18. Black Bart, the Reluctant Pirate
Bartholomew “Black Bart” Roberts (1682 – 1722) is considered to be one of the most successful pirates of the Caribbean. He captured and looted more ships during his career than his contemporaries Black Beard, Jack Rackham, Francis Sprigg, and Edward Low put together. His spectacular success as a pirate was ironic, because he had never wanted to be a pirate to begin with.
In 1719, Black Bart had been an officer aboard a slaver that was captured by pirates, who forced him to join them. Within six weeks, he had impressed his new crew mates so much that when their captain was killed, the pirates elected Bart their new captain. He soon got over any doubts he might have had about his new career, and took to piracy with a will.