Ahoy, Matey

Some pirate legends begin with a whisper in the dark.
Others begin with sails unfurled in full daylight.

This week, we sail both paths.

On one December night, Calico Jack Rackham slips silently into Port Royal harbor and steals the Kingston from under the noses of soldiers and merchants alike — proof that audacity can outweigh cannon and crown.

On another December morning, nearly a century earlier, Francis Drake departs Plymouth harbor, chasing a horizon few dared imagine — a voyage that would redraw maps and shake empires.

And as the spirit of piracy lives on, we drop anchor ashore for a modern gathering of sea dogs, captains, and scallywags at Captain Sebastian’s pirate social in Long Beach.

Stolen ships.
Bold departures.
And the enduring call of the sea.

⚔️ PIRATE HISTORY — DECEMBER 11, 1717

How Calico Jack Rackham Stole the Kingston from Right Under Port Royal’s Nose

Port Royal had seen its share of rogues, but on the night of December 11th, she witnessed one of the boldest thefts in her long, wicked history — the night Calico Jack Rackham stole an entire ship from a harbor full of soldiers, sailors, and customs men.

The Kingston was no prize to be taken lightly.
She’d just returned from a lucrative trading voyage and was heavy with goods — sugar, rum, textiles, and supplies — a floating fortune tied snug at anchor.

And she was under government watch.
A captured pirate ship had recently slipped from under their noses, and the authorities had vowed it would never happen again.

But Rackham had other ideas.

🏴‍☠️ A Daring Heist in the Lion’s Den

With a small crew of trusted men, Rackham rowed silently into Port Royal Harbor, the moon low and the winds slow. Soldiers lounged along the quays, lanterns bobbed lazily on the water, and no one expected a pirate raid in the heart of England’s Caribbean stronghold.

Rackham and his men climbed aboard the Kingston as quiet as cats.

The watch had grown comfortable — too comfortable — and within moments the pirates had seized them, bound them, and taken the deck.

By the time anyone ashore realized the ship was drifting out of the harbor, her sails were already catching the night breeze.

⚓ The Escape

Imagine the sight:
A fully loaded merchant ship gliding past Port Royal’s defenses, cannon crews scrambling in confusion, officers shouting from the docks — and Calico Jack Rackham at the helm, laughing into the wind.

The Kingston became one of his richest prizes.

But the theft also made him a marked man.
The merchants of Jamaica demanded vengeance, and Governor Lawes swore he’d hunt Rackham to the ends of the earth.

History would show — they nearly succeeded.

But on that December night, the harbor belonged to Calico Jack.

🌍 PIRATE HISTORY — DECEMBER 13, 1577

Francis Drake Sets Sail from Plymouth — The Beginning of a Legendary Voyage

On a cold December morning in 1577, a young, fiercely ambitious privateer named Francis Drake stood upon the deck of the Pelican in Plymouth Harbor, England. Before him stretched the grey Atlantic — and beyond that, the unknown.

His mission, whispered in taverns and secretly sanctioned by Queen Elizabeth herself, was nothing short of treason against Spain:
Sail into the Pacific — a sea claimed entirely by the Spanish — and raid their empire.

⚔️ A Fleet Born for Danger

Drake commanded a small squadron of five ships:

• Pelican (his flagship)

• Elizabeth

• Marigold

• Benedict

• Christopher

Their decks were crowded with men eager for fortune, and their holds were packed with supplies — though not nearly enough for the journey they would endure. Many didn’t yet know they would be gone for nearly three years.

🌊 Leaving the Known World Behind

On December 13th, the wind finally rose.
With the tide turning and the harbor swelling, Drake gave the order.

Cannons boomed from the shoreline as a farewell salute.
Families waved from the quays.
And the small English fleet slipped into the Channel, bound for storms, mutiny, triumph, and a circumnavigation that would shake the world.

🏴‍☠️ The Voyage That Made a Legend

Drake would:

• Brave the treacherous Strait of Magellan

• Raid Spanish treasure towns along the Pacific

• Capture the massive treasure-laden Nuestra Señora de la Concepción

• Rename the Pelican to Golden Hind

• Become the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe

When he returned to England in 1580, his ships bursting with Spanish gold, Queen Elizabeth knighted him aboard the Golden Hind.

