What Happened to the Pirates of Old?
During the early 1700s, organized governments had little control over piracy. Pirates in North America and the Caribbean had the advantage of being able to hide among the small islands, inlets, and rivers that these locations afforded. The Royal Navy of England had a great fleet of warships, but they were focused on fighting the French.
Also, it was difficult for them to deal with pirates who were thousands of miles away from Britain. Colonial America had a few powerful warships that could easily defeat pirate ships, but they weren’t enough to deal with the high number of pirate ships plundering its coast.
In most countries, they were no clear laws detailing punishments for captured pirates other than laws in England that stated pirates had to be tried there, even though it was difficult to ship a pirate such a long distance.
The government in Colonial America and England were aware of the pirate problem, and they took steps to deal with it. England, for example, decided to grant pardons to pirates who turned themselves in, meaning the pirate was forgiven by the government for breaking the law and wouldn't be punished.
Some pirates took advantage of the pardons because they didn't want to face the terrible consequences of being caught and tried by the courts. One of the most gruesome ways England and Colonial America dealt with captured pirates was to hang them in public. Pirates who were caught were imprisoned and quickly brought to trial.
They were sentenced to death if found guilty. A special wooden frame—called gallows—complete with a rope and noose was custom-built for each hanging. Hundreds of boats would fill the Thames River and spectators lined the banks and docks near London to witness pirates being hanged.
When pirates were caught and put on trial, they were usually convicted. Public outcry against piracy and the government’s concerns that pirate attacks would cripple merchant trade caused many pirates to be hanged. However, though hundreds of pirates were brought to trial, scores more were never caught.
By the mid-1700s, there were fewer organized bands of pirates for many reasons. The advent of steam-powered ships enabled navies to “sail” against the wind and capture pirate ships that depended on sail for power. Also, navies like America’s didn’t require the use of privateers after the War of Independence and the War of 1812, so there were fewer “licensed” pirates.
The large number of pirate executions during the early 1700s was another deterrent for anyone considering a career as a pirate.
Also, it was difficult for them to deal with pirates who were thousands of miles away from Britain. Colonial America had a few powerful warships that could easily defeat pirate ships, but they weren’t enough to deal with the high number of pirate ships plundering its coast.
In most countries, they were no clear laws detailing punishments for captured pirates other than laws in England that stated pirates had to be tried there, even though it was difficult to ship a pirate such a long distance.
The government in Colonial America and England were aware of the pirate problem, and they took steps to deal with it. England, for example, decided to grant pardons to pirates who turned themselves in, meaning the pirate was forgiven by the government for breaking the law and wouldn't be punished.
Some pirates took advantage of the pardons because they didn't want to face the terrible consequences of being caught and tried by the courts. One of the most gruesome ways England and Colonial America dealt with captured pirates was to hang them in public. Pirates who were caught were imprisoned and quickly brought to trial.
They were sentenced to death if found guilty. A special wooden frame—called gallows—complete with a rope and noose was custom-built for each hanging. Hundreds of boats would fill the Thames River and spectators lined the banks and docks near London to witness pirates being hanged.
When pirates were caught and put on trial, they were usually convicted. Public outcry against piracy and the government’s concerns that pirate attacks would cripple merchant trade caused many pirates to be hanged. However, though hundreds of pirates were brought to trial, scores more were never caught.
By the mid-1700s, there were fewer organized bands of pirates for many reasons. The advent of steam-powered ships enabled navies to “sail” against the wind and capture pirate ships that depended on sail for power. Also, navies like America’s didn’t require the use of privateers after the War of Independence and the War of 1812, so there were fewer “licensed” pirates.
The large number of pirate executions during the early 1700s was another deterrent for anyone considering a career as a pirate.
Did You Know?
Some pirates’ bodies—especially the famous ones like Captain Kidd—were placed in a full-body steel harness called gibbet chains after the hanging, and hung along the shores for sailors to see as they passed by. This gruesome public display was a friendly reminder of what would happen to those who followed a life of piracy.