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Piracy

Piracy is robbery Robbery

Robbery is the crime [i] of seizing property [i] through violence [i] or intimidation [i]. ... 

 committed at sea, or sometimes on the shore, by an agent without a commission from a sovereign nation. One who commits piracy by engaging in robbery, pillaging, or plundering at sea is known as a pirate. Seaborne piracy against transport vessels remains a significant issue , particularly in the waters between the Pacific Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the world's largest body of water [i]. ... 

 and Indian Ocean Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the third largest body of water in the world, covering about 20% of the Earth's wate... 

s, off the Somali Somalia

Somalia , formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic, is a coastal nation at the Horn of Africa [i] ... 

 coast, and in the Strait of Malacca Strait of Malacca

The Strait [i] of Malacca is a narrow stretch of water between Peninsular Malaysia [i] and the Indonesia [i] ... 

 and Singapore Singapore

Singapore, formally the Republic of Singapore , is an island [i] city-state [i] and ... 

, which are used by over 50,000 commercial ships a year. A recent surge in piracy off the Somali coast spurred a multi-national effort led by the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 to patrol the waters near the Horn of Africa Horn of Africa

The Horn of Africa or Somali Peninsula is a peninsula [i] of East Africa [i] that juts for hundred ... 

 to combat piracy.

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Timeline

1560   The great age of piracy in the Caribbean Caribbean

The Caribbean is a region [i] of the Americas [i] consisting of the Caribbean Sea [i], its island [i]s ... 

 starts around this time.

1861   In Britain, the death penalty is limited to murder, embezzlement, piracy and to acts of arson Arson

Arson is the crime [i] of setting a fire [i] with intent to cause damage. ... 

 perpetrated upon docks or ammunition depots.



Encyclopedia



Piracy is robbery Robbery

Robbery is the crime [i] of seizing property [i] through violence [i] or intimidation [i]. ... 

 committed at sea, or sometimes on the shore, by an agent without a commission from a sovereign nation. One who commits piracy by engaging in robbery, pillaging, or plundering at sea is known as a pirate. Seaborne piracy against transport vessels remains a significant issue , particularly in the waters between the Pacific Pacific Ocean

The Pacific Ocean is the world's largest body of water [i]. ... 

 and Indian Ocean Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the third largest body of water in the world, covering about 20% of the Earth's wate... 

s, off the Somali Somalia

Somalia , formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic, is a coastal nation at the Horn of Africa [i] ... 

 coast, and in the Strait of Malacca Strait of Malacca

The Strait [i] of Malacca is a narrow stretch of water between Peninsular Malaysia [i] and the Indonesia [i] ... 

 and Singapore Singapore

Singapore, formally the Republic of Singapore , is an island [i] city-state [i] and ... 

, which are used by over 50,000 commercial ships a year. A recent surge in piracy off the Somali coast spurred a multi-national effort led by the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

 to patrol the waters near the Horn of Africa Horn of Africa

The Horn of Africa or Somali Peninsula is a peninsula [i] of East Africa [i] that juts for hundred ... 

 to combat piracy. While boats off the coasts of South America South America

South America is a continent [i] situated in the western hemisphere [i] and, mostly, ... 

 and the Mediterranean Sea Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea is a part of the Atlantic Ocean [i] almost completely enclosed by land: on the nor... 

 are still assailed by pirates, the advent of the United States Coast Guard United States Coast Guard

The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States [i] armed forces [i] ... 

 has nearly eradicated piracy in U.S. waters and the Caribbean Sea Caribbean Sea

[image:IMG_2908.JPG|thumb|250px|right|A Caribbean beach in Isla Margarita [i], Venezuela [i].]] [i]
... 

. The Jolly Roger Jolly Roger

The Jolly Roger is the traditional flag [i] of European and American pirate [i]s, envisioned today as a ... 

 is the traditional flag Flag

A flag is a piece of cloth [i], often flown from a pole [i] or mast [i], generally used for signalling o ... 

 of European and American pirates.

Antiquity

The earliest documented incidence of piracy are the exploits of the Sea Peoples who threatened the Aegean in the 13th century BC. In Classical Antiquity Classical antiquity

Classical antiquity is a broad term for a long period of cultural history [i] centered on the Mediterranean Sea [i] ... 

, the Tyrrhenians and Thracians Thracians

Thracians in an ethnic sense refers to various ancient peoples who spoke Dacian [i] and ... 

 were known as pirates. The island of Lemnos Lemnos

Lemnos, an island in the northern part of the Aegean Sea [i]. ... 

 long resisted Greek Ancient Greece

Ancient Greece is the period in Greek history [i] which lasted for around one thousand years and ended w ... 

 influence and remained a haven for Thracian pirates. The Latin Latin

Latin is an ancient Indo-European language [i] originally spoken in Latium [i], ... 

 term pirata, from which the English English language

English is a widely distributed language that originated in England [i] but is now the primary language ... 

