In the latest of his series on local history, Post & Courier columnist Brian Hicks takes a look at piracy.
“Charles Town had soured on pirates long before Blackbeard blockaded the city for ransom in June 1718.
In years past, these colorful criminals had the run of the city and its taverns. Even after British officials ordered the colony to ban pirates, they were welcomed into port. Charles Town merchants had decided these cutthroats were also cut-rate traders, and London wasn’t sending them any cheaper supplies.
This profitable relationship endured until the scoundrels started hijacking the city’s rice ships. The pirates simply considered it good sport, and easy profits, but Gov. Robert Johnson declared war.”
For links to more of Brian Hicks’ columns on local history CLICK HERE and HERE