Quote Originally Posted by Panache View Post
I would have to disagree with both Roberts and Blackbeard as candidates for the "best pirate of all time". You can keep Captain's Kidd and "Calico Jack" Rackham and the all the others as well. In my mind the world's greatest pirate was none other than Henry Morgan. Though he would have prefered to be called a privateer. He had a colorful career and wound up knighted and then made the Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica. He died a wealthy man in Port Royal in 1688. Now that's the way to end your swashbuckling career!



Cheers
Ok, I'll not get into that fight. The term "best" can have different meanings. Some could argue "Long Ben" Every/Avery as the best, as he retired into obscurity with his money. Some would not even count Morgan as a pirate, but as a soldier who lead some buccaneer privateers with the full backing of the English government. Same with Drake and Hawkins. If fame is "best," then Blackbeard wins hands down, with Kidd as a runner (though his "pirate" career was a messy disaster). Tew (the one Kidd was sent to capture) could also be argued. I feel that the "Best Pirate" should go to the one who was OPENLY a pirate (NOT a matter of prespective) AND captured A LOT of ships (400) during a relatively long career (many went weeks or months as pirates, Blackbeard was 18 months, while Roberts went 3 years and escaped hanging by death in battle as his crew hid).
Many privateers are also considered pirates (like John Paul Jones by the english in the American Revolution, though Jones saw himself as a American naval officer). To me, a pirate must consider himself to be a pirate, then it (best) goes to the most captures and reputation (notoriety and character/memorability).
Rackham is known mainly through his 2 women crew, Anne Bonny and Mary Reed. Rackham himself was not too successful otherwise. Vane was successful in captures, as was England, but both were kicked out by their own crew for percieved cowardness.

I could go on. If anyone wants to continue, lets either go to PMs or a new thread in Off Topic.

Back to topic, the shirt is acceptable, but not liked or worn by many. Some notables, however, LOVE THEM.
Get one and wear it if you want, or don't if you feel so inclined.