1 of 3

Write now Article Tools

Miami and it's pirate history

Pirates of the Caribbean and its two sequels were blockbuster hits, and they spawned a love of pirates, despite their malicious nature. However, many people do not realize that there really were pirates in these waters. They may not have looked as good or have had the sense of humor of Jack Sparrow, but they were the true pirates of the Caribbean.

The Start of Piracy

After Columbus stumbled upon the New World, Spain's ownership encompassed the surrounding waters, as well. What is, today, called the Caribbean, then became known as the Spanish Main. France, England, and the Netherlands all hired privateers, or privately-owned ships and crews, to interfere with the Spaniards' work so they, too, could reap benefits from the rich waters. The privateers would raid treasures from the Spanish fleets and split the prize with the country that endorsed them. Once some of these privateers saw the amount of wealth available, they became greedy. They wanted to keep the findings for themselves, and so transitioned from privateering to piracy, where the crew is not authorized by any country to carry out its actions.

Although the land of Florida did not have much wealth to offer, its location made it a great area for ports. Fleets would often load their treasure cargo while on the shores of southern Florida, before setting sail for Spain. Pirates who knew of these ports would attack the fleets before they got too far. Runaway slaves, poor youth, and other cutthroats, as rouging as the pirates, also came in search of fortune.

Though occupied by the Tequesta Indians for many years prior, Miami, named Chequescha, was claimed in 1566 by Pedro Menendez de Aviles. King Philip II assigned Don Pedro to the position of governor here, with the goal of ridding the area of pirates and keeping all of Florida under Spanish control. He performed his duties well, however, he was killed in a 1574 battle against the British.

When a devastating hurricane stormed through the Caribbean in 1622, it grasped several booty -loaded ships from a 28-fleet convoy headed to Spain. With no major fighters to stop them, pirates flocked to the waters and the coasts of Florida in order to salvage floating riches and collect what washed ashore. Shipwreck survivors were often captured if thought to know where the sunken cache may lie.

Famous Pirates

Some of the most notorious pirates were known to scour the Caribbean waters off the coast of Miami. Blackbeard, Calico Jack, and Gasparilla were

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Miami and its pirate history?
We want to hear your view. Write now!