What is a Pirate?
Pirates are big these days. With the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy just wrapping up, we are all reminded of the fascination these sea-dwellers hold. But what exactly is a pirate? What do they do and how did they come to be?
Piracy is known in international law as the act of robbery, and other acts of violence on the sea or the air above the sea. Robbery would be carried out when the pirates were looking for booty, which consisted mainly of gold, silver and jewellery. This act is carried out by the captain and the crew of a ship. They commit their crimes outside of any jurisdiction. Piracy is known as a crime against the nations. This meaning simply that the pirate's crimes are not against a state but against all of humanity.
Because all crimes are held outside of any particular jurisdiction, the pirates may be sentenced in any country that they are found in, or brought to. Thousands of pirates were present between 1650 and 1720. Piracy does still exist today, especially on the seas of South China. Although these pirates are lesser known and do not have great legends such as those of pirates of the past.
Perhaps the two most famous pirates today are:
Blackbeard for his fierce, relentless nature and Mary Read for not only being one of the only women pirates but also for enduring such personal hardship and for harbouring such bravery.
This site, Pirate Legend in Dominica, will deal with pirate legend and famous pirates that sought safe harbor in Dominica, fought on the shores of Dominica or
were believed to have buried treasures on Dominica.
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