š“āā ļø We're Buying a Pirate Ship. Who's Coming?
Just $3,705 per pirate! Plus, Thomas Tew's shady deal, modern sea rogues & pirate festivals!... Issue #80 ā Nov 6th, 2026
Ahoy, Matey
Captain Blackquill here, and this week I've got a proposition for ye. We've found a genuine pirate-style ship for sale, and if 100 members of the Republic each cough up a few thousand doubloons, we could be sailing the seven seas by Christmas! What could possibly go wrong?
Meanwhile, we're digging into Thomas Tew's rather convenient arrangement with a colonial governor, catching up with modern pirates who apparently shop for boarding ladders at the hardware store, and charting a course for two upcoming Renaissance festivals.
So pour yerself a rum, gather yer crew, and prepare for another voyage into pirate history, high-seas mischief, and thoroughly questionable business opportunities!
TO THE REPUBLIC!Ā š“āā ļø
Welcome to Episode 80 of The Pirate Republic.
š THIS WEEK IN PIRATE HISTORY
November 8, 1694 ā Thomas Tew: The Pirate Who Bought His Way Back to Sea!
What do ye do when you've made a fortune in piracy and want to do it all over again? Find a governor willing to sell ye permission!
By November 1694, Captain Thomas Tew was already a wealthy man.
The Rhode Island pirate had returned from the Red Sea after capturing a richly laden merchant vessel aboard his sloop, the Amity. The prize was enormous. One contemporary account reported that Tew's men received an astonishing Ā£1,200 eachĀ from the plunder.
Back in Newport, Tew was hardly treated like a criminal. His riches were welcomed, his company sought after, and even influential colonial officials were happy to associate with him.
But retirement wasn't in the captain's plans.
Tew wanted another voyage to the Red Sea, where wealthy merchant ships promised fortunes far greater than those available in ordinary Atlantic trade.
There was just one problem.
He needed a letter of marqueāan official commission authorizing attacks on specified enemy vessels.
Tew reportedly offered Rhode Island Governor John Easton Ā£500 for such a commission, but Easton refused.
No matter.
Tew found a more accommodating official in New York.
Governor Benjamin Fletcher.
Fletcher entertained the wealthy pirate, welcomed him into fashionable society, and ultimately granted him a privateering commission.
On November 8, 1694, Fletcher's council approved the granting of a commission to Tew, providing the official cover for another voyage.
The captain who had already made a fortune attacking merchant ships was once again preparing to sail under the protection of government paperwork.
And the authorities knew where he intended to go.
The Red Sea.
Tew's second voyage would bring him into the company of another notorious pirate, Henry Every, in 1695.
But this time, fortune would abandon him.
During an attack on a merchant vessel, Tew was killed by a cannon shot, bringing his remarkable career to a violent end.
The pirate who had returned home rich enough to mingle with governors would never enjoy his second fortune.
š“āā ļø THE CAPTAIN BLACKQUILL TAKE:Ā Thomas Tew discovered that the difference between a pirate and a privateer sometimes came down to knowing the right governorāand having enough gold to keep him smiling. Unfortunately, a letter of marque offered precious little protection against a cannonball!
ā ļø MODERN PIRACY REPORT
Pirates Behaving Badly: Hijackings, Gunfire & a Very Unfortunate Boarding Party!
Ahoy, mateys! Think piracy ended 300 years ago?
Someone forgot to tell the scallywags still prowling the world's shipping lanes! From Somalia to Indonesia, modern buccaneers have been busy making mischiefāand occasionally making fools of themselves.
š“āā ļø October 29 ā Somali Pirates Steal a Ship. The Indian Navy Says, "Not So Fast!"
A dozen modern-day buccaneers hijacked the Iranian fishing dhow AZINIĀ off Somalia's Puntland coast.
In the Golden Age, stealing a vessel was often the first step toward bigger plunder. Why buy a pirate ship when ye can steal one?
But these scallywags overlooked one rather important detail.
The Indian Navy!
Following a 48-hour operation, Indian naval forces intercepted the dhow on November 2 and safely rescued its crew.
THE PIRATE REPUBLIC TAKE:Ā Blackbeard once commanded a fleet. These lads barely managed one fishing boat before the Indian Navy came along to spoil their retirement plans!
āļø October 29 ā Indonesian Pirates Caught on Camera!
At Indonesia's Belawan Anchorage, a gang of sea thieves boarded a cargo ship and began helping themselves to the ship's stores.
But their shopping spree took an unexpected turn when a crew member spotted them and started recording!
One robber threatened the sailor before the gang escaped in a waiting boat with their stolen supplies.
THE PIRATE REPUBLIC TAKE:Ā In the old days, pirates feared the Royal Navy. Today, they also need to worry about starring in someone's security footage. Smile for the wanted poster, ye scurvy dogs!
š October 26ā28 ā Gulf of Aden Pirates Bring Their Own Ladders!
Maritime security monitors reported suspicious small craft carrying boarding ladders and equipment near merchant shipping routes in the Gulf of Aden.
No confirmed attack was established in these reports, but the activity certainly raised eyebrows.
Blackbeard had cannons. Calico Jack had cutlasses. These modern sea rogues?
Ladders.
THE PIRATE REPUBLIC TAKE:Ā Apparently, modern piracy starts with a trip to the hardware store. Just remember, lads, the ship has to slow down before ye can climb aboard!
š„ October 7 ā Red Sea Pirates Open Fire. Merchant Ship Fires Back!
Suspected pirates approached a container ship in the Red Sea and reportedly opened fire.
But this merchantman wasn't about to surrender!
The crew retreated to its protected citadel, the captain increased speed, and onboard armed security returned fire.
