Sunday, February 10, 2013

Seafaring Sunday: A Pirate's Death

February 10, 1722: Bartholomew Roberts, known as "Black Bart", the reluctant pirate who was certainly one of the most successful freebooting captains of the Golden Age, meets his end aboard his ship Royal Fortune. Caught in a firefight with HMS Swallow, Roberts died on deck of wounds to his throat and chest from a blast of grapeshot. He was quickly buried at sea by his crew, still wearing a beautiful coat of crimson brocade.

Header: Captain Bartholomew Roberts by Edward Mortelmans c 1970 via IAG
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2 comments:

  1. Timmy!February 11, 2013 at 4:46 PM

    I seem to recall that he also wore a giant golden cross around his neck as well, Pauline...

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  2. PaulineFebruary 12, 2013 at 8:31 AM

    He did. It was encrusted, the legends say, with diamonds and rubies. If that was the case, I find it hard to believe his body went overboard still wearing it, though.

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