Stede Bonnet: Charleston's Gentleman Pirate ~ Christopher Byrd Downey

Hundreds of pirates traversed the waters of the Atlantic during America's colonial period, but few had a more adventurous tale than Stede Bonnet. Originally a wealthy plantation owner from Barbados, Bonnet abandoned his wife and children in 1717 to set sail on the pirate ship Revenge. He soon fell into company with Blackbeard in the Bahamas and headed for America. In May 1718, they arrived in Charleston and held the entire city hostage in a daring siege. Bonnet was eventually captured in North Carolina and transported back to Charleston, where he was brought to justice and executed on December 10, 1718. Join local pirate tour guide Captain Christopher Byrd Downey as he recounts the swashbuckling life of the most infamous pirate to ever darken the Holy City's waters.

Christopher Byrd Downey (Captain Byrd) received his degree in history from Virginia Tech. He has worked in the maritime industry for over fifteen years. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina. A United States Coast Guard licensed captain, Captain Byrd offers pirate boat tours of Charleston Harbor.