The Dread Pirate Stede Bonnet

From Wikipedia.

Known as the "Gentleman Pirate" because he was a moderately wealthy landowner before turning to piracy. There was no mention of his gentlemanly conduct toward captives or captured ships.

Born in Barbados around 1688 and inherited his father's estate. Possible marital problems cause him to become a pirate although he had no sea experience.

He became a pirate in 1717 and bought a ship called the Revenge. Wounded in a fight with a Spanish warship. In Nassau, he met Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. Bonnet sailed with him for awhile, capturing ships, until he was unable to capture one shipand his crew went over to Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge. Bonnet then was a guest on that ship for awhile.

In 1718, he was pardoned by North carolina's governor, but decided to turn to piracy again. Not wanting to give up his pardon, Bonnet adopted the name Captain Thomas.

After his capture, hedid manage to escape, but was recaptured.

The Life of a Pirate. --Old Coot

Stede Bonnet Marker to Be Dedicated

The Friends of the Southport Maritime Museum in Southport, North Carolina, will dedicate the Stede Bonnet historical marker on September 26th. My wife and I will probably be in the area then and might just attend it. She has become quite a "Pirate" fan since the Pirates oif the Caribbean movies have been released. A reception will follow at the museum.

Stede Bonnet was nicknamed the "Gentleman Pirate. Col.William Rhett of Charleston, SC, led an expeditionthat captured Bonnet September 26, 1718 in Smithville Harbor. Bonnet was hanged in Charleston in December 1718.

Oh, the Life of a Pirate. --Old Coot