Only 28 when he died, he was called "Black Sam" because he never wore a periwig, but preferred his own thick black hair, often tied at his nape.
Sam Bellamy is also remembered as one of the wealthiest pirates in history. His pirating career lasted only about a year, but in that short time he captured 53 ships. In 1984 his ship, the Whydah, was found in about 14 feet of water and containing sterling silver, ivory gold and even jewels.
Sam Bellamy was an extremely eloquent pirate. Here's two of his famous speeches:
"I am sorry they won't let you have your sloop again, for I scorn to do any one a mischief, when it is not to my advantage; damn the sloop, we must sink her, and she might be of use to you. Though you are a sneaking puppy, and so are all those who will submit to be governed by laws which rich men have made for their own security; for the cowardly whelps have not the courage otherwise to defend what they get by knavery; but damn ye altogether: damn them for a pack of crafty rascals, and you, who serve them, for a parcel of hen-hearted numbskulls. They vilify us, the scoundrels do, when there is only this difference, they rob the poor under the cover of law, forsooth, and we plunder the rich under the protection of our own courage. Had you not better make then one of us, than sneak after these villains for employment?"
"You are a devilish conscience rascal! I am a free prince, and I have as much authority to make war on the whole world as he who has a hundred sail of ships at sea and an army of 100,000 men in the field; and this my conscience tells me! But there is no arguing with such sniveling puppies, who allow superiors to kick them about deck at pleasure."
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