Pirate Ship Seized in Hawaii—Pirates Invade San Diego?

The King offers pirates a pardon, Jesse James enters the story, and an actual pirate ship runs afoul of the law... Issue #71 – Sept 3rd, 2026

Ahoy,

Was Jesse James a pirate?

Not exactly. But pirates and Wild West outlaws had more in common than you might think—and this week, Jesse shares a date with one of the biggest events of the Golden Age: the King’s Pardon.

Plus, an actual pirate ship gets seized in Hawaii, and the Maritime Museum of San Diego has summoned The Pirate Republic for a pirate invasion of the waterfront.

Pirates, outlaws, pardons and plunder—let’s get underway. 🏴‍☠️ 

Welcome to Episode 71 of The Pirate Republic.

📜 THIS WEEK IN PIRATE HISTORY

👑 September 5, 1717 — The King Offers the Pirates a Way Out

By 1717, piracy in the Caribbean had become a serious problem for the British Empire.

Nassau had become a pirate stronghold, merchant ships were being attacked throughout the West Indies, and men like Benjamin Hornigold, Charles Vane and Edward Thatch—soon to become infamous as Blackbeard—were operating with increasing boldness.

King George decided to try something other than the gallows.

On September 5, 1717, he issued his Proclamation for Suppressing of Pirates, better remembered as the King's Pardon or Act of Grace.

The offer was extraordinary: Give up piracy and the King would forgive you.

Pirates who surrendered to the proper authorities by September 5, 1718 could receive a royal pardon for acts of piracy committed before January 5, 1718. For those who refused, the proclamation also established substantial rewards for their capture.

And the pirates were faced with a choice: Take the pardon and live... or remain a pirate and hang.

Some took the deal. Benjamin Hornigold accepted a pardon and eventually became a pirate hunter himself. Blackbeard would also accept a pardon in North Carolina—although his retirement from piracy proved rather short-lived.

Others weren't interested.

Charles Vane famously rejected the King's authority and kept right on sailing.

The age of the Pirate Republic was beginning to come to an end.

⚓ Pirate Republic Take

The King's Pardon wasn't simply an act of mercy.

It was a weapon.

Britain was essentially offering pirates a chance to walk away while simultaneously dividing their community into two camps: those ready to become respectable citizens again...

and those who would rather take their chances beneath the black flag. And we know which group makes for the better stories. 🏴‍☠️ 

---

🤠 September 5, 1847 — Jesse James Is Born

Exactly 130 years later, another legendary outlaw entered the world.

Jesse Woodson James was born September 5, 1847, in Clay County, Missouri.

After fighting as a Confederate guerrilla during the Civil War, Jesse and his brother Frank became two of America's most notorious outlaws, robbing banks, trains and stagecoaches as part of the James-Younger Gang.

Jesse wasn't a pirate.

But pirates and Wild West outlaws have always had quite a bit in common.

Both operated outside the law. Both targeted valuable commerce—merchant ships on the sea, banks and trains on land. Both formed tightly knit crews or gangs. Both were hunted relentlessly by authorities.

And perhaps most importantly, both became legends much larger than the real people behind them.

Blackbeard became the archetypal pirate.

Jesse James became the archetypal Western outlaw.

History turned both men into characters.

🏴‍☠️ And in the Storm of Time...

Of course, readers of Pirates of the Wild West know there's another connection.

In my version of history, the distance between pirates and Wild West outlaws becomes considerably smaller when Blackbeard, Anne Bonny, Mary Read and the other pirates of the Golden Age are thrown forward through time into the American West—and cross paths with Jesse and Frank James.

Suddenly it's not: Pirates versus outlaws.

It's: What happens when history's most notorious pirates meet history's most notorious gunslingers?

And if you haven't read it yet... Well, I know a book. 😉🏴‍☠️ 

🏴‍☠️ Modern Pirate News: The Authorities Seize the Treasure Seeker

Some things haven't changed in 300 years.

A pirate ship sails into port.

The authorities don't like where it's anchored.

The government seizes the vessel.

And the pirate loses his ship.

The only real difference is that in 1726, the captain might have ended up in irons.

In 2026, apparently he gets a towing bill. 😂 

☠️ The Treasure Seeker Has a Past

Here's where the story gets even better. Treasure Seeker began life in 1974 as a commercial fishing vessel before eventually being converted into a pirate ship.