The attackers quickly abandoned their assault.
THE PIRATE REPUBLIC TAKE:Ā The pirates came looking for easy plunder and discovered their target had teeth! Perhaps a little reconnaissance before opening fire next time, mateys?
ā ļø THE FINAL BROADSIDE
Four incidents. One rescued fishing vessel. One gang caught on camera. A suspicious collection of ladders. And a pirate attack that ended with the attackers beating a hasty retreat.
The ships have changed. The weapons have changed. But the lure of easy plunder remains!
And apparently, so does the occasional spectacularly bad pirate decision.
TO THE REPUBLIC!Ā š“āā ļø
Sources: ICC International Maritime Bureau, MarineLink, and Palaemon Maritime Security. Incidents are reported as described by maritime security sources; the commentary is satire.
šš“āā ļø PIRATE EVENT OF THE WEEK
āļø November 7ā8 ā Borderlands Renaissance Faire: Enter the Realm!
šĀ Ascarate Park, El Paso, Texasš 11 AM ā 6 PM
Ahoy, Texas buccaneers! A magical kingdom is rising in the desert, and all manner of rogues, knights, faeries, and wandering scallywags are invited!
The Borderlands Renaissance FaireĀ transforms Ascarate Park into a world of medieval combat, mystical creatures, wandering performers, artisan merchants, and plenty of food and drink.
Explore three fantastical realms, witness sword-fighting demonstrations, join immersive quests, and browse treasures from skilled craftspeople.
And if ye fancy arriving dressed as a pirate? By all means, matey! Costumes are encouraged!
š“āā ļø THE PIRATE REPUBLIC TAKE:Ā Three magical realms, sword fights, treasure merchants, and a tavern? Sounds like a fine place for a pirate to get lost for the weekend!
šļø Details & Tickets:Ā https://www.borderlandsrf.com/
ā ļø November 14ā15 ā PIRATE WEEKEND at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival!
šĀ Hammond, Louisianaš Approximately 9 AM ā 5 PM
ALL HANDS ON DECK, LOUISIANA!
The Louisiana Renaissance Festival is preparing to welcome a whole weekend dedicated to our favorite seafaring scoundrels!
On November 14 and 15, the festival's Pirate WeekendĀ invites buccaneers, privateers, and landlubbers alike to join the festivities.
Wander through the 16th-century English village of Albright, where hundreds of artisans, performers, and craftspeople bring history and fantasy to life.
Enjoy live entertainment, jousting knights, blacksmiths, glassblowers, unique merchants, and enough food and revelry to satisfy even the hungriest pirate crew.
So dust off yer tricorn, polish yer boots, and prepare for a weekend of swashbuckling adventure!
š“āā ļø THE PIRATE REPUBLIC TAKE:Ā Finally, a festival weekend where dressing like a pirate isn't merely acceptableāit's the whole point! Gather yer crew, Louisiana. The pirates are coming ashore!
šļø Details & Tickets:Ā https://www.renfest.net/places/shows/pirates-nov-14-15
š°š“āā ļø PIRATE BOOTY OF THE WEEK
ā ļø WANTED: 100 PIRATES WITH $3,705 AND QUESTIONABLE MORALS!
The Pirate Republic is considering a new business venture, mateys. And we need a ship!
As luck would have it, we've discovered a magnificent 77-foot, galleon-style pirate ship for sale in Barcelona, Spain, for the modest sum of $370,526!
Built in 1953, this beauty comes complete with classic pirate-ship styling and a diesel engine for chasing merchantmen when the wind isn't cooperating.
Now, here's the proposition.
If 100 members of the Republic each contribute $3,705.26, we can purchase our very own pirate vessel, assemble a crew of modern-day buccaneers, and set sail for the world's most notorious pirate waters!
Our proposed itinerary?
First, the Gulf of Aden, where the local scallywags apparently favor boarding ladders over cannons. We'll bring our own ladders, naturally.
Next, Somalia, where we'll attempt to avoid the Indian Navy, which seems rather determined to spoil everyone's pirating adventures.
Then it's onward to Indonesia, where we'll practice the ancient art of stealing ship's supplies while attempting not to get caught on camera.
And finally, the Red Sea, where we'll carefully select vessels that aren't inclined to shoot back!
Our business plan is simple:Ā Plunder first. Figure out the legal consequences later.
Of course, there's the small matter of fuel, provisions, docking fees, maintenance, and an international collection of naval forces who might object to our entrepreneurial ambitions.
But what great pirate enterprise ever succeeded without a little risk?
š“āā ļø THE PIRATE REPUBLIC TAKE:Ā We're accepting applications for captain, quartermaster, navigator, cook, and one extremely talented maritime attorney. Experience preferred. Dental insurance unlikely. Rum negotiable.
Disclaimer: This is satire, mateys. The Pirate Republic is not actually recruiting criminals, organizing raids, or offering shares in a floating international incident. But the ship really is advertised for sale!
ā ļø Captainās Log
And there ye have it, mateys! Another week of pirate history, modern-day scallywags, and a perfectly reasonable opportunity to become part-owner of a pirate ship.
Now, if anyone knows a good maritime attorney willing to work for rum, send 'em my way!
Until next week, keep yer powder dry, yer treasure buried, and yer boarding ladders close at hand.
Fair winds and following seas!
Captain Blackquill The Pirate Republic
TO THE REPUBLIC!Ā š“āā ļø
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New voyages, bold stories, and rich plunder await those who sail with us.
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šļø THANKS FOR SAILING WITH THE CREW
We set sail every Friday, storm or shine ā 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:š§Ā captainblackquill@gmail.com
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