 "pirate" is derived, derives ultimately from Greek peira "attack, attempt", cognate to peril. By the 1st century BC, there were pirate states along the Anatolia Anatolia

Anatolia is a region of Southwest Asia [i] which corresponds today to the Asiatic portion of Turkey [i] ... 

n coast, threatening the commerce of the Roman Empire Roman Empire

The Roman Empire was a phase of the ancient Roman [i] civilization characterized by an autocratic [i] ... 

. When Sulla Lucius Cornelius Sulla

Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix Roman general [i] and dictator [i], was usually known simply as Sulla ... 

 died in 78 BC, Julius Caesar Julius Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar , July 12 [i] or July 13 [i], 100 BC [i] – March 15 [i], 44 BC [i]) was a Roman [i] ... 

 returned to Rome Ancient Rome

Ancient Rome was a civilization [i] that grew out of the city-state [i] of Rome [i], founded in the Italian Peninsula [i] ... 

 as a lawyer, prosecuted Sulla's supporters, and headed to the Greek town of Rhodes Rhodes

[i] islands, and easternmost of the major islands of [[Greece]... 

 to study oratory. Pirates seized control of the vessel in 75 BC, kidnapped Caesar, and held him for ransom. After purchasing his freedom, he assembled a small army which captured the pirates and crucified Crucifixion

Crucifixion is an ancient method of execution [i], where the victim was tied or nailed to a l ... 

 them.
The Senate finally invested Pompey Pompey

Pompey, Pompey the Great or Pompey the Triumvir , was a distinguished military and polit... 

 with special powers to deal with piracy in 67 BC , and Pompey after three months of naval warfare managed to suppress the threat. In the 3rd century, pirate attacks on Olympus  brought impoverishment.

Among some of the most famous ancient pirateering peoples were the Illyrians, populating the western Balkan peninsula. Constantly raiding the Adriatic Sea Adriatic Sea

The Adriatic Sea is a large body of water on the west side of the Mediterranean Sea [i] separating the Apennine peninsula [i] ... 

, the Illyrians caused many conficts with the Roman Republic Roman Republic

The Roman Republic was a phase of the ancient Roman civilization [i] characterized by a republic [i]... 

. It was not until 68 BC that the Romans finally conquered Illyria and made it a province, ending their threat.

Early Polynesia Polynesia

Polynesia is a large grouping of over 1,000 island [i]s scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean [i]... 

n warriors attacked seaside and riverside villages. They used the sea for their hit-and-run tactics - a safe place to retreat to if the battle turned against them.

Middle Ages

After the Slavic Slavic peoples

The Slavic peoples are a linguistic and ethnic branch of Indo-European people [i]s, living mainly in Europe [i] ... 

 intrusions to the Balkan peninsula in the 5th and 6th centuries, the tribe of Nerentines were given in the first half of the 7th century the land of Pagania Pagania

Pagania, Merania or Neretvia, the Narentine Frontier was a Serb [i] tribe that set ... 

, between Croatian Dalmatia Dalmatia

Dalmatia is a region on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea [i], in modern Croatia [i], spreading be... 

 and Zachlumia Zahumlje

Zahumlje, also known as the Land of the Hum and Chelm, was a medieval [i] Serbian [i] princi... 

. These Slavs followed the old Illyrian pirateering habits and often raided the Adriatic Sea Adriatic Sea

The Adriatic Sea is a large body of water on the west side of the Mediterranean Sea [i] separating the Apennine peninsula [i] ... 

. Already in 642 they invaded southern Italia Italy in the Middle Ages

This is the history of Italy [i] during the Middle Ages [i]. ... 

 and assaulted Siponte in Benevento Benevento

Benevento is a town and comune [i] of Campania [i], Italy [i], capital of the province of Benevento [i] ... 

. Their raids in the Adriatic increased rapidly, until the whole Sea was no longer safe for any travels.

The "Narentines," as they were called, took more liberties in their raiding quests while the Venetian Navy was abroad - like when it was campaigning in the Sicilian waters in 827-828, and as soon as the Venetian Republic of Venice

The Most Serene Republic of Venice was a Venetia [i]n city-state [i] in Northeastern [i]... 

 fleet would return to the Adriatic, they temporarily abandoned their habits again - even signing a Treaty in Venice and baptising their Slavic pagan leader into Christianity. In 834-835 they broke the treaty and again raided Venetian traders returning from Benevento - and all of Venice's military attempts to punish the Marians in 839 and 840 had utterly failed. Later, they raided the Venetians more often together with the Arabs. In 846 the Narentines breached to Venice itself and raided its lagoon city of Kaorle. In the middle of March 870 they kidnapped the Roman Bishop's emissaries that were returning from the Ecclesiastical Council in Constantinople. This caused a Byzantine Byzantine Empire

Byzantine Empire is the term conventionally used since the 19th century [i] to describe the Greek-spea ... 

 military action against them that finally brought Christianity to them by the sword.

