Golden Age of Piracy
goldenageofpiracy.bsky.social
Golden Age of Piracy
@goldenageofpiracy.bsky.social
Pirate historian and author. Historical facts and fictions.
Website: https://waynesavage.com/
A shot across the bows.
#maritimehistory #history
November 26, 2025 at 4:39 PM
A breakthrough in navigation, the sextant was used for measuring the angle between a celestial object and the horizon to determine latitude and longitude. It first appeared in the mid 18th century, so wouldn't have been available to pirates of the Golden Age.
#maritimehistory #c18th #history
November 24, 2025 at 4:08 PM
While Henry Morgan was pillaging in the Caribbean, disaster struck at home - The Great Fire of London.
waynesavage.com/the-great-fi...
#history #17thc
November 22, 2025 at 10:53 AM
I guess Monsieur Dulaien couldn't decided on the best symbol for his flag, so he took them all.
#piratehistory #pirates #history
November 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The sand glass, also known as an hourglass or sand clock, has been used since antiquity to keep track of time. It was essential for determining both speed and distance travelled at sea.
#maritimehistory #AgeOfSail #history
November 20, 2025 at 2:39 PM
An interesting account of the fight against piracy from the 16th century to the hanging of the last pirate captain in Boston in 1835.
#piratehistory #maritimehistory #historybookchat #history
November 18, 2025 at 2:43 PM
A reflecting circle, also known as a circle sextant, Borda circle, reflecting circle, or circumferator, was a circular instrument which used mirrors to measure the angular distance between two diverging objects at once.
#maritimehistory #AgeOfSail #history #c18th
November 17, 2025 at 4:26 PM
The Piracy Act 1670 was enacted during the reign of Charles II and its full name was 'An Act to prevent the delivery up of Merchants Shipps, and for the Increase of good and serviceable Shipping'.
#maritimehistory #AgeOfSail #piratehistory #history
November 14, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Made of wood or brass, a quadrant measures at 90 degree angles how high the sun or North Star is above the horizon in order to determine latitude.
#maritimehistory #AgeOfSail #history
November 12, 2025 at 4:55 PM
November 10, 2025 at 3:42 PM
A pelorus looks similar to a compass, but it doesn’t actually show directions. It is a simple, effective tool which is used to determine the bearing of a landmark or celestial body relative to the ship’s heading.
#maritimehistory #AgeOfSail #history
November 8, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Did Jeremiah Cocklyn die on Madagascar or was he hanged? His fate remains a mystery.
#piratehistory #pirates #history #c18th
November 6, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Leisler's Rebellion - the rebellion that Captain Kidd helped to put down.
waynesavage.com/leislers-reb...
#history #17thc
November 5, 2025 at 4:29 PM
The octant was developed in the early 18th century and was a precursor to the sextant. It measured angles up to 45 degrees, making it ideal for determining the altitude of celestial bodies.
#maritimehistory #AgeOfSail #history
November 4, 2025 at 2:45 PM
It was wasn’t until the reign of Henry VIII (1509–1547) that significant anti-piracy laws were enacted. Originally titled An Act for Pirates and Robbers on the Sea issued in 1535, it was renamed The Offences of Sea Act in 1536.
waynesavage.com/offences-at-...
#Tudor #maritimehistory #history
November 3, 2025 at 4:22 PM
October 31, 2025 at 4:25 PM
The nocturnal used a set of dials with pointers showing months, hours, and the location of stars, and is important when calculating tides. It is thought to have been first developed in the 12th century.
#maritimehistory #AgeOfSail #history
October 31, 2025 at 4:24 PM
October 30, 2025 at 12:08 PM
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, although apparently the author doesn't regard it as one of his best.
#historybookchat #navalhistory #piratehistory #history
October 29, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Cross staff - Also known as a Jacob’s staff, fore-staff, or ballastella, this device was the more basic predecessor of the backstaff used to determine latitude.
#maritimehistory #AgeOfSail #history
October 27, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Bartholomew Roberts - the pirate with too many flags.
#piratehistory #pirates #history #c18th
October 26, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Apparently this is where the expression came from.
#maritimehistory #navalhistory #history
October 24, 2025 at 12:40 PM
The chronometer was an accurate timepiece which was used to establish longitude and/or give an exact measurement of the passage of time. From 1735 onwards, John Harrison’s groundbreaking invention allowed sailors to calculate longitude accurately.
#maritimehistory #AgeOfSail #history #c18th
October 23, 2025 at 11:13 AM
An interesting look at the ideological battle that has raged over the political legacy and cultural symbolism of the Pirates of 'the Golden Age'.
#history #historybookchat #maritimehistory #AgeOfSail
October 22, 2025 at 3:40 PM
October 21, 2025 at 10:51 AM