Anne Bonny and Mary Read were two of the most feared female pirates of the early 18th century.

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Though pirates are often depicted with swords, most preferred guns when boarding enemy decks.

Pirates have hunted ships' bounty for as long as sailors have charted the open seas.

Pirates used a variety of plundered cannons and ammunition to intimidate ships on the high seas.

A qualified navigator was second only to the Captain as the most important member of a pirate crew.

Pirates paid a high price in their quest to capture golden booty, enduring disease and starvation while at sea.

There's more to pirates than parrots and plank-walking. Get the full story.