Roche Braziliano facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Roche Braziliano
An illustration of Roche Braziliano in Alexandre Exquemelin's The Buccaneers of America (1678)
Born	27 February 1630 Groningen, Netherlands
Disappeared	c. 1671 At sea
Status	Body never found
Piratical career
Type	Dutch buccaneer
Years active	1654–1671
Base of operations	Port Royal, Jamaica

Roche Braziliano (born around 1630 – disappeared around 1671) was a famous Dutch pirate from Groningen, Netherlands. His pirate adventures lasted from 1654 until he vanished around 1671. He became well-known from a 1678 book called The Buccaneers of America by Alexandre Exquemelin.

Historians believe his real name was Gerrit Gerritszoon. He and his family moved to Dutch-controlled Brazil when he was young. He got the name "Roche Braziliano," which means "Rock the Brazilian," because he lived in Brazil for a long time.

Adventures as a Pirate

Roche Braziliano was a buccaneer who sailed from Port Royal, Jamaica. He started as a privateer in Bahia, Brazil. A privateer was like a pirate, but they had permission from a government to attack enemy ships.

In 1654, he moved to Port Royal. He led a mutiny (when a crew takes control of a ship from its captain) and became a buccaneer. On his first trip, he captured a very valuable ship and brought it safely back to Jamaica.

Braziliano was once caught and sent to Spain. But he managed to escape! His followers threatened to get revenge if he wasn't released. After escaping, he quickly went back to his pirate life. He bought a new ship from another pirate named François l'Olonnais. He also sailed with famous pirates like Sir Henry Morgan and Joseph Bradley. Braziliano's first mate, Yellows, even became a captain himself. They all worked together to raid Spanish ships and towns.

His Reputation and Fear

Roche Braziliano was known for his demanding nature. He was very strict and expected everyone to follow his orders. He was also known for being very harsh with his Spanish prisoners. The Spanish people feared him so much that mothers would sometimes use his name to make their children behave.

What Happened to Roche Braziliano?

After 1671, Roche Braziliano was never seen or heard from again. To this day, no one knows what happened to the Dutch pirate. People wonder if he and his ship were lost at sea in a big storm. Maybe he was secretly captured, or perhaps he decided to stop being a pirate and live a quiet life. It's still a mystery!

Roche Braziliano in Stories and Games

Roche Braziliano has appeared in many stories and games:

• A pirate named Roc Brasiliano was played by Anthony Quinn in the 1952 adventure movie Against All Flags.
• He is one of the pirates you can find in the video game Sid Meier's Pirates!
• The ghost of Captain Roche is a boss you can fight in the game Renowned Explorers: International Society.
• He might be the inspiration for a character named Rocks D. Xebec in the Japanese manga and anime One Piece.
• "Rock Braziliano" is also a playable character in the board game "Tortuga 1667".

Images for kids

• 

  An old illustration showing Roc the Brazilian capturing a boat's crew.

See also

In Spanish: Roche Brasiliano para niños

• List of people who disappeared mysteriously at sea