After the Arab raids of the Adriatic coast circa 872 and the retreat of the Imperial Navy, the Narentines resumed their raids of Venetian waters, causing new conflicts with the Italians in 887-888. The Narentine piracy traditions were cherished even while they were in Croatia Croatia

Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a country in Europe [i], at the crossroads of th ... 

, serving as the finest Croat warriors. The Venetians continued, though futilely, to fight them throughout the 10th-11th centuries.

Saint Patrick Saint Patrick

Saint Patrick was a missionary [i] and is regarded as the patron saint [i] of Ireland [i] . ... 

 was captured and enslaved by Irish Ireland

Ireland is the third largest [i] island [i] in Europe [i]. ... 

 pirates. The Vikings Viking

The term Viking commonly denotes the ship-borne explorers, traders, and warriors of the Norsemen [i] who ... 

 were Scandinavian pirates who attacked the British Isles and Europe from the sea.

In 937, Irish pirates sided with the Scots, Vikings, Picts Picts

he Picts were a confederation [i] of tribes in central and northern Scotland [i] from Roman [i] ... 

, and Welsh in their invasion of England. Athelstan Athelstan of England

Athelstan or elstan , called the Glorious, was the King of England [i] from ... 

 drove them back.

The ushkuiniks were Novgorod Velikiy Novgorod

Velikiy Novgorod is the foremost historic city of North-Western Russia [i]. ... 

's pirates who looted the cities on the Volga Volga River

The Volga, widely viewed as the national river of Russia [i], flows through the western part of the coun... 

 and Kama Rivers in the 14th century.

Piracy in East Asia


From the 13th century, Japan based Wokou Wokou

Wokou or Japanese pirates were pirate [i]s who raided the coastlines of China [i] and Korea [i] fr... 

 made their debut in East Asia East Asia

East Asia is a subregion [i] of Asia [i] that can be defined in either geographical [i] or cul ... 

, initiating invasions that would persist for 300 years.

Piracy in Eastern Europe

One example of pirate republic in Europe of XVI century was Zaporizhian Sich. Situated in the remote place of Steppe Steppe

In physical geography [i], a steppe , pronounced in English as step, is a plain [i] without tree [i] ... 

 it was populated with Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish peasants that run away from their feudal masters, outlaws of every sort, destitute gentry, run-away slaves from Turkish galleys Galley

The term galley can refer to any ship [i] propelled primarily by man-power, using oar [i]s. ... 

, etc. Remoteness of the place and rapids at the Dnepr Dnieper River

The Dnieper River is a river which flows from Russia [i] through Belarus [i] and then Ukraine [i].
... 

 river effectively guarded the place from invasions of revengeful powers. The main target of the inhabitants of Zaporizhian Sich who called themselves “Cossacks Cossack

Cossacks are a group of several peoples living in the southern steppe [i] regions of Eastern Europe [i] ... 

” were rich settlements at the Black Sea Black Sea

The Black Sea is an inland sea [i] between southeastern Europe [i] and Anatolia [i] that is actually a d ... 

 shores of Ottoman Empire Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire , is also sometimes known in the West [i] as the Turkish Empire. ... 

.

Piracy in the Caribbean



The great or classic era of piracy in the Caribbean Caribbean

The Caribbean is a region [i] of the Americas [i] consisting of the Caribbean Sea [i], its island [i]s... 

 extends from around 1560 up until the end of the Golden Age of Piracy Golden Age of Piracy

With the end of Queen Anne's War the Caribbean [i], Indian Ocean [i], and the West Coast of Africa [i] witness ... 

 in the 1730s. The period during which pirates were most successful was from the 1640s until the 1680s. Caribbean piracy arose out of, and mirrored on a smaller scale, the conflicts over trade and colonization among the rival European powers of the time, including England British Empire

The British Empire was the most extensive empire [i] in world history and for a ... 

, Spain Spanish Empire

The Spanish Empire was the first truly global empire [i].... 

, Dutch Dutch Empire

The Dutch Empire is the name given to the various territories controlled by the Netherlands [i] from the ... 

 United Provinces Dutch Republic

he Republic of the Seven United Netherlands was a Europe [i]an republic [i] between 1581 and 1795, in ... 

, and France French colonial empires

France [i] had colonial [i] possessions, in various forms, since the beginning of the 17th century [i] ... 

. Two of the best-known pirate bases were Tortuga Tortuga

Tortuga or Isla Tortuga, officially le de la Tortue after the French takeover, is a Caribbean [i] ... 

 in the 1640s and Port Royal after 1655. One of the last famous pirates of the Caribbean was Cofresí: Roberto Cofresí Ramirez de Arellano . He was put to death for his crimes in Puerto Rico Puerto Rico

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , also Porto Rico and more commonly Puerto Rico, is a United States [i] ... 

 at the Castle of San Felipe del Morro. His romantic legend inspires plays and songs on the island.

Famous historical pirates

  • Louis-Michel Aury
  • Stede Bonnet Stede Bonnet

    Major Stede Bonnet, the "gentleman pirate," was one of the most interesting but least successful sea pirate [i] ... 

  • Anne Bonny Anne Bonny

    Anne Bonny was a pirate [i] of Irish [i] descent who sailed with Calico Jack Rackham [i] ... 

  • Roche Brasiliano Roche Braziliano

    Roche Braziliano, was a Dutch pirate born in Groningen [i]. ... 

  • Sir Francis Drake Francis Drake

    Sir Francis Drake, Vice Admiral [i], was an English [i] privateer [i], navigator [i] ... 

  • William Kidd William Kidd

    William "Captain" Kidd is often remembered in infamy [i] as a cruel [i], bloody pirate [i]. ... 

  • Jean Lafitte
  • François l'Ollonais François l'Ollonais

    ... 

  • Sir Henry Morgan Henry Morgan

    Sir Henry Morgan was a privateer [i] of Welsh [i] birth, who made a name in the Caribbean [i] as a ... 

  • Calico Jack Calico Jack

    Jack Rackham, or John Rackham, was a pirate [i] captain [i] during the 18th century [i]. ... 

     Rackham
  • Mary Read Mary Read

    Mary Read was a female pirate [i] who lived in the late 17th century [i] and early 18th century [i].... 

  • "Black Bart" Bartholomew Roberts Bartholomew Roberts

    Bartholomew Roberts born John Robert, also known as Black Bart, was one of the most notorious and ... 

  • Edward "Blackbeard Blackbeard

    Blackbeard was the nickname of Edward Teach, alias Edward Thatch , a notorious English [i] ... 

    " Teach

Privateering

A privateer or corsair used similar methods to a pirate, but acted while in possession of a commission or letter of marque Letter of marque

A Letter of Marque and Reprisal was an official warrant [i] or commission [i] from a national g ... 

 from a government or king authorizing the capture of merchant ships belonging to an enemy nation. The famous Barbary Corsairs Barbary pirates

Though at least a proportion of them are better described as privateers [i], the Barbary pirates wer ... 

 of the Mediterranean Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean Sea is a part of the Atlantic Ocean [i] almost completely enclosed by land: on the nor... 

 were privateers, as were the Maltese Corsairs, who were authorized by the Knights of St. John Knights Hospitaller

The Knights Hospitaller is a tradition which began as a Benedictine [i] hospitaller [i] religious order [i] ... 

. The letter of marque was recognized by convention—for example, the United States Constitution United States Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law [i] of the United States of America [i]. ... 

 of 1787 specifically authorizes Congress United States Congress

The United States Congress is the legislature [i] of the United States federal government [i]. ... 

 to issue letters of marque and reprisal—and meant that a privateer could not technically be charged with piracy. This nicety of law did not always save the individuals concerned, however, as whether one was considered a pirate or a legally operating privateer often depended on whose custody the individual found himself in—that of the country that had issued the commission, or that of the object of attack. Under the Declaration of Paris of 1854, seven nations agreed to suspend the use of the letter of marque, and others followed in the Hague Conventions. One famous privateer was Sir Francis Drake Francis Drake

Sir Francis Drake, Vice Admiral [i], was an English [i] privateer [i], navigator [i] ... 

. His patron was England England

England is the largest and most populous constituent country [i] of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

, and their relationship ultimately proved to be quite profitable.

Pirate organizations

In the popular modern imagination, pirates of the classical period were rebellious, clever teams who operated outside the restricting bureaucracy of modern life. In reality, many pirates ate poorly, did not become fabulously wealthy, and died young.

Unlike traditional Western societies of the time, many pirate clans operated as limited democracies Democracy

Democracy is a form of government [i] for a nation state, or for an organiz ... 

, demanding the right to elect and replace their leaders. The captain of a pirate ship was often a fierce fighter in whom the men could place their trust, rather than a more traditional authority figure sanctioned by an elite. However, when not in battle, the ship's quartermaster usually had the real authority.

Many groups of pirates shared in whatever booty they seized, according to a complicated scheme where each man received his alloted share of the prize. Pirates injured in battle might be afforded special compensation. Often all of these terms were agreed upon and written down by the pirates. These articles could also be used as incriminating proof that they were outlaws.

Pirates readily accepted outcasts from traditional societies, perhaps easily recognizing kindred spirits, and they were known to free slaves Slavery

Slavery is the social and legal designation of specific person [i]s as property [i] or chattel, for the ... 

 from slave ship Slave ship

Slave ships were cargo boat [i]s specially converted for the purpose of transporting slaves [i], ... 

s and welcome them into the pirate fold.

Such egalitarian practices within a pirate clan were tenuous, however, and did little to mitigate the brutality of the pirate's way of life.

The classical age of piracy coexisted with imperialism Imperialism

Imperialism is a policy of extending control or authority over foreign entities as a means of acquisitio... 

