From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| John Rackham |
| unknown - November 17, 1720 |
The flag of Calico Jack |
| Nickname: |
Calico Jack |
| Type: |
Pirate |
| Place of birth: |
Bristol, England |
| Place of death: |
Spanish Town, Jamaica |
| Allegiance: |
England |
| Rank: |
Captain |
| Base of Operations: |
West Indies |
| Commands: |
The Treasure |
Jack Rackham (b. 16?? (unknown) - d. November 17,? 1720 in Jamaica), also known as Jack Rackam, Calico Jack Rackham or Calico Jack, was an English pirate captain during the early 18th century. His nickname was derived from the calico clothing he wore.[1][citation needed] John Rackham is remembered for employing two of the most notorious female pirates of his time – Anne Bonny and Mary Read – in his crew. Rackham and his crew were captured on October 20, 1720 by an armed sloop sent out by the governor of Jamaica. Rackham and his crew were subsequently tried and executed in Jamaica. Only the two women of the crew (Bonny and Read), who were disguised as men, fought the captures of his crew. Anne Bonny and Mary Read were not executed, because they both said they were pregnant.[citation needed] Captured and hanged, Rackham's body was gibbeted, hung in a cage, on display on a very small island at a main entrance to Port Royal, Jamaica as a warning to other pirates. This is referenced in the Disney film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in which several pirates are hung from an open caveface in the film rendition of Port Royal. Calico Jack's flag was used in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End as the Black Pearl's pirate flag.
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