Pirates in Pittsburgh: A Look at the City’s Rich History of Piracy
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a city known for its steel mills, its sports teams, and its rivers. But many people may not know that Pittsburgh has a rich history of piracy. Pirates have been a part of Pittsburgh’s history since the city was founded in 1758. The city’s location on the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers made it an ideal spot for pirates to hide and launch their raids.
The first recorded pirate in Pittsburgh was John Paul Jones, who is often referred to as the “Father of the American Navy”. Jones was a Scottish sailor who was commissioned by the newly formed Continental Navy in 1777. Jones and his crew sailed up the Ohio River, attacking British supply ships and trading posts. In 1779, Jones and his crew raided a British supply ship in Pittsburgh, stealing supplies and cannons. Jones’s raids were so successful that he was eventually promoted to the rank of Captain.
During the late 1700s and early 1800s, Pittsburgh was a hotbed of piracy. Pirates would hide in the city’s many coves and rivers, waiting for unsuspecting ships to pass by. Pirates would then attack the ships, stealing their cargo and taking prisoners. The most infamous pirate of this period was known as “Black Sam” Bellamy. Bellamy and his crew were responsible for the theft of at least six ships in the Pittsburgh area. In 1812, Bellamy and his crew were captured by the US Navy and brought to trial.
Piracy in Pittsburgh eventually died out in the mid-1800s, as the city’s economy shifted away from shipping and trade. However, the city’s pirate history still lives on in the form of popular tourist attractions. The Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team is named after the city’s pirate past, and the Carnegie Science Center has a permanent exhibit devoted to piracy and its history. The city also hosts an annual “PirateFest”, a celebration of Pittsburgh’s pirate heritage that includes live music, pirate-themed food, and a costume contest.
Piracy may no longer be a part of Pittsburgh’s history, but the city’s pirate past is still a major part of its identity. The city’s rivers and coves still offer a glimpse into the past, and the city’s pirate-themed attractions serve as a reminder of the city’s rich history of piracy. Pittsburgh may no longer be a haven for pirates, but it will always be a city with a pirate spirit.