The Pirate Republic - Buried Billions & Pirate Legends Come Ashore

Ghost galleons, pirate sacking sprees, and the game that keeps the pirate dream alive.

Ahoy Matey

The cannon’s fired and the sails are up—it’s time for tales o’ fire, fame, and fortune. From sunken treasure to savage sacking, the Golden Age sails again. 🏴‍☠️

⚓ This Week in Pirate History

Tis was a busy week in pirate history with several documented events! Strap on yer cutlass and keep a weather’d eye on the horizon me hearties—

⚓ June 19, 1719 – Howell Davis Meets His End

Welsh pirate captain Howell Davis was shot and killed in an ambush while trying to kidnap the governor of Principe. Known for his charm and cunning, Davis often impersonated a Royal Navy officer to gain entry to fortified towns. This time, the trick cost him his life.

His death wouldn’t go unanswered. A rising star in the crew named Bartholomew Roberts—soon to be known as Black Bart—took command. His first order of business? Burn the island’s town to the ground in brutal revenge.

⚓ Legacy: The death of Davis set in motion the reign of one of the richest pirates in history.

🎬 June 20, 1909 – The Birth of Errol Flynn, Hollywood’s Swashbuckler

Born in Tasmania, Errol Flynn became the ultimate silver screen pirate with his dashing role as Captain Blood. In the Golden Age of Hollywood, Flynn defined the look and swagger of a pirate for generations.
⚓ Legacy: Without Flynn, there might be no Jack Sparrow, no Captain Hook with flair—he set the gold standard for charismatic piracy on film.
🔥 June 21, 1720 – Bart Roberts Sacks Trepassey
Just days after taking command, Black Bart Roberts launched a fiery assault on the Newfoundland harbor of Trepassey. With bold precision, he captured or destroyed nearly two dozen merchant ships in the bay.
Not bad for his first week on the job.
⚓ Legacy: It was the start of a ruthless career that would see Roberts take more ships than any pirate in history.
💰 Treasure Tale – The Billion-Dollar Ghost Ship
The San José: Sunken Spanish Galleon Still Guardin' Her Gold
In the depths off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia lies the wreck of the San José, a Spanish treasure galleon sunk in 1708 during a clash with British forces. She was packed with gold, silver, and emeralds, and her cargo is now valued in the billions.
New images released in June 2025 show the ship’s cannons, teacups, and glittering cargo still resting beneath the waves. Dubbed the "Holy Grail of shipwrecks," the San José is at the center of a high-stakes legal battle over who owns the treasure.
⚓ Legacy: She may be resting deep, but the San José’s hold still stirs the hearts of treasure hunters worldwide.
Read More →
🏴‍☠️ Talk o’ the Tok – Where Did Pirates Do Their Business?
Ever wondered where pirates peed and pooped aboard their creaky 17th-century ships? The answers ain’t for the faint of heart—but they are in our latest TikTok!
From open-air bowsprit “thunderboxes” to overboard leans in high seas, the bathroom habits of the Golden Age pirates were just as wild as their plundering. Spoiler: the captain usually had the comfiest spot.
🎥 Watch the full clip →
🏴‍☠️ Plunder Pick o’ the Week
🎮 Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – The Ultimate Pirate Game
Step into the boots of Edward Kenway, a privateer turned pirate captain navigating the blood-soaked Caribbean. From sea shanties to ship battles, Black Flag lets you live the pirate’s life with sword, sail, and swagger.
What sets it apart? Real historical pirates like Blackbeard and Charles Vane cross yer path, and the open seas are yours to conquer. I still play it to this day—it’s got my seal of quality.
⚓ Legacy: Like the Golden Age of Piracy itself, this game never gets old.
Set sail with Assassin’s Creed →
Locals in Devon were left slack-jawed when the full-scale replica Galeón Andalucía appeared on the horizon. A 500-ton floating museum, she brought the Golden Age of Sail back to life, with her carved hull and towering masts turning every head in port.
⚓️ Legacy: She’s no ghost ship—she’s a time machine with canvas and cannon.
Read the story →
Pirate Event: Pirates Return to Belmont Pier
📍 Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier – Long Beach, CA📅 June 22, 2025
Bring yer pop-ups, picnic gear, and pirate garb—it's time to storm the beach! This pirate meetup at Belmont Pier takes us back to where it all started. Hang with fellow scallywags, raise a toast at Belmont Brewing Co., and enjoy pirate drink specials.
⚓ Legacy: Not just an event, but a return to port for SoCal pirates.
View the Facebook Event →
🗣️ Share the Spoils, Matey!
Know a landlubber who’d love tales of treasure, ghost ships, and real pirate history? Don’t keep the gold to yerself—send ‘em our way!
📜 Sign up here → https://www.piratefanclub.com/weeklynewsletter-thepiraterepublic
Fair winds and full inboxes!
Sail with us across the digital seas:📜 TikTok: @thepiraterepublic▶️ YouTube: The Pirate Republic
🎖️ Thanks for Embarkin’ on the Voyage
We set sail every Friday, storm or shine. Keep yer spyglass pointed at the horizon...and may yer week be full o’ plunder, parlay, and just the right amount o’ mutiny.
Share this letter with yer crewmates, an if ye find treasure or tales worth tell’n, send them to captainblackquill@gmail.com.
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