Buccaneer facts for kids

A buccaneer from an old book about pirates.

Buccaneers were a special kind of sea adventurer who sailed the Caribbean Sea in the 1600s and 1700s. They were a mix of privateers and pirates. They first appeared around 1625 on the island of Hispaniola. Their busiest time was from 1660 to about 1688. During these years, governments in the Caribbean were not strong enough to stop them.

The name "buccaneer" first described hunters on the islands of Tortuga and Hispaniola. These hunters caught wild pigs and cattle. They smoked the meat over a slow fire in small huts called boucans. This smoked meat, called viande boucanée (or jerky), was sold to sailors who attacked Spanish ships. Eventually, the name "buccaneer" was used for these sea adventurers themselves. They were also known as the Brethren of the Coast. Some buccaneers were like pirates, acting without rules. Others were privateers, meaning they had permission from countries like France, England, or the Netherlands to attack Spanish ships.

Where Did the Name "Buccaneer" Come From?

The word "buccaneer" comes from an old Caribbean word, buccan. This word described a wooden frame used by the Tainos and Caribs to slowly roast or smoke meat. French hunters on Hispaniola adopted this method to smoke meat from wild cattle and pigs. They called these frames boucans, and the hunters became known as boucaniers. Later, English settlers changed boucanier to "buccaneer."

The Rise of the Buccaneers in the Caribbean

Around 1630, French settlers were pushed out of Hispaniola. They moved to the nearby island of Tortuga. At first, these French buccaneers were mostly hunters. But Spanish efforts to get rid of them and their prey animals made them turn to sea raiding. Moving to Tortuga, which was easier to defend, also pushed them towards piracy.

From Hunters to Sea Adventurers

One famous buccaneer, Pierre Le Grand, was among the first to attack Spanish ships returning to Spain. Soon, many more adventurers from France, the Netherlands, and England joined them. They focused on Spanish ships, often using small boats to attack large galleons. With support from European powers who were rivals of Spain, they grew strong. They even sailed to the mainland of Spanish America, known as the Spanish Main, and raided cities.

Buccaneers were different because they had permanent bases in the West Indies. Tortuga was their main base. They also sometimes took over other strongholds like Providence. Ports like Port Royal in Jamaica welcomed them and their treasures. At first, buccaneers came from many different countries. But as European governments became stronger, buccaneers from different nations separated. Eventually, they were mostly stopped, leaving only small groups of pirates.

English settlers in Jamaica helped spread the name "buccaneers" to mean pirates. This name became widely known after Alexandre Exquemelin's book, The Buccaneers of America, was published in English in 1684.

How Governments Used Buccaneers

From England's point of view, using buccaneers was a cheap way to fight Spain. The English king gave buccaneers special licenses called letters of marque. These licenses made their attacks legal in exchange for a share of their profits. Jamaica's Governor Thomas Modyford invited buccaneers to use Port Royal as their base. They robbed Spanish ships and towns, bringing their loot back to Port Royal. This made Port Royal a very rich city. Sometimes, even Royal Navy officers, like Christopher Myngs, led buccaneers. Their actions continued whether England was officially at war with Spain or not.

Famous Buccaneer Leaders

Some well-known buccaneer leaders included two Frenchmen: Jean-David Nau, better known as François l'Ollonais, and Daniel Montbars. Montbars was called "the Exterminator" because he destroyed so many Spanish ships and fought many Spaniards.

Another famous leader was the Welshman Henry Morgan. He raided important Spanish cities like Maracaibo, Portobello, and Panama City. He stole a huge amount of treasure from the Spanish. Morgan became very wealthy and returned to England. There, King Charles II made him a knight.

Life and Rules Aboard Buccaneer Ships

Buccaneer groups had their own unique rules. They valued liberty, equality, and fraternity. The captain was chosen by the crew and could be removed by their votes. The crew, not just the captain, decided which ships or towns to attack. Any treasures they found were divided fairly among everyone. The captain usually received a bit more for the ship and a larger share of the money.

Crews did not get regular salaries. They were paid only from their share of the plunder. This system was called "no purchase, no pay" or "no prey, no pay." Buccaneers had a strong team spirit. This helped them win many battles and raids. They even had a system to pay for injuries received in battle.

How Buccaneers Fought Their Battles

Buccaneers were known for their clever and surprising attack methods.

Sneaky Sea Attacks

At sea, buccaneers often used small boats to sneak up on Spanish galleons. They would often attack at night. They would quickly climb aboard before anyone could raise an alarm. Buccaneers were excellent shooters. They would quickly take control of the ship. Their reputation often led towns and ships to surrender quickly.

Surprise Land Raids

When buccaneers attacked towns, they usually did not sail directly into the port and bombard the defenses. Instead, they would secretly land their ships out of sight. Then, they would march overland and attack the towns from the side facing the land. This side was usually less protected. Their raids depended on surprise and moving very fast. The raid on Campeche in 1663 was one of the first such attacks. Many later raids, like the attack on Veracruz in 1683, used similar tactics.

The End of the Buccaneer Era

Spanish authorities always saw buccaneers as invaders and a threat to their control in the Caribbean. Over time, other European powers also began to see them this way. These new powers had claimed and secured their own territories in the area. They needed to protect their trade and settlements. Buccaneers who did not settle down and find legal work became a problem for everyone. This change in how governments viewed them helped bring an end to the buccaneer era.

What Happened to Captured Buccaneers?

Buccaneers who were caught by authorities faced severe consequences. Many ended their lives by hanging. While public displays of justice were common, the most gruesome details of these punishments are not suitable for discussion. Sometimes, for very famous captains, their bodies were displayed as a warning to others. Less severe punishments included being placed in a pillory, which was a way to shame someone publicly for their crimes.

Buccaneers in Books and Stories

After the buccaneer threat faded, their stories became popular in books. Writers like Daniel Defoe helped make buccaneers seem like brave and independent adventurers. His works, such as Robinson Crusoe (1719) and Captain Singleton (1720), along with A General History of the Pyrates (1724), shaped how people imagined these sea adventurers for generations.

See Also

• Pierre le Grand (pirate)
• Piracy in the Caribbean
• William Dampier
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers