iowa camping In later years, the explorers were followed by adventurers of a different sort. Pirates, corsairs, b

In later years, the explorers were followed by adventurers of a different sort. Pirates, corsairs, brigands, ne r-do-wells and privateers all drawn by the promise of easy pickings and quick riches flocked to the Bahamas in the thousands. Men such as the notorious Edward Teach (Blackbeard), Calico Jack Rakham, Henry Morgan, Major Bonnet, and nefarious women buccaneers such as Anne Bonney (Calico Jack s mistress), and Mary Reed scoured the seas in search of vulnerable merchant ships carrying gold, silver and jewels. Only slightly better were the so-called privateers, such as Francis Drake and John Hawkins, who pillaged and plundered in the name of whatever sovereign happened to be on the throne at the time.