Bartholomew Roberts' crew drinking rum at the Calabar River in West Africa. Bartholomew Roberts (1682-1722) was a Welsh pirate who raided ships off America and West Africa between 1719 and 1722. He was the most successful pirate of the Golden Age of Piracy, as measured by vessels captured, taking over 470 prizes in his career. He is also known as Black Bart. In 1723 Roberts had captured the Neptune, and many of his crew were drunk and unfit for duty just when he needed them most. Captain Roberts was killed by a grapeshot, which struck him in the throat while he stood on the deck. Before his body could be captured his wish to be buried at sea was fulfilled by his crew. They weighed his body down and threw it overboard after wrapping it in his ship's sail. It was never found. Rum plays a part in the culture of most islands of the West Indies as well as in the Canadian Maritimes and Newfoundland. This beverage has famous associations with the Royal Navy (mixed with water or beer to make grog) and piracy (consumed as bumbo). Rum has also served as a popular medium of economic exchange, used to help fund enterprises such as slavery, organized crime, and military insurgencies.