. Imperialism required merchant vessels to transport goods and warships to protect the trade ships from pirates and privateers. Living conditions on the warships were horrible even by 17th-century standards; sailors were often fed rotten, maggot-infested food, frequently suffered from scurvy Scurvy

Scurvy is a disease [i] that results from insufficient intake of vitamin C [i], which is required for c ... 

 or other nutritional disorders, and could be counted lucky to escape their service without a debilitating injury. Two life-threatening and omnipresent forces in the sailors' lives were the sea and the ship's captain. English captains were known to have been extremely brutal; the captain held a sort of sovereign power aboard his ship and many were unafraid to abuse that power. It is thought that the service of an English sailor during England's imperial reign is the most inhumane of all wartime duties to date. To fill the warships, officers would sometimes forcibly conscript or "press-gang" boys and young men to replace lost crew.

The horrid living conditions, constant threat to life, and brutality of the captain and his officers pushed many men over the edge. Possessing seafaring skill, a learned intolerance for absolute authority, and a disdain for the motherland they might have believed abandoned them, many crews would simply mutiny during an attack and offer themselves and their ship as a new pirate vessel and crew.

Commerce raiders

A wartime activity similar to piracy involves disguised warship Warship

A warship is a ship [i] that is built and primarily intended for war [i]. ... 

s called commerce raiders or merchant raiders, which attack enemy shipping commerce, approaching by stealth and then opening fire. Commerce raiders operated successfully during the American Revolution American Revolution

The American Revolution was a political movement that ended British [i] control ... 

. During the American Civil War American Civil War

The American Civil War was a sectional conflict in the United States of America [i] between the federal ... 

, the Confederacy Confederate States of America

The Confederate States of America was the government formed by eleven southern states of the USA [i]... 

 sent out several commerce raiders, the most famous of which was the CSS Alabama CSS Alabama

CSS Alabama was a screw sloop-of-war [i] built for the Confederate States Navy [i] at Birkenhead [i] ... 

. During World War I World War I

World War I, also known as the First World War, the Great War and "The War to End All War... 

 and World War II World War II

World War II, or the Second World War, was a worldwide [i] conflict [i] fought betwe ... 

, Germany Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country [i] in central Europe [i]. ... 

 also made use of these tactics, both in the Atlantic Atlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest ocean [i], covering approximately one-fifth of the Earth [i]'s ... 

 and Indian Ocean Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the third largest body of water in the world, covering about 20% of the Earth's wate... 

s. Since commissioned naval vessels were openly used, these commerce raiders should not be considered even privateers, much less pirates - although the opposing combatants were vocal in denouncing them as such.

Modern piracy

Piracy at sea continues into the present day. Partly because of the decline of the ability of European navies, especially the Royal Navy Royal Navy

The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom [i] is the oldest of the British armed services [i] ... 

, to project their power, piracy in recent times has increased in areas such as south South Asia

South Asia, also Southern Asia, is a south [i]ern geopolitical [i] region [i] of the Asia [i] ... 

 and southeast Asia Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion [i] of Asia [i], consisting of the countries th ... 

 , parts of South America South America

South America is a continent [i] situated in the western hemisphere [i] and, mostly, ... 

, the waters of the Indian Ocean Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is the third largest body of water in the world, covering about 20% of the Earth's wate... 

 and the south of the Red Sea Red Sea

The Red Sea is an inlet of the Indian Ocean [i] between Africa [i] and Asia [i]. ... 

, with pirates now favoring small boats and taking advantage of the small crew numbers on modern cargo vessels. Modern pirates prey on cargo ships which must slow their speed to navigate narrow strait Strait

A strait is a narrow channel of water [i] that connects two larger bodies of water, and thus lies betwee ... 

s, making them vulnerable to be overtaken and boarded by small motorboat Motorboat

A motorboat generally speaking is a vessel [i] other than a sailboat [i] or personal watercraft [i] ... 

s. Small ships are also capable of disguising themselves as fishing vessels or cargo vessels when not carrying out piracy, in order to avoid or deceive inspections. Also, pirates are often in regions of poor countries with smaller navies, and large trade routes. Pirates sometimes evade pursuers by sailing into waters controlled by their enemies . With the end of the Cold War Cold War

The Cold War was the protracted geopolitical [i], ideological [i], and economic [i]... 

, navies have decreased size and patrol, and trade has increased, making organized piracy far easier. Piracy can be a branch of organised crime syndicates, or small individual groups.

Pirate attack crews may consist of 4-10 for going after the ship's safe , or up to seventy to seize the whole vessel.

Captured crew members are either killed, set adrift, or held for ransom.

In most cases, modern pirates are not interested in the cargo and are mainly interested in taking the personal belongings of the crew and the contents of the ship's safe, which might contain large amounts of cash needed for payroll and port fees. In some cases, the pirates force the crew off the ship and sail the ship to a port, where it is repainted and given a new identity through false papers, and/or the cargo is sold.

