Pirates and privateering were a significant part of Chesapeake Bay history and the development of Virginia and Maryland.

The Chesapeake Region may not have been known for rum, but pirates?

Pirates and privateers were a major presence in the Chesapeake Bay for nearly 200 years, and the area’s history is rich with stories of piracy.  Learn about the history of piracy on the Chesapeake Bay during the colonial period. The Chesapeake Bay was at the center of economic development in colonial times with ships carrying priceless cargo.  Find out how piracy impacted the shipping on the Bay and colonial trades.