400 Prize Ships. The Pirate Code. “A Merry Life and a Short One.” The Great Pirate- Black Bart Roberts Bartholomew Roberts — better known as Black Bart — didn’t set out to be a pirate. Born around 1682 in Wales, John Roberts was a working sailor with no taste for outlaw life… until his ship was captured by pirate captain Howell Davis. When Davis was killed in battle, the crew voted Roberts captain. What followed was unmatched in pirate history. In just three years, Black Bart captured over 400 p