Black Bart

Born in Pembrokeshire (Wales) in 1682, Bartholomew Roberts was a famous pirate of the early 18th century, and the most successful buccaneer of the Golden Age of Piracy, capturing over 450 vessels in just two years.  Roberts was forced into piracy after his ship was captured by pirates off West Africa in 1719 . The captain of that pirate ship was another  Welshman  -Howell Davies - (1690-1719) who was also born in Pembrokeshire - in the same town as the Thomas family ancestors (owners of Black Bart Navy Rum).

In February 1722 Black Bart was eventually killed during a sea battle with HMS Swallow off Cape Lopez (Gabon). Roberts had made his crew promise that they would never let his body be taken back to Britain, so true to their word, after he was mortally wounded, they threw his body overboard during the battle. It was never found.