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One of the most famous pirates was a dude by the name of Frances Drake. Queen Elizabeth I had him attack Spanish ships in the Virgin Islands that were loaded with gold. He did such a good job, that when he finally returned to England, the Queen knighted him, “Sir Frances Drake.” The main waters you will be sailing in are named after him – The Sir Frances Drake Channel.
Spain was the most powerful nation in the world during that time. Other countries were happy to see pirates steal treasure intended for Spain. While the Spanish were distracted fighting the pirates, the English, French and Dutch were able to move in and set up colonies in the West Indies. The term, “buccaneer”, comes from the French word for pirate. |
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The ideal pirate ship was small and fast. They usually carried up to 75 men. The pirates would sneak our from the coast in poor light to spring upon slow moving ships loaded with gold and other treasures. The Virgin Islands made an excellent hunting ground with their many coves and passages. Situated right on the treasure route from South America to Europe, the area was visited by many famous Caribbean pirates including Edward England, Charles Vane, Calico Jack, and the most famous – Blackbeard- who would go into battle with slow-burning matches lighted in his beard and behind his ears to make him look really scary. Blackbeard hid his treasure in the
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