Female Pirates of the Caribbean: A Swashbuckling History

Pirates of the Caribbean - the mere mention conjures up images of rugged men, billowy sails, and hidden treasure. But, me hearties, there be a lesser-known tale of female buccaneers who sailed the same waters, seeking fortune, freedom, and revenge!

Anne Bonny
Public Domain

Meet Anne Bonny, Mary Read, and Ching Shih - the most feared female pirates to ever hoist the Jolly Roger. These women defied convention, donning breeches, brandishing cutlasses, and commanding crews with a ferocity that rivaled their male counterparts.

Anne Bonny, considered to be an Irish lass, sailed the Caribbean seas with her lover, Calico Jack Rackham. There is very little known about her origin and no birth records found in Ireland for the name she used, but she is believed to be Irish. She disguised herself as a man to join his crew, but soon revealed her true identity, earning the respect of her shipmates. Bonny's fiery spirit and fighting prowess made her a force to be reckoned with. Captured in 1720, Bonny disappeared from historical records, with some speculating she escaped and returned to her father's plantation, while others believe she died in prison.

Mary Read
Public Domain

Mary Read, an Englishwoman, also disguised herself as a man to join the British military. She fell in love with a Finnish soldier and paused her seafaring life to settled down and start a business in the Netherlands. However, her husband died prematurely, which sent her back to work. She boarded a ship bound for the West Indies, however that ship was attacked by pirates. She ended up joining the pirate crew. She fought alongside Anne Bonny and Calico Jack, becoming a trusted member of their gang. Read's bravery and sword-fighting skills earned her a place in pirate legend. She died in prison in 1721, reportedly due to a fever or childbirth complications.

Both Anne and Mary are written about in the 1724 book, A General History of the Pyrates by Captain Charles Johnson, which was one of the first books on the topic and one of the main influences that shaped the perception of pirates. 

A General History of Pyrates by Captain Charles Johnson
Public Domain

Ching Shih, a Chinese pirate queen, commanded a fleet of over 1,500 ships and more than 60,000 pirates! She rose from humble beginnings as a prostitute to become one of the most powerful pirates in history, negotiating with Chinese officials and amassing a vast fortune. She married a prominent pirate, and upon his death, took over his enterprise. Ching Shih retired from piracy in 1810, taking a deal offered by the Chinese government, and opened a brothel and gambling house. She died peacefully in 1844, at the age of 69.

These women pirates lived by their own rules, rebelling against societal norms and gender expectations. They sought adventure, riches, and a sense of freedom that eluded them on land.

So, hoist the sails and raise a toast to these swashbuckling sisters of the Seven Seas! Their tales of bravery, cunning, and defiance continue to intrigue us to this day, reminding us that even in the most unexpected places, women have always been making waves.

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Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award, Amber Lemus writes enthralling non-fiction for children and adults alike. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior, so her writing is centered around faith, family and history.

She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a new mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at www.AmberLemus.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!