Pirate Years

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Woodcut of Mary Read

When Mary’s ship to the West Indies was unexpectedly captured by pirates in the year 1720, Mary- fearless and adventurous as she was- immediately and willingly agreed to join the pirates’ crew. Still dressed as a man, Mary was initiated into the notorious Calico Jack’s gang of shady sailors, sailing the seas and plundering other ships for money and valuables. 

While sailing and stealing with Captain Jack’s crew, Mary met a woman with whom she had quite a bit in common: Anne Bonny. Anne was a pirate like Mary and, as fate would have it, she had also been living her life dressing, speaking, and acting like a man.

Mary Read
Pirate Years