Saturday, May 24th, 2025, there was a pyrate invasion of Charleston. Bootstrap Ginny was right in the middle of it with her loyal and very well dressed first mate, Knotty Kevin.
Not unlike Blackbeard’s infamous blockade in 1718, (307 years ago if you’re counting), this invasion was serious pyrate business. First, there were (as you would surmise) pyrates everywhere!
Our fleet of pyrates were recruited and led by Captain (Adam) Marrow. Captain Marrow writes and publishes the daily Shipwrecked with Captain Marrow blog and has authored three exceptional pyrate titles:
If you’re into pyrate ghosts and buried treasure, (and if you’re not, you should be!), then Captain Marrow’s two (count’em TWO!) books concerning such matters should be on your pyrate bookshelf.
Arabian Gold deserves its own mention as this book is a jewel. Captain Marrow dives deep into the history of colonial Charles Towne and how pyrates…YES! pyrates…were front and center in the financial and political founding of the city.
Sidenote: Bootstrap Ginny touched on the Red Sea pirates in this plunderin’: The Fenwich Pyrate
Under the Black Flag was held at the Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon on E. Bay St. in Charleston. They were lovely hosts and seemed to enjoy the pyrate (author) invasion. If you have not visited, put it on your pyrate bucket list. Stede Bonnet and some of his crew were held in the dungeon prior to their hanging in December 1718.
As you might imagine, the dungeon is said to be haunted…
Displays of pyrate artifacts and historical reproductions were also part of the invasion.
There was indeed a pyrate trial re-enactment wherein (former) pyrate George Raynor and his band of Red Sea “friends” purchased a peaceful resolution to their arrival in Charles Towne in 1692.
Many thanks to Captain Marrow for including Bootstrap Ginny in the Under the Black Flag event! Here are some more pics of the event for your viewing pleasure.
Now, time for grog! Hope to see you next year at Charleston: Under the Black Flag!!
Many thanks to my first mate and dear friend, Knotty Kevin, for making the Virginia Chandler table and decor! Every pyrate needs a Kevin but get your own! You can’t have mine!
Virginia Chandler 