PIRATES

Pirates were dangerous outlaws who steal from ships on the seas. There are many colourful stories about pirates, but piracy was actually a well-organised and serious business for many years. Sometimes the pirates would work for a country. They were interested in treasures so after taking their valuables, they rarely killed people. Although many pirate ships had a black flag bearing a white skull and crossbones, all pirate ships had a different flag. Many pirates designed their own banners. A few pirates were famous. Edward Teach was one of history’s most famous pirates. He was known as Blackbeard because of his long, black beard. He enjoyed a long and rich career working in the waters off North America. Piracy got less and less in the 1800s and 1900s. One reason is naval patrols or sea police of the ocean. The governments think piracy is against the law.