Black Bart

One of the most fierce pirates of all time, Bart’s beginning seemed rather modest by comparison to the end of his life. Yes, the raider on the high seas once stood as a common man until the captain of a ship fell from a bullet wound.

He stepped into the role of captain and powered his way over the oceans. Upon various excursions, Bart captured ships and made his name inscribed into the history books forever.

He warred against nations. His temperament remained even, even when faced with apparently insurmountable odds.

With all the ships he captured, his legend grew. His exploits led to the cessation of trade in the Caribbean for the most part.

Fights between and among other ships continued throughout Black Bart’s career. Whenever he captured a ship, it deepened his commitment to his men and his ability to be a leader, if that’s possible.

The 18th century didn’t have a robust United States Navy or United States Coast Guard. So, it was easy for Black Bart to go from country to country and plunder any ship from whatever coast.

For all his fame and knowledge of the sea, it brought him to a place of “greatness.” The quotes are there because it’s a question whether a thief can be great.

The swashbuckler brought with him the ideas of the day: rape, plunder, steal, repeat. While it has not always been noted he raped anyone, it is certain that he and his men snagged scores of ships in his day.

Bartholomew Roberts displayed a panache that resonated with his crew. He would not have been able to seize so many vessels without the respect of the men under his command.

Black Bart felt the power of being a leader without it going to his head. He wasn’t tyrannical or cruel, allegedly. Instead, he just enjoyed his role as the head dog on the ships.

John Roberts only acquired the handle “Black Bart” long after his death. That death came with the grapeshot from a cannon. The projectile entered his neck and he exited this life to go the unknown and unknowable.

Legacies continue. Black Bart has been featured in novels and on the big screen. People have walked the planks with curtains and lights rather than the plank to their doom portraying the pirate.

A prediction of a short life came to fruition when Black Bart couldn’t escape that grapeshot. But his name still conjures up a man with a sword surveying the seas.

In the centuries that have passed since Black Bart’s demise, historians still debate whether he had really captured all of those ships.

Professors debate why Black Bart had even put himself in harm’s way when he could have ordered his men to safeguard his vessel.

He, nevertheless, is part of folklore. He is the lead component in all the literature of pirates and robbers during that harrowing time period. The ideal of Black Bart blazing a trail of treasure and wonder across a few years still titillates and fascinates millions of people.

As he had lived the life of a pirate, so did he die one. In his death, he brought back the notion of the captain who guided souls on ships from port to port. Though he projected himself as a criminal, his saving grace will always be his attention to detail and his ability to stand up to a fight.

For this, he will continue to be the man who has brought the will of his men to ever greater heights. Still a low down dirty scoundrel, Black Bart appears to still be remembered for his better qualities, whatever they were.