And before sailing Hawaiian waters, she was a San Diego pirate ship. The converted vessel was purchased and sailed roughly 2,400 nautical miles from San Diego to Honolulu, where entrepreneur John Longnecker launched a pirate-themed Waikiki cruise in 2013. Passengers aboard the 90-minute voyages encountered costumed pirates, fired water cannons, swabbed the decks and could even find themselves locked in the stocks for disobeying the captain.

In other words: A proper pirate cruise. 🏴‍☠️

Thirteen years later, Treasure Seeker has found herself on the wrong side of the authorities.

On August 27, 2026, Hawaii officials impounded the vessel and towed her from Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. The state says it is now preparing to dispose of the ship under Hawaii law. As of this writing, we haven't found confirmation that her final fate has been decided.

⚓ Pirate Republic Take

There's something wonderfully appropriate about this story.

A former fishing boat becomes a pirate ship in San Diego, crosses the Pacific to Hawaii, and spends years taking would-be buccaneers sailing off Waikiki.

And eventually... the authorities seize the pirate ship.

In the Golden Age of Piracy, the captain might have ended up in irons and the ship sold as a prize.

In 2026?

They tow your ship away and send you the bill.

Somewhere, Blackbeard is probably thinking: “We had it easier.” 🏴‍☠️😂 

Watch the Hawaii News Now footage of Treasure Seeker being towed away

🏴‍☠️ PIRATE EVENT — AHOY! PIRATES TAKE THE WATERFRONT

Pirates Are Invading San Diego Bay!

The crew at the Maritime Museum of San Diego sent word directly to The Pirate Republic: Pirates are taking over the San Diego waterfront! Plus offered a discount below for the pirate crew!

See More Info

For September 5–7 and September 19–20, throw on some pirate gear and head down to the historic ships lining San Diego Bay for special discounts, pirate activities, treasure hunting—and, naturally, opportunities to get out on the water.

And you don't need to arrive dressed like Blackbeard after raiding the costume department.

A pirate hat, bandana, eye patch, sash, vest, toy hook, pirate jewelry or other pirate accessory qualifies you for 25% OFF walk-up General Admission.

There's more plunder to be had:

· 🏴‍☠️ 25% off General Admission when you dress like a pirate

· 💰 25% off eligible Museum Store purchases of $40+

· 🎯 Pirate Plinko on select dates for Pilot Boat ticket holders, with pirate prizes up for grabs

· 🍹 Rum Bar September 19–20, with beer, wine and specialty rum cocktails

· ☠️ Captain Jack roaming the historic ships September 19–20

· ⚔️ $10 off Boarded! A New Pirate Adventure on September 19 when you come dressed as a pirate and use promo code PirateInvasion.

That last weekend is especially well timed because September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day.

I've spent quite a bit of time aboard the Maritime Museum's ships, and there aren't many better places in Southern California to unleash your inner pirate.

You're not wandering around a convention center pretending you're near the sea.

You're standing aboard historic ships with San Diego Bay beneath your boots.

So when the Maritime Museum sends a message to The Pirate Republic saying the pirates are taking over the waterfront... we consider that an official summons.

Grab your hat. Grab your crew. And tell them The Pirate Republic sent ye. 🏴‍☠️ 

Ahoy! Pirates Take the Waterfront — Maritime Museum of San Diego

💰🏴‍☠️ PIRATE JOKE OF THE WEEK

☠️ Captain’s Log

Pirates and outlaws lived in different centuries, but both became legends far larger than the men behind them.

And judging by this week's seized pirate ship and upcoming invasion of San Diego...

apparently we're still having trouble keeping pirates under control.

Until next week, keep your sails full, your powder dry—and if the King offers you a pardon... read the fine print.

Until next tide, me hearties—

Captain Blackquill ⚓🏴‍☠️

"For the sea keeps no legends... only those bold enough to become them."

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🎖️ THANKS FOR SAILING WITH THE CREW

We set sail every Friday, storm or shine — delivering pirate history, legends, and lore from across the seas.

Keep yer spyglass trained on the horizon,rest when the winds allow,and may your course be steady, your hold full, and your tales worth telling.

If ye stumble upon treasure, tall tales, or pirate lore worth sharing, send word to:📧 captainblackquill@gmail.com

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