In an extraordinary 30-month reign of terror, Bartholomew Roberts captured more than 400 vessels – making him one of the most ‘successful’ pirates of his era.
Born in South Wales in 1682, he earned the alias Black Bart after leading a murderous night raid on Principe, off the West African coast.
Despite his many torture and killing sprees, Roberts was renowned for only drinking tea. He had a penchant for fine clothes, too, which he adorned with a large diamond encrusted gold cross.
He finally came to grief on this day February 10, 1722, mortally wounded by a broadside from English man-‘o-war HMS Swallow, which reputedly ripped out his throat.
Black Bart is one of the notorious pirates featured on a popular Perth Mint $1 coin series aimed at young collectors.
