The Cape Lopez story begins with the scale of Bartholomew Roberts's career: more than four hundred captured vessels, from fishing boats to frigates. Killing a French colonial governor after taking a 52-gun frigate helped bring both British and French forces after him. Roberts nevertheless captured further French warships and the Royal African Company's frigate Onslow. The company's heavily armed ship and multinational crew show how chartered trading corporations projected coercive maritime power alongside state navies during the golden age of piracy.
Chapter · 28:46-32:07
Black Bart challenges navies and chartered companies
Bartholomew Roberts captures hundreds of vessels and even company warships, prompting both Britain and France to pursue a pirate force operating at near-naval scale.