed by the Ottoman Empire. Despite being outnumbered, the Dutch ship reportedly damaged or captured several corsair vessels, striking a blow against pirate raiding along Iberian trade routes.

It was a rare glimpse of the kind of formal naval warfare that intersected with piracy during the 17th century—and a reminder that piracy was never just about gold. It was politics with cannon smoke.

⚔️ Pirate Rivalries July 5th 1717

The Pirate Kings of New Providence

In the sweltering summer of 1717, three pirate titans—Edward Thatch (Blackbeard), Benjamin Hornigold, and Henry Jennings—met on the shores of New Providence in the Bahamas. The island, then a lawless haven for buccaneers, was quickly becoming the epicenter of the Golden Age of Piracy.

Hornigold, once a feared privateer, had mentored young Thatch, who by this time had carved out a brutal reputation of his own. Jennings, a privateer-turned-plunderer, had led a daring raid on the Spanish treasure fleet’s salvage camps just a few years prior, making him both feared and resented.

Henry Jennings had no love for Thatch. The two were known to clash, their crews bristling with tension as each captain fought for dominance over New Providence’s riches and influence. Though this meeting didn't erupt into outright battle, it was a powder keg moment—pirate politics at its finest.

Just over the horizon loomed change. The British crown would soon offer a royal pardon to any pirate willing to hang up their cutlass. But for now, the pirate kings ruled unchallenged.

These rivalries laid the groundwork for the eventual downfall of Nassau’s pirate haven… but they sure made for one hell of a ride.

🎬 In Memoriam - The Pirate Executioner

Bob Elmore – Stunt Legend of Pirates of the Caribbean

We raise our tankards in tribute to Bob Elmore, the talented stuntman who brought the Pirate Executioner to life in the Pirates of the Caribbean film. Elmore, who passed away this June, was a veteran of Hollywood action work—

Elmore appeared in the 2007 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and previously worked as a stuntman on the 2003 movie The Curse of the Black Pearl. He was also the Leatherface stuntman in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2.

⚓ Fair winds, Bob. May your anchor find calm waters.

🏴‍☠️ Plunder Pick o’ the Week

Aged Replica 1832 Pirate Flintlock Pistol
🦴 Non-Firing | Display-Ready | Right-Handed
Available on Etsy – $80

Looking to add some firepower to your pirate lair—without risking a mutiny? This right-handed Pirate 1832-style aged flintlock replica is the perfect piece to hang from your belt, display in your captain’s cabin, or brandish for your next pirate festival.

Crafted with a vintage, weathered finish and authentic styling, this non-firing pistol looks straight off the hip of a Caribbean cutthroat. The trigger and hammer are movable, giving it a functional feel, while its solid build makes it ideal for cosplay, décor, or just showing off to your shipmates.

🧤 Right-handed design
⚙️ Metal and faux wood materials
📏 Approx. 14” in length
💥 Non-firing — safe for events, reenactments & display

Raise your glass, spin your tales, and show you’re not just talk—you’re packing pirate heat.

🦜 Link to plunder: etsy.com/listing/1001998793

🏴‍☠️ Festival Spotlight

Kingston Pirates Week – October 30 to November 2, 2025
Jamaica’s Capital Invites You to Party Like a Buccaneer

Get ready to hoist the colors in one of the most legendary pirate ports in the world—Kingston and Port Royal, Jamaica—for Pirates Week 2025, taking place October 30 through November 2.

This family-friendly, immersive festival blends Caribbean culture with swashbuckling fun. Visitors are invited to don their best pirate garb and step into a world of colonial intrigue, tropical mischief, and historical flair. The streets come alive with costumes, themed decor, and live entertainment, all paying tribute to Jamaica’s rich—and rebellious—pirate heritage.

🏝️ What to Expect:

• Street dances & live music pulsing with island rhythm

• Pirate excursions and historical tours of Port Royal

• Beach cleanups that let you give back to the coast that once welcomed Blackbeard

• Local cuisine & Caribbean cocktails

• A kiddies village packed with games, crafts, and pirate storytelling

• International and local visitors converging to celebrate the golden age of piracy

• Find out more -

🗣️ 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:
📜 TikTok: @thepiraterepublic
▶️ 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!