It all began with that single December departure —
a cold morning, a brave crew, and a privateer chasing destiny across the edge of the map.

🏴‍☠️ PLUNDER PICK OF THE WEEK — Coins of the Golden Age

This week we delve into the treasure chest itself — pirate coins that tell tales of plundered galleons, sunken fleets, and legends etched in silver and gold.

And in true Pirate Republic tradition, we’ve ranked ‘em from High Value Booty to Buccaneer Bargains.

💰 High-Value Booty — Spanish 2 Reale Cob Coin (1749) Gold Pendant

A true artifact from the heart of the Spanish Main — this 1749 Spanish 2 Reale cob was once punch-cut in hurry, destined to buy rum, cannonballs, or the loyalty of a salty crew.

Now set as a 14K gold pendant, this piece isn’t just coin — it’s wearable history.
Imagine the hands that held it — merchants, privateers, maybe even pirates — all feeling its weight beneath the Caribbean sun.

🪙 Claim this treasure: Cannon Beach Treasure

🪙 Mid-Treasure Tier — Ancient Pirate Coins (1400–1695) in Glass Case

A hearty mix of authentic coins spanning almost three centuries of maritime history — this glass-cased set is a compact trove perfect for any collector or deckhand with eyes on the horizon.

Each coin bears the wear and whisper of passage through many hands — sailors, traders, and perhaps a few cutthroat buccaneers — making it a richly storied piece of the pirate economy.

🪙 View this hoard: Collect Curiously

⚓ Deckhand Tier — Pirate Legend Coin, 1718 (Replica from Pirates of World War II)

For those who want flair without emptying their chest of gold: this pirate legend coin featured in Pirates of World War II brings the myth alive. A fine replica that’s perfect for costume, story nights around the hearth, or tucked in your pocket as a charm against mutiny.

It might not buy you a barrel of rum, but it’ll make every tale sound a little richer.

🪙 Add this piece to your collection: Our own Pirate Republic

🏴‍☠️ A Toast to the Treasure Hunters

Whether ye be spending gold like a Caribbean governor, hoarding silver like a privateer, or just looking for a bit o’ pirate flair, these coins are fine picks to add to any sailor’s chest.

May your prospects be rich and your rum ever free.

Captain Sebastian’s Long Beach Pirate Social & Brunch

📍 Shenanigans Irish Pub & Grille
423 Shoreline Village Drive A, Long Beach, CA
🕚 Saturday at 11:00 AM

Hoist yer tankards and polish yer finest garb, mates — for on December 13th, our good friend Captain Sebastian invites all hands to a lively pirate social and brunch at Shenanigans Irish Pub in Shoreline Village!

This be no ordinary gathering. Expect:

⚓ Feasting & fine grog (and sober sailor options too)
⚓ Photo opportunities with Captain Sebastian & Captain C Ray
⚓ Captain Dan of Devil’s Gauntlet in attendance
⚓ Live band at 2:00 PM to keep the decks lively
⚓ A full day of camaraderie, mischief, and maritime merriment

Bring yer best pirate attire — coats, hats, blades, boots, beads — the works. The Captains will be present in full regalia, ready to toast, laugh, and spin tales with all who join.

Tap the link to join the muster:
https://fb.me/24kOBF41N6UX2UO

Raise a glass, ye scoundrels — this one’s sure to be a beautiful bit of chaos in Long Beach.

☠️ OUTRO

From Rackham stealing a fortune in the dead of night, to Drake sailing headlong into the unknown, one truth rings clear across the centuries:

Pirates don’t wait for permission.
They move when the tide is right.

Whether you’re slipping a ship from harbor, chasing your own horizon, or raising a mug with fellow rogues at a seaside tavern, remember — history favors the bold, the prepared, and the slightly mad.

Until next tide, mates…
Keep your eyes sharp, your course true, and your spirit restless. 🏴‍☠️⚓

🗣️ 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!