The 7 Most Terrifying Pirates From History

www.cracked.com:

Between Johnny Depp and numerous sports logos, pirates have become cartoon characters in modern culture.

It's easy to forget that the real thing did exist, and that in many cases they were much more badass than the Hollywood version.

Don't take the word "badass" the wrong way; these men were unspeakably violent, often mass murderers and slaveholders. They were pirates, real pirates, not goofy caricatures. Here's proof.

Read the whole story: www.cracked.com

Comments

[triplettam]

07:09 PM on 08/20/2011

I love "Cracked." Besides the humor, it's usually pretty good history too and back up everything with links.

[SuiginTou7]

06:57 PM on 08/20/2011

Come on, what about the Pirate Queen?
About 1530, on coast of western Ireland, the mighty chieftain “Black Oak” O’Malley welcomed a new baby daughter. She would grow up to become one of the greatest and most feared women in maritime history.

Grania ny Maille, better known as Grace O’Malley, eventually took over her father’s fleet of well-armed galleys and became the scourge of the seas, raiding merchant ships that sailed the rich trading routes between Europe, England, Scotland and Ireland. Her fleet grew so large, and her men were so feared, that she drove the English queen, Elizabeth, into a frenzy.

[belldn3]

11:57 AM on 08/20/2011

Is Cap'n Crunch on the list???????????? He is a pirate.

[shelchak]

01:04 AM on 08/20/2011

And as usual, they ignored the women... I hereby honor Grace O'Malley, Queen of Connaught, who terrorized any British ships that got too near the west coast of Ireland -- huzzah!!!!

[jokamachi]

10:18 PM on 08/21/2011

Irish pirates rule.