Modern pirates can be successful because a large amount of international commerce occurs via shipping. For commercial reasons, many cargo ships move through narrow bodies of water such as the Suez Canal Suez Canal

The Suez Canal , west of the Sinai Peninsula [i], is a 163-km-long and, at its narrowest point, 300-m-w ... 

, the Panama Canal Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is a major ship canal [i] that traverses the Isthmus of Panama [i] in Central America [i] ... 

 and the Straits of Malacca Strait of Malacca

The Strait [i] of Malacca is a narrow stretch of water between Peninsular Malaysia [i] and the Indonesia [i] ... 

. As usage increases, many of these ships have to lower cruising speeds to allow for navigation and traffic control, making them prime targets for piracy. Modern piracy can also take place in conditions of political unrest or vacuum. For example, following the disintegration of the government of Somalia Somalia

Somalia , formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic, is a coastal nation at the Horn of Africa [i] ... 

, warlords in the region have attacked ships delivering UN United Nations

name = United Nations
Nations Unies
... 

 food aid .

Anti-piracy tactics include shining the search light on the boarding boat as it is coming to blind it, shooting the firehose at it, LRAD type noise weapons, use of flares as weapons, swerving to either create large waves or ram, and, rarely, having armed crew, though this is forbidden by international shipping laws. Shipping companies sometimes hire private security guards.

Modern definitions of piracy include the following acts:
  • Kidnapping of people for ransom
  • Robbery Robbery

    Robbery is the crime [i] of seizing property [i] through violence [i] or intimidation [i]. ... 

  • Murder
  • Seizure of items or the ship
  • Sabotage Sabotage

    Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening an enemy, oppressor or employer through subversion, o... 

    , resulting in the ship subsequently sinking


After the US retreat from Vietnam, many fleeing Vietnamese put all their valuables on boats and attempted to leave, and many were looted by pirates.

Pirate attacks tripled between 1993 and 2003. The first half of 2003 was the worst 6-month period on record, with 234 pirate attacks, 16 deaths, and 52 people injured worldwide. There were also 193 crew members held hostage during this period.

182 reported cases of piracy turned up worldwide in the first 6 months of 2004. Of these incidents, 50 occurred in Indonesia Indonesia

Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a nation of islands [i] consist ... 

n waters.

The Piracy Reporting Centre of the International Maritime Bureau  stated in 2004 that more pirate attacks in that year occurred in Indonesian waters than in the waters of any other country. Of these attacks, a majority occurred in the Straits of Malacca. They also stated that of the attacks in 2004, oil and gas tankers and bulk carrier Bulk carrier

A bulk carrier is ocean [i]-going vessel [i] used to transport bulk cargo [i] items such as ore [i] ... 

s were the most popular targets with 67 attacks on tankers and 52 on bulk carriers.

In modern times, ships and airplanes are hijacked for political reasons as well. The perpetrators of these acts could be described as pirates , but in English are usually termed hijackers or terrorists Terrorism

Terrorism is the systematic use, or threatened use, of violence [i] to intimidate a population or govern ... 

. An example is the hijacking of the Italian Italy

Italy, officially the Italian Republic , is a Southern European [i] country. ... 

 civilian passenger ship Achille Lauro Achille Lauro

The Achille Lauro was a passenger liner [i], most remembered for its 1985 [i] ... 

.

Modern pirates also use a great deal of technology. It has been reported that crimes of piracy have involved the use of mobile phone Mobile phone

A mobile or cell phone [i] is a long-range, portable electronic device [i] for per... 

s, modern speedboat Motorboat

A motorboat generally speaking is a vessel [i] other than a sailboat [i] or personal watercraft [i] ... 

s, AK-47 AK-47

The AK-47 is a gas-operated [i] assault rifle [i] designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov [i] ... 

s, shotguns, pistols, mounted machine guns, and even rocket propelled grenade Rocket propelled grenade

A rocket propelled grenade is a loose term describing hand-held, shoulder-launched anti-tank [i] weapon ... 

s.However, more primitive weapons such as knives, batons or boat-hooks are also often used.

Piracy in international law


Effects on international boundaries

During the 18th century, the British United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 and the Dutch Netherlands

The Netherlands is the Europe [i]an part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands [i] , which is formed ... 

 controlled opposite sides of the Straits of Malacca Strait of Malacca

The Strait [i] of Malacca is a narrow stretch of water between Peninsular Malaysia [i] and the Indonesia [i] ... 

. Some pirates carried on activities similar to armed rebellion with the aim of resisting the colonizers. In order to put a stop to this, the British and the Dutch drew a line separating the Straits into two halves. The agreement was that each party would be responsible for combating piracy in their respective half. Eventually this line became the border between Malaysia Malaysia

Malaysia is a federation [i] of 13 states [i] in Southeast Asia [i], formed in 1963.
... 

 and Indonesia Indonesia

Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a nation of islands [i] consist ... 

 in the Straits.

