X Marks 10- Issue 10! Fancy’s Fortune & Modern Piracy in Full Force

A treasure-hunt for the Fancy, cannon battles in Dana Point, and the ultimate coin for rogue collectors...Issue #10 – June 27th, 2025

Captain Black Quill June 27, 2025

Ahoy, Matey

Hoist yer colors and grip the helm—this week’s issue is loaded with treasure tales, cannon fire, and even a pirate ship up for grabs. We’re chasin’ the lost riches of the Fancy, stormin’ Dana Point’s tall ships festival, and unveil the official coin of The Pirate Republic. Oh—and modern pirates? Still plunderin’. Set yer spyglass on the horizon… and read on.

☠️ This Week in Pirate History – Modern Piracy Strikes

These days, pirates don’t just haunt old wooden ships—they still pose very real threats to modern vessels:

⚓ Gulf of Guinea: Kidnap & Armed Robbery Wave

A recent U.S. Maritime Advisory warns of a surge in kidnappings-for-ransom (KFR) and armed robberies targeting ships off the West African coast. Seven crew members from three Ghanaian fishing vessels and ten crew from the Panama-flagged Bitu River tanker were taken ashore in the Niger Delta—a regional hotspot for piracy.

The first half of 2025 saw a notable increase in piracy incidents within the Gulf, with 47 reported cases, including kidnappings, boardings, and hijackings. These raids reflect brutal tactics—firing upon vessels and seizing senior crew members—echoing the violence of old-school buccaneers

⚓ Recent Case – Chinese Crew Freed off Ghana

The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed three Chinese crewmen were kidnapped when armed pirates stormed the Ghana-registered fishing vessel MENGXIN 1, firing warning shots and boarding for nearly three hours. Thankfully, all crew were eventually freed

💡Why it matters: The Gulf of Guinea continues to be one of the world’s most dangerous seas, with nearly 35% of Q1 piracy incidents occurring there. Modern pirates use firearms and brutality, showing that the lawlessness of the Golden Age still prowls today’s oceans

🏴‍☠️ Treasure Tales – The Hunt for Henry

Every’s Fancy

They call him the “King of the Pirates”—and not without reason. Henry Every (also spelled Avery) pulled off what’s often called the most profitable pirate heist in history. In 1695, as captain of the Fancy, he led a rogue fleet that captured the Ganj-i-Sawai, a Mughal treasure ship laden with over £500,000 in gold, silver, and jewels—worth hundreds of millions today.

After the score, Every and his crew vanished—no capture, no trial, no hangman's rope. Just whispers and legends.

The article I be sharing dives into modern expeditions off St. Kitts and Nevis, where divers believe remnants of Every’s legendary ship, The Fancy, may lie buried beneath centuries of coral and mystery. While history never confirmed her sinking there, it’s believed Every may have abandoned or scuttled the ship near the Caribbean before fleeing to parts unknown—some say to Ireland, others claim Madagascar, and a few insist he lived out his days under a false name in Devon.

Why be the Caribbean in focus? The Fancy had stopped in Nassau, and Every forged documents there before disappearing. Some historians suspect the ship never made it out of Bahamian waters and was deliberately hidden to erase his trail.

⚓ Legacy: No pirate ever disappeared with more loot—or left behind a ghost ship as legendary as the Fancy.

Read the full article →

🏴‍☠️ Plunder Pick o’ the Week

⚓ The Pirate Republic Legend Coin – 1718 Edition

Every true rogue needs a mark—a token of legend to jingle in yer pouch or display in yer treasure chest. Introducing the Official Coin of The Pirate Republic, forged in honor of the golden year 1718, when piracy ruled the waves and Blackbeard’s beard still smoked with terror.

Minted by The Pirate Republic and Captain Blackquill himself, this Pirate Legend Coin be more than shiny brass—it’s a symbol of your allegiance to the boldest newsletter on the seven seas.

🪙 Perfect for collectors, re-enactors, or any buccaneer who wants to show they sail with the best.

⚓ Claim yer coin and carry the spirit of the age:Get the Legend Coin →

🛶 Pirate Ship for Sale – Surrender the Booty

Matey, ever dreamed of actually living aboard a pirate ship? Feast yer eyes on this: a 45‑foot “pirate ship” houseboat named Surrender the Booty, moored on the Potomac River in Virginia—yours for just $49,000. The owner, Captain Dan, rigged the vessel with a cabin, galley, bathroom, and even a faux cannon—and she sails! A savvy buccaneer could steer this vessel into the Chesapeake or James River with ease.

Hoist yer spyglass! The pirate ship be lurkin’ on Facebook, and she’s callin’ fer a new captain!

This isn’t just a Halloween prop—it’s a livable marine oddity perfect for the pirate at heart. Imagine days spent steering her deck, cannon at the ready, while still enjoying real comforts below.

⚓ Shout-out to Captain Dan for sharín’ this gem in the “Pirates, Mermaids & Scallywags” group—keepin’ the pirate spirit alive on real water!

⚓️ Sails on the Horizon – Upcoming Pirate Events

📍 Pirate Invasion at the Colorado Renaissance Festival – Larkspur, CO

July 12–13, 2025Ye scallywags best dust off your boots and buckle your swash! The Colorado Renaissance Festival hosts its annual Pirate Invasion Weekend, with pirate parades, sea shanties, and rum-soaked revelry.More info →

📍 Dana Point Maritime Festival – Dana Point, CA

September 12–14, 2025Set sail for a weekend packed with cannon battles at sea, mermaid encounters, tall ship tours, sea shanties, and a beer garden by the coast. Don’t miss the Sails N’ Ales party on Friday night!More info →

🗣️ 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.

 Disclosure: Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links, which means we may earn doubloons (aka a small commission) if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting The Pirate Republic, ya savvy sea dog!