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Bartholomew Roberts

Bartholomew Roberts (1682–1722), also known as Black Bart, was one of the most successful and notorious pirates of the Golden…

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Bartholomew Roberts (1682–1722), also known as Black Bart, was one of the most successful and notorious pirates of the Golden Age of Piracy. Active in the early 18th century, Roberts is famous for his daring raids, leadership skills, and the vast number of ships he captured—estimated at more than 400 during his short but highly impactful pirate career. Despite his fearsome reputation, Roberts was known for enforcing strict discipline aboard his ship and operating with a level of professionalism uncommon among pirates.

Early Life
Birth Name and Early Career: Bartholomew Roberts was born John Roberts in 1682 in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Little is known about his early life, but he likely went to sea at a young age, working aboard merchant and slaving ships. He changed his name to Bartholomew after becoming a pirate, possibly inspired by the famous pirate Bartholomew Sharp.

Service on Slave Ships: Roberts served as a third mate aboard the Princess, a British slave ship operating off the coast of West Africa. His life as a pirate began when the Princess was captured by a pirate crew led by Howell Davis in 1719. Davis forced Roberts and other crew members to join his pirate band.

Becoming a Pirate Captain
Howell Davis’s Death: Just weeks after Roberts was captured and forced into piracy, Captain Davis was killed in an ambush on the island of Principe in the Gulf of Guinea. With the pirate crew leaderless, Roberts was surprisingly elected captain. Though he was relatively new to piracy, his experience as a sailor, combined with his charisma and leadership skills, convinced the crew he was the right choice.

Reluctant Start: Initially, Roberts was reluctant to embrace the pirate life. However, once he became captain, he quickly grew to enjoy it and pursued piracy with exceptional skill and determination. He is famously quoted as saying, “In an honest service there is thin commons, low wages, and hard labor; in this, plenty and satiety, pleasure and ease, liberty and power.”

Pirate Career and Major Raids
Roberts’ pirate career lasted from 1719 to 1722, and in that time, he became one of the most feared and successful pirates of the era. He conducted daring raids across the Atlantic Ocean, including off the coast of West Africa, the Caribbean, and North America, targeting merchant vessels, slave ships, and occasionally military ships.

West African Raids:
After assuming command, Roberts led his crew on a series of raids along the West African coast, plundering Portuguese and British ships. One of his most notable early exploits was the capture of a rich Portuguese treasure ship in 1720, which made him and his crew immensely wealthy.

Roberts also exacted revenge on the Island of Principe, where Howell Davis had been killed, by sacking the island and burning the town. This act of vengeance further solidified his reputation as a bold and ruthless pirate.

Caribbean Campaign:
After his successes in Africa, Roberts sailed across the Atlantic to the Caribbean in search of more prizes. His Caribbean raids became legendary, where he captured several ships in quick succession, including merchant vessels and military convoys.

Battle of St. Kitts: In 1720, Roberts engaged a French warship off the coast of St. Kitts, demonstrating his willingness to take on heavily armed adversaries. He was able to escape despite being outgunned, showcasing his tactical skill as a pirate captain.

Raids on North America:
In 1720–1721, Roberts shifted his operations to the east coast of North America, where he plundered ships off the coasts of Virginia, Newfoundland, and Canada. He looted ships in the Newfoundland fishing fleet, capturing dozens of vessels and leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

One of his most famous North American exploits was the capture of the Governor of Martinique, whom he hanged as retaliation for French efforts to capture him. Roberts had a particular grudge against the French and reportedly flew a black flag depicting a pirate standing on two skulls, representing a dead Barbadian and Martiniquian—his enemies.

Pirate Code
Strict Discipline: Unlike many pirates of the time, Roberts enforced a strict code of conduct among his crew, known as the Pirate Code or Articles of Agreement. His code regulated behavior aboard the ship, covering issues like theft, gambling, and the distribution of loot. Violations of the code were met with harsh punishment, which allowed Roberts to maintain discipline and order.

Pirate Articles: Among the key provisions of Roberts’ pirate code were:
No gambling or fighting aboard the ship.
Lights out at 8 p.m.
Equal distribution of plunder.
Compensation for injuries suffered in battle, with payments for lost limbs or other serious injuries.

Roberts’ leadership style, which combined charisma and discipline, earned him the respect and loyalty of his crew.

Capture and Death
Pursuit by the Royal Navy:
By 1722, Bartholomew Roberts had become infamous, and the British Royal Navy launched a concerted effort to capture him. The governor of Barbados sent a squadron of warships under Captain Chaloner Ogle to hunt down Roberts and end his reign of terror.

Battle of Cape Lopez:
Roberts’ pirate career came to an end on February 10, 1722, at the Battle of Cape Lopez off the coast of modern-day Gabon, West Africa. Captain Ogle’s warship, the HMS Swallow, engaged Roberts’ flagship, the Royal Fortune. During the battle, Roberts was struck by grapeshot and killed instantly while standing on the deck.

Aftermath of His Death: Following Roberts’ death, his crew, now leaderless, was overwhelmed and captured by the Royal Navy. The captured pirates were taken to Cape Coast Castle (in modern-day Ghana) and tried for piracy. Many of them were executed, marking the end of one of the most notorious pirate crews of the Golden Age.

Legacy and Influence
Record-Breaking Pirate: Bartholomew Roberts is considered one of the most successful pirates in history, capturing over 400 ships during his career—far more than famous pirates like Blackbeard or Captain Kidd. His skill as a tactician, his strict command, and his daring raids made him a legendary figure in pirate history.

Professionalism: Roberts’ professional approach to piracy, including his Pirate Code, set him apart from other pirate captains of the time. He is often remembered for his ability to maintain a disciplined crew, ensuring that his piracy operations ran smoothly and efficiently.

End of the Golden Age of Piracy: Roberts’ death in 1722 is often considered one of the final major events of the Golden Age of Piracy. With his death and the subsequent capture and execution of his crew, piracy in the Atlantic and Caribbean began to decline, as the Royal Navy intensified its efforts to eliminate piracy from the seas.

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