International law

Piracy is of note in international law as it is commonly held to represent the earliest invocation of the concept of universal jurisdiction. The crime of piracy is considered a breach of jus cogens, a conventional peremptory international norm from which states may not derogate. Those committing thefts on the high seas International waters

The terms international waters or transboundary waters apply where any of the following types of b... 

, inhibiting trade Trade

Trade is the voluntary exchange of goods [i], service [i]s, or both. ... 

, and endangering maritime communication are considered by sovereign states to be hostis humani generis .

Since piracy often takes place outside the territorial waters Territorial waters

Territorial waters, or a territorial sea, is a belt of coastal waters extending at most twelve nautical mile [i] ... 

 of any state, the prosecution of pirates by sovereign states represents a complex legal situation. The prosecution of pirates on the high seas contravenes the conventional freedom of the high seas. However, as jus cogens, jurisdiction can nevertheless typically be exercised against pirates without objection from the flag state of the pirate vessel. This represents an exception to the principle extra territorium jus dicenti impune non paretur .

Other terms for pirates

Pirates who operated in the West Indies Caribbean

The Caribbean is a region [i] of the Americas [i] consisting of the Caribbean Sea [i], its island [i]s... 

 during the 17th century were known as buccaneers. The word derives from boucan, a wooden frame used for cooking meat , used by French hunters called boucaniers. They were semi-legal, attacking Spanish ships when France, England, and Holland were trying to gain territory on the Spanish Main. When these hunters became pirates, they took their name with them. The most famous person associated with buccaneers in the West Indies was Henry Morgan Henry Morgan

Sir Henry Morgan was a privateer [i] of Welsh [i] birth, who made a name in the Caribbean [i] as a ... 

.

Dutch pirates were known as kapers, zeerovers or vrijbuiters , the latter combining the words vrij meaning free, buiter meaning looter. The word vrijbuiter was loaned into English as freebooter and into French as flibustier. The French loan-word returned to English in the form of filibusters, adventurers who became involved in Latin American Latin America

Latin America is the region [i] of the Americas [i] where Romance language [i]s those derived from Latin [i] ... 

 revolution Revolution

A revolution is a drastic change that usually occurs relatively quickly.... 

s and coups Coup d'état

A coup d'tat , or simply coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government [i] through unconstitutiona ... 

. It finally came to mean the disruptive parliamentary maneuver of talking nonstop.

Pirates are called Lanun by both the Indonesians and the Malaysians who form the nations bracketing the Straits of Malacca Strait of Malacca

The Strait [i] of Malacca is a narrow stretch of water between Peninsular Malaysia [i] and the Indonesia [i] ... 

. Originally a culture of seafaring people, the Lanun name became synonymous with piracy in the 15th century. But the dedicated word for pirate in Indonesian Language is Bajak. This word's etymology is not clear.

Wokòu Wokou

Wokou or Japanese pirates were pirate [i]s who raided the coastlines of China [i] and Korea [i] fr... 

were pirates who raided the coastlines of China China

China is a cultural region [i] and ancient civilization [i] in East Asia [i]. ... 

 and Korea Korea

Korea
One of the world's oldest civilization [i]s, Korea began with the founding of Gojoseon [i] in 2333 ... 

 from the 13th century onwards.

Pirates with commissions from a government are called privateers or corsairs. In modern Arabic the word is ????? from the Turkish Korsan, which seems to have been derived from the European word. Corsair comes from the medieval Latin cursa, meaning "raid, expedition, inroad".

Pirates are also known as picaroons. This term comes from the Spanish word picarón, meaning "rogue."

Modern victims

  • Environmentalist and yachtsman Sir Peter Blake was killed by Brazilian pirates in 2001.
  • The American luxury liner The Seabourn Spirit The Seabourn Spirit

    Seabourn Spirit is a German [i]-built 5-star cruise ship [i] that first sailed in 1989. ... 

    was attacked by pirates in November 2005 off the Somalian coast.

In popular culture

In popular culture, pirates are associated with a stereotypical manner of speaking and dress. This tradition owes much to Robert Newton's portrayal of Long John Silver Long John Silver

Long John Silver is a fictional character [i] in the novel [i] Treasure Island [i], by Robert Louis Stevenson [i] ... 

 in Disney Walt Disney Pictures

Walt Disney Pictures is an American [i] film studio [i], with off-shoot studios in Japan [i] ... 

's 1950 film adaptation of Treasure Island Treasure Island

Treasure Island is an adventure novel [i] by Scottish [i] author Robert Louis Stevenson [i] ... 

. Many stereotypical pirates have accents which are apparently from Cornwall Cornwall

Cornwall is a county [i] in South West [i]... 

