English Pirate – Early 18th Century

Kevin GraelerMaisam Naqvi

John Rackham was given the nickname “Calico Jack” because of the calico clothing he often wore.

Born in Jamaica in 1682.

Family was of English decent.

Not much is known about his early life.

First Record of Calico Jack: 1718- part of the crew on Charles Vane’s ship the Ranger

November 1718: Calico Jack convinced his crew members on Vane’s ship that he was unworthy to be captain the crew voted to have him removed from his position.

CALICO JACK was now captain.

His crew took over the Kingston, a small Jamaican ship. The crew made this their main ship.

His crew had several missions in the West Indies. The crew won a few big ships from Bermuda.

Rackam and his crew eleven others stole William, an anchored warship

Not too much else

Rackham is most remembered for two things:

1.) he created the Jolly Roger flag (to the right), which still to this day represents pirates.

2.) When he was captain, Rackham’s crew included two women, his wife Anne Bonny and Mary Read.

While at a port at one point during Rackham’s career as a captain, Rackham began an affair with Anne Bonny, who was already married.

Anne’s husband found out about the affair and ordered to the governor that Anne should be whipped.

Rackham and Anne ran away together, found a new crew, and escaped to sea. Anne disguised herself as a male.

The new crew sailed in the Caribbean the next several months, and took over a few other pirate ships.

Interesting Strategy: “Calico Jack” many times was known to invite the crew of ships he attacked successfully to become a part of his own crew.

Many members of Rackham’s crew might not have known Bonny’s true gender.

Rackham’s ship soon came across a “Dutch merchant vessel”. Mary Read was a sailor on that ship. Rackham’s crew took over the ship and Mary Read joined their crew.

BACKGROUND ON MARY READ

Mary Read, known by Mark on the ship, had recently experienced the death of her husband and then decided to disguise herself as a male went to sea.

Rackham did not realize her gender at first, and he offered and welcomed Mary Read on his ship to join his crew.

Despite learning the secret of her gender, Rackham still let her stay with the crew.

Calico Jack Runs into Trouble

Fall 1720- Rackham and his crew were out on the water close to Jamaica.

They were having success capturing small fishing boats.

November 1720- Rackham and his crew came across a small ship whose crew consisted of nine English pirates.

Rackham's ship was attacked by the ship, which was sent by Governor Nicholas Lawes, and was captured. Lawes objected piracy and wanted to see it ended. ‘Calico Jack’ had previously been told that he could not continue his piracy in the Caribbean. However, Rackham never cared and continued to do whatever he wanted to do.

Rackham and his crew were brought to Jamaica, where he and nearly all of his crew members were sentenced to be hanged.

The crew was tried and convicted in Jamaica in November1720.

Rackham was hanged at Gallows Point on November 18, 1720.

Anne Bonny and Mary Read both said that they were pregnant at their trials, and so they were given a temporary free pass.

Read died in April 1721 of fever related to childbirth.

Bonny was not executed and then she disappeared from all historical records.

All 9 of the men who were part of Rackham's crew were tried and found guilty in Jan.1720, and all nine of them were hanged in Feb. 1720.