Guest Speaker Donald G. Shomette discusses the dark and daring history of pirates on the Chesapeake Bay.

When most people think of pirates, their imagination sails south to the Caribbean or across the Atlantic. But as our speaker reminds us, the Chesapeake Bay itself was once a hotbed of piracy, privateering, and naval intrigue.

The 17th and 18th centuries turned the Chesapeake into one of the busiest waterways in the New World. Its fertile tobacco trade, bustling shipping routes, and countless rivers and inlets made it both prosperous — and perilously vulnerable. Pirates lurked in these waters, ambushing merchant ships, terrorizing settlements, and carving their names into our region’s history.

Guiding us through this fascinating story is Donald G. Shomette, a renowned maritime historian and author. His groundbreaking work has uncovered the hidden world of pirates and privateers who operated right here in the Bay. From legendary figures like Blackbeard to little-known local raiders, Shomette brings to life the danger, drama, and enduring legacy of piracy in our own backyard.

Synopsis of the Talk

• Origins & Context: Shomette begins with the early colonial period, when weak governance, vast waterways, and international conflict created fertile ground for piracy.

• Notable Figures: He highlights notorious characters like Blackbeard and French pirate Lewis Guittar, showing how they terrorized trade routes and even confronted colonial officials.

• Major Incidents: The lecture recounts Dutch raids, pirate skirmishes, and government attempts to restore order—often failing due to corruption or lack of naval power.

• Impact on Society: Piracy disrupted commerce, threatened settlements, and influenced colonial law and politics. Shomette shows how piracy blurred the lines between outlaws, privateers, and sanctioned warfare.

• Decline of Piracy: He concludes with the eventual suppression of piracy, culminating in events like the “Othello affair” of 1807, which signaled greater maritime stability.