, or Bristol Bristol

Bristol is a city [i], unitary authority [i] and ceremonial county [i] ... 

 in England, or possibly based on the pronunciation of Elizabethan English. Popular interest in pirates rose again when the movie was released, bringing more attention to the pirate bases of Tortuga Tortuga

Tortuga or Isla Tortuga, officially le de la Tortue after the French takeover, is a Caribbean [i] ... 

 and Port Royal. Also, starting in the late 1990s, a Japanese manga and television show called One Piece One Piece

is a manga [i] and anime [i] series created by artist Eiichiro Oda [i]. ... 

 has also accelerated people's interest in the general idea of pirates. There are even LEGO Lego

Lego is a line of toy [i]s manufactured by Lego Group [i], a privately-held company based in ... 

 pirates.



In the 1990s, International Talk Like a Pirate Day International Talk Like a Pirate Day

Even more baffling are some of the phrases used by sailors in the 17th century:... 

 was invented as a parodic holiday celebrated on September 19. This holiday allows people to "let out their inner pirate" and to dress and speak as pirates are stereotypically portrayed to have dressed and spoken. International Talk Like a Pirate Day has been gaining in popularity through the Internet since its founders set up a , which instructs visitors in "pirate slang".

Pirates are reputed in several parody websites to be the sworn enemies of ninjas Ninja

are agents of espionage [i] and assassination [i] of the feudal era in Japan [i] . ... 

 although there is very little credibility to this claim.

Pirates also play a central role in the parody religion Parody religion

A parody religion or mock religion is either a parody [i] of a religion [i], sect [i] or cult [i], ... 

 of Pastafarianism Flying Spaghetti Monster

The Flying Spaghetti Monster is a deity of a parody religion [i] founded in 2005 by physics graduate, Bo ... 

, established in 2005.

Pirates in sports

Because pirate ships connote fearsomeness, loyalty and teamwork, many professional and amateur sports teams are named "Pirates." The most famous of these is the Pittsburgh Pirates, a Major League Baseball Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball is the highest level of play in professional baseball [i]. ... 

 team that has used the nickname since 1891.

Other teams:
  • Professional
    • Pittsburgh Pirates - Major League Baseball Major League Baseball

      Major League Baseball is the highest level of play in professional baseball [i]. ... 

    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers

      The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football [i] team based in Tampa, Florida [i]. ... 

       - National Football League National Football League

      The National Football League is the largest professional American football [i] league [i] ... 

    • Oakland Raiders Oakland Raiders

      The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football [i] team based in the city of Oakland, California [i] ... 

       - National Football League National Football League

      The National Football League is the largest professional American football [i] league [i] ... 

    • Portland Pirates Portland Pirates

      The Portland Pirates are an ice hockey [i] team in the American Hockey League [i]. ... 

       - American Hockey League American Hockey League

      The American Hockey League is regarded as the top professional [i] hockey [i] league [i] in North America [i] ... 

    • Amsterdam Pirates Amsterdam Pirates

      Amsterdam Pirates is a baseball [i] team in Amsterdam [i], Netherlands [i]. ... 

       - Dutch Baseball League
    • Orlando Pirates Orlando Pirates Football Club

      Orlando Pirates are a South African [i] football [i] club, founded in 1937 [i] in the Orlando [i] ... 

        - Premier Soccer League Premier Soccer League

      Premier Soccer League is the trading name of the National Soccer League of South Africa [i], also ... 

      , South Africa South Africa

      The Republic of South Africa is a country located at the southern tip of the Africa [i]n continent [i]. ... 

    • Tampa Bay Mutiny - Major League Soccer Major League Soccer

      Major League Soccer is the top soccer [i] league in the United States [i] in the American Soccer Pyramid [i] ... 

    • Canberra Raiders Canberra Raiders

      The Canberra Raiders are a National Rugby League [i] team based in Canberra [i], Australia [i].

... 

 - National Rugby League National Rugby League

The National Rugby League is the premier rugby league [i] competition in Australia [i] and New Zealand [i] ... 

, Australia Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere [i] c ... 



  • Collegiate
    • Texas Tech Red Raiders Texas Tech Red Raiders

      Texas Tech Red Raiders is the name of the sports teams of Texas Tech University [i]. ... 

       - Big XII Conference Big 12 Conference

      The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference [i] of twelv ... 

    • East Carolina Pirates East Carolina University

      East Carolina University is a public [i], coeducational [i], research intensive university [i]... 

       - Conference USA Conference USA

      Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference [i] ... 

    • East Tennessee State Buccaneers East Tennessee State University

      East Tennessee State University was founded on October 2 [i]1911 [i].... 

       - Southern Conference Southern Conference

      The Southern Conference is a college athletic conference [i] affili... 

    • Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Middle Tennessee State University

      Middle Tennessee State University is an American [i] university [i] located in Murfreesboro [i] ... 

       - Sun Belt Conference Sun Belt Conference

      The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference [i] that h... 

    • Mount Union Purple Raiders Mount Union College

      Mount Union College is a 4-year private, liberal art [i]s college [i] in Alliance, Ohio [i]. ... 

       - Ohio Athletic Conference Ohio Athletic Conference

      The Ohio Athletic Conference was formed in 1902 and is one of only three conferences formed more than 10... 

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