Pirate ships were no place for women. In fact, many pirates actually banned women from being onboard altogether, and anyone who brought a female onto the ship could be killed as punishment. There were two women who ignored these rules though, and succeeded in becoming two of the most famous pirates of all time. Their names were Anne Bonny and Mary Read. 

Anne’s life as a pirate began in 1719, when she met the pirate Captain Jack Rackam, or Calico Jack as he was known. Jack asked Anne to be his girlfriend and sail away with him on his ship. She agreed and joined his pirate crew, dressing in male clothing to hide the fact that she was a woman from the other pirates. Soon enough, Anne became pregnant and left the ship briefly to have her baby. When she returned, she found that someone else had joined the crew — Mary Read. The pirates had captured Mary when they raided a merchant ship, and she joined the pirates. However, like Anne, she also dressed like a man and hid her true identity. Eventually, Anne and Mary revealed to each other that they were women, and they quickly became firm friends.

A dangerous double act, they roved the waves of the Caribbean and proved themselves fearsome pirates as they fought in battle alongside the rest of the crew. The pair did not adventure together for long though. In November 1720, their ship was captured by privateer Captain Jonathan Barnet, who was paid to hunt down pirates. Captain Jack and his crew quickly surrendered, but Anne and Mary refused. They shouted angrily at their cowardly shipmates to fight with them but had no luck, and in the end they were defeated. 

Drawing of Captain Jack Rackam.

Modern interpretation of Anne Bonny.

THE END.