He was the most successful pirate of the Golden Age of Piracy as measured by vessels captured.
He sailed upon the Royal Rover, the Fortune, the Royal Fortune, and the Good Fortune.
If we are to believe the claims, Roberts was perhaps the most successful pirate of all time, with the capture of over 400 ships and over £50 million of booty in a career that spanned a mere 2 years and six months. While these numbers might be an exaggeration, there is no doubt, he was a dangerous and daring pirate when he came into his own.
He is also known as Black Bart (Welsh: Barti Ddu), but this name was never used in his lifetime.
Roberts began his seafaring life in a merchant ship, but soon realised that there was more money to be made in a less reputable trade. He was elected captain of a pirate ship just a few weeks after joining it, and set about raiding the Atlantic world.
Roberts was the archetypal pirate captain in his love of fine clothing and jewelry, but he had some traits unusual in a pirate, notably a preference for drinking tea rather than rum.
He certainly disliked drunkenness while at sea, yet it appears that he drank beer.
Ironically, Roberts' final defeat was facilitated by the drunkenness of his crew.
He had a taste for fine and flamboyant clothing, wearing rich crimson damask waistcoats and a gold chain around his neck.
His ship had a black flag which depicted Roberts himself standing with a skeleton and holding an hour glass a suitably chilling image to adorn a ship intent on violence.
He even had a ‘pirate code’, which ensured that each crew member voted on the affairs of the ship, and that food and plunder were distributed equally. Weapons were to be kept clean and ready for action, while marooning, mutilation and death were just some of the punishments handed out to those who broke the rules.Â
His career was cut short by pirate hunters however. He died in battle and became a pirate legend!Â