STEDE BONNET

1688 – 1718

While some pirates became plantation owners after their careers on the high seas, Bonnet started that way and was known as the ‘Gentleman Pirate’. He was wealthy enough to buy his own ship and hire a crew of 70.

He fell in with Blackbeard and gave up control of his ship to the more experienced seaman. Bonnet took the pardon in

1718 but went back to piracy soon after.