The Pirate Republic

⚓ This Week in Pirate History

May 17, 1682 – The Birth of Black Bart Roberts, Pirate Extraordinaire

Raise yer mugs and tip yer hats to Bartholomew Roberts, better known as Black Bart — a Welsh-born privateer turned pirate lord, feared across the Atlantic and worshipped by his crew. Born on May 17, 1682, Roberts would go on to become one of the most successful pirates of all time, takin' more than 400 ships in his reign of chaos.

But here’s the twist — Roberts never intended to be a pirate. He was forced into it in 1719 when the pirate Howell Davis captured his ship and made him part of the crew. Just six weeks later, Davis was killed in an ambush... and Roberts, with steel in his spine and ambition in his blood, was elected captain by the crew.

And what a captain he was.

He dressed in crimson velvet, wore a feathered hat, and kept a string of musicians aboard his flagship Royal Fortune. He was known for his strict pirate code, his hatred of drunkenness, and his flair for the dramatic.

⚓ Legendary Deeds:

• Burned the entire harbor of Trepassey, Newfoundland, takin’ over 20 ships in a single raid.

• Mocked the Portuguese governor of Brazil by kidnapping his entire treasure fleet.

• Outwitted the Royal Navy time and again, even sailing into heavily defended harbors and causin’ panic.

His luck ran dry in 1722, when the Royal Navy frigate Swallow caught him off the coast of Africa. Roberts was killed by grapeshot — likely before he even knew the fight had begun. His crew, honorin’ his wishes, wrapped his body in chains and cast him into the sea so no landlubber could ever claim it.

⚓ Bonus Treasure for Bart’s Birthday:

To honor the legendary Black Bart Roberts, Pirates of the Wild West—a high-seas time travel adventure where Bart himself plays a starring role—is FREE on Amazon Kindle from May 16 to 17! - It be written by me, so don’t say I ain’t never gave ye anything.

Hoist the mainsail and grab yer copy of the ebook before it vanishes into the mist: https://amzn.to/3SFpP9g

🏴‍☠️ The Pirate Queen Who Defied Empires: Zheng Yi Sao

Almost a hundred years after Blackbeard lit his braided beard with burning fuses and Bart Roberts reigned supreme, there sailed a woman who’d make even the fiercest pirate lords look like cabin boys. Her name? Zheng Yi Sao—though some know her as Ching Shih, the storm who ruled the South China Sea.

She started not on a deck, but in the shadows of Canton’s harbors, workin’ as a humble prostitute. But fate had bigger plans. In 1801, she wed the dread pirate Zheng Yi, captain of the mighty Red Flag Fleet. When he met Davy Jones in 1807, most thought his empire would crumble.

But nay! Zheng Yi Sao stepped in, seized command o' the fleet—and not just with a smile and a curtsy, mind ye. She wielded power with iron and intellect, commanding over 70,000 pirates and hundreds of ships. She didn’t just survive—she thrived, writing her own pirate code with strict discipline and harsh justice. Here are a few rules and punishments -

• Theft from the fleet? Death.

• Assault on women? Death.

• Disobedience? Ye guessed it—death.

The Qing Dynasty, Portuguese Navy, and even the British Empire all came knockin’, tryin’ to sink her reign. But Zheng Yi Sao turned ‘em away every time, fightin’ like a devil with a silk fan.

In the end, she didn’t go out in a blaze o' glory like most sea dogs. Nay—she brokered a full pardon with the Chinese government, kept her riches, and retired to a peaceful life as a tea house owner. She died an old woman, rich, free, and undefeated.

⚓ Legacy: Where most pirate kings met the noose or the sword, Zheng Yi Sao sailed off into the sunset. She weren’t just a pirate queen—she was an empire in herself.

Let that be a lesson to every would-be corsair: never underestimate a woman with a fleet behind her and nothin’ left to lose.

☠️  Piracy in 2025! The Pirate Waters of the Sulu-Celebes

Though the Golden Age o’ Piracy be long past, some waters remain as perilous as ever—and none more so than the Sulu-Celebes Sea in Southeast Asia. As of 2025, this stretch between the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia is one o’ the most dangerous in the world for seafarers.

It’s a place where modern pirates still raise their colors—only now they carry automatic weapons instead of cutlasses, and speedboats instead of sloops. Organized pirate gangs, often linked to militant groups like Abu Sayyaf, have been known to board ships, take hostages, and vanish into island chains faster than ye can shout “Avast!”

Just this year, luxury liners like the Queen Anne have gone dark—literally blacking out all lights and ordering passengers away from decks—while passing through these haunted waters. Merchant ships and fishing vessels still fall prey to attacks, though the region’s naval forces work ‘round the clock to patrol the area.

So while ye may dream of sandy shores and sapphire tides, beware: in this corner o’ the world, the pirate’s flag still flaps in the wind—and the legends live on, armed and dangerous.

Source: People Magazine – “Cruise Ship Goes Dark in Pirate-Prone Waters”

🧬 Bloodlines of Buccaneers

The Pop Star and the Pirate Hunter: Hilary Duff’s Surprising Connection

Believe it or not, the Disney Channel darling turned pop sensation Hilary Duff has pirate blood—well, pirate hunter blood—flowing through her veins. On an episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, Duff discovered she’s the 7th great-granddaughter of Alexander Spotswood, the colonial Governor of Virginia.

Now here’s where it gets swashbucklin’: Governor Spotswood was the man who authorized the mission to hunt down the dreaded Blackbeard in 1718. He sent Lieutenant Robert Maynard of the Royal Navy to track and kill the notorious pirate, which he did in a ferocious battle off the coast of Ocracoke Island.

So while Duff herself might not be a descendant of Blackbeard, she is kin to the man who ordered his end. As fans of pirates, we decided to turn down any dinner invitations that Duff-The-Pirate-Hunter might send our way, though coffee might still be on the table.

⚓ Legacy be a funny thing, mate—sometimes it’s not the pirate, but the pirate slayer who gets passed down in the blood.

🗺️ Upcoming Pirate Events

📍 Pirate Invasion Day – Lincoln Forest Renaissance Faire (May 16)
Expect cannon blasts, cutlasses, and plenty o’ rum-soaked cheer!
View Event →

📍 Buckeye Lake Pirate Festival – Ohio (May 16)
Live music, pirate skits, and treasure hunts! Family-friendly but full o’ rowdy fun.
Event Details →

📍 Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival – Fort Walton Beach, FL (May 30–June 1)
This 69th annual invasion brings a full flotilla of festivities to the Florida coast.
Read More →

📍 Put-in-Bay Pyrate Fest XVII – Ohio (June 27–29)
Cannon salutes, tall tales, and a whole island overrun by pirates.
Event Page →

🏴‍☠️ Plunder Pick o’ the Week

Whiskey Decanter Globe Set
📍 Snag it here, ye salty dog →

Set yer sights on a treasure fit for any captain’s cabin — this fine Globe Whiskey Decanter Set holds 850ml of yer finest rum, grog, or top-shelf spirits. With two etched glasses to match and a finely crafted glass ship nestled inside the globe, it’s a proper showpiece for any pirate with taste.

Whether yer toasting to plunder or peace, this decanter delivers with style and seaworthy swagger. A top gift for the men ‘n women o’ fortune who’ve sailed far and wide (or just fancy a fine drink at home). Raise a glass and drink like the legends!

📣 Join the Crew & Share the Booty

Sail with us across the digital seas:
📜 TikTok: @thepiraterepublic
▶️ YouTube: The Pirate Republic

💌 Know a scallywag who’d enjoy this fine scroll? Send it their way or hoist yer referral link

🎖️ 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!