Famous Pirates and Port Royal:

Port Royal's glory days as the greatest of the pirate ports were brief but noteworthy. Many famous pirates and privateers of the day passed through Port Royal. Here are some of the more memorable moments of Port Royal as a pirate haven.

In 1668, legendary privateer Captain Henry Morgan departed for his famous attack on the city of Portobello from Port Royal.
In 1669, Morgan followed up with an attack on Lake Maracaibo, also launched from Port Royal.
In 1671, Morgan made his greatest and final raid, the sacking of the city of Panama, launched from Port Royal.
On August 25, 1688, Captain Morgan died in Port Royal and was given a send-off worthy of the greatest of the privateers: warships in port fired their guns, he lay in state at the King's House, and his body was carried through town on a gun carriage to its final resting place.
In December of 1718, pirate John "Calico Jack" Rackham captured the merchant ship Kingston within sight of Port Royal, infuriating local merchants, who sent bounty hunters after him.
On November 18, 1720, Rackham and four other pirates who had been captured were hanged at Gallows Point at Port Royal. Two of his crewmates - Anne Bonny and Mary Read - were spared because they were both pregnant.
On March 29, 1721, infamous pirate Charles Vane was hanged at Gallows Point in Port Royal.