Pirate Lore

Pirate Legend Oliver Lavasseur's Legacy Lives On

Oliver Lavasseur, a name that strikes fear and fascination in equal measure, remains one of history's most notorious pirates. Known as "La Buse" (The Buzzard), Lavasseur's exploits have become the stuff of legend, with tales of his daring raids and elusive treasure captivating imaginations for centuries.

Lavasseur's greatest plunder is shrouded in mystery, but none can deny the magnitude of his exploits. His crowning achievement came in 1721 when he captured the Portuguese vessel Nossa Senhora do Cabo, rumored to be laden with immense riches. The treasure, estimated to be worth millions in today's currency, cemented Lavasseur's reputation as one of the most successful pirates of his time.

However, Lavasseur's reign of terror came to a dramatic end when he was captured by the French authorities in 1730. Sentenced to hang for his crimes, Lavasseur faced his fate with defiance, reportedly throwing a cryptic message into the crowd before his execution. The message, a cryptogram that has puzzled historians and treasure hunters for centuries, is believed to contain clues to the whereabouts of Lavasseur's hidden fortune.

The mystery surrounding Lavasseur's treasure has spawned countless expeditions and fueled the imaginations of treasure hunters worldwide. Despite extensive efforts to decipher the cryptogram, the location of Lavasseur's treasure remains elusive, adding to its allure and ensuring that the legend of La Buse endures.

As the years pass, the story of Oliver Lavasseur continues to capture the imagination of adventurers and historians alike. Whether his treasure will ever be found remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the legacy of this infamous pirate will live on for generations to come, ensuring that the tale of La Buse remains an enduring symbol of the golden age of piracy.

The real Calico Jack Rackham

Pirate Calico Jack Rackham history channel story and facts

The History Channel article about Jack's short but colorful career spanning just two years, but in that time, Calico Jack earned his place in history as the flamboyant pirate captain who set sail with the two most famous female pirates of all time.

Top 5 Pirate Myths

Pirate myths and legends and lore about walking the plank real facts about pirates

No 5 - Walking the plank

"Arghh, walk the plank ye filthy bilge rat!"

Walking the plank is a work of fiction created by novelist and screenwriters. There is no historical accounts of this punishment being used. But Keel-hauling was used by pirates as well as Navies as a punishment and torture. Keel-hauling is when a sailor is suspended from a rope attached to the mast of the ship with weights attached to their legs. Using the ropes the victim is dropped into the sea and dragged below the ship along the keel that was covered with barnacles causing many lacerations usually ending in the death of the sailor.

No 4 - Pirate Talk

"Arrrg, Matey Avast!"

Pirate speak has been well emphasized by books and movies for as long as we can remember but in historical context pirates spoke as any sailor of their time would have. A lot of the successful pirates started out in the Navies of their countries and some would have been considered educated by the standards of the time. This leads historians to believe that their vocabulary would have been similar to other men and women they came in contact with. "Arrrg, pass them potatoes Gov'nor."

No 3 - Pirates flew the Jolly Roger

This myth is true! Almost all pirates of the Golden Age (1650s-1730s) flew the black flag. Many adopted versions that utilized a skull or skeleton, as well as a cutlass or two. Most pirate captains would fly a friendly flag of England, France or Spain as they approached a fat merchant ship only to raise the black once they were close enough to engage in battle.

No 2 - Rum was the drink of choice on a Pirate ship

"Pour me a tankard of Rum me matey!"

This myth is close to being true. Fresh water could be in short supply on board a pirate ship so Rum would be flowing as well. To conserve supplies and stave off scurvy Rum would become Grog - a mixture of Rum, lemon juice, water and sugar - Just what any growing pirate would need!

No 1 - Pirates bury their treasure

X Marks the Spot!

Pirates did not bury their treasure, most never had much gold and silver sitting around in chests to hide away. Pirates raided merchant ships, so much of the treasure they acquired was in the form of commodities like sugar, textiles, tobacco, etc. The pirate crew would never stand for the booty to lay hidden somewhere with trust in short supply. They wanted the spoils to be split among all the members immediately on arrival to port. Even after they arrived at a town where they might dispose of the goods, it might take time for the quartermaster to sell all the ill-gotten-gains so that the funds could be divided. The act of burying treasure turns out to be a myth or stretch of the truth.

TOP 5 Richest Pirates

These are the top 5 richest pirates during the 1600 and 1700s. The dollar amounts are in todays dollars.

5. Black Bart Roberts - 32 million

Bartholomew Roberts was a Welsh pirate known for his dashing looks and skills as a navigator. Credited as the creator of the Pirate Code, Roberts successfully took over 400 ships during his years as a pirate. His nickname was the "Dread Pirate Roberts" which you may recognize from the movie "Princess Bride" in which the main character was based upon his persona.

4. John Bowen - 40 million

"Johnny boy" Bowen was a Creole pirate who had a short but very lucrative career. He was only on the pirate scene for four years before he amassed his fortune. He was originally captured by French pirates before becoming one himself. Poor Johnny boy died six months into his retirement from an unknown intestinal disease at his home in Madagascar.

3. Thomas Tew - 103 million

Thomas Tew pioneered the "Pirate Round" a route around Cape Horn that intercepted the lucrative trade routes from the Indian Ocean. He was so successful plundering this trade route that other pirates followed in his foot steps for generations. Tew wasn't able to spend much of his fortune as he died in battle at the ripe old age of 46.

2. Sir Francis Drake - 115 million

Francis Drake was the first pirate to circumvent the globe. The Spanish named this pirate El Draque and what a fearsome, torn in the side of the Spanish Crown he was that they offered a million dollar bounty for his head. Drake defeated a whole Spanish Armada and continued to plunder Spanish merchants amassing an enormous fortune.

1. Black Sam Bellamy - 120 million

Sam Bellamy was barely active in the Caribbean a year when he took the galleon named Whydah which turned out to be one of the largest pirate prizes ever with 5 tons of treasure on board. Unfortunately he and his crew didn't live long enough to spend any of it. Bellamy and his crew went down off the coast of New England as he sailed to reunite with his one true love.