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Written by Elizabette Guecamburu / Hometown Girl
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Wednesday, 08 October 2008 |
Pirates still capture imagination — and plenty of stolen booty
 Elizabette Guecamburu
As long as ships have sailed the Seven Seas, there have been pirates waiting to divest said ships of cargo and valuables. The first documented pirates were known as the Sea Peoples, who looted and raided the eastern shores of the Mediterranean in the 13th century B.C. That’s a long time ago. The reason we know the time frame is that the ancient Egyptians were clever enough to leave record of the dastardly Sea Peoples in their hieroglyphics. I’m sure these ancient pirates must have been an imposing sight — talking parrots and wooden legs aside.
While common knowledge holds that pirates merely sought booty of the shining, twinkling variety, they were also known to capture and enslave passengers from their targeted ships. In fact, two historical figures who you’d think wouldn’t have a thing in common — Julius Caesar and St. Patrick — were both kidnapped by pirates during their respective lifetimes.
It wasn’t long before the usefulness of pirates was appreciated by the ruling powers of Europe. By the 17th century, European monarchs were actively paying pirates (who were known as privateers in such cases) to go into open waters to harass, pillage, steal and destroy ships and cargo of enemy nations.
While eventually the practice of privateering was abolished, the institution was quite effective even if it did blur the lines between legal and illegal piracy. But, as we know, governments often distort distinctions if it is for monetary gain — just ask the poor folks still looking for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
But, while we may think that pirates are a thing of the past — or at least relegated to the realm of good swashbuckling fiction — in reality, pirates are still very much a contemporary concern, especially in certain parts of the world. In recent years, the waters off Somalia, in eastern Africa, have been a veritable hot bed of piracy.
These pirates commandeer cargo ships and hold crews hostage. They’re so successful in their pursuits, it is estimated that this year alone Somali pirates have raked in $30 million in ransoms. The Somali government has been powerless to control the situation and has begun to reach out to other nations to help rein in the pirates.
As I write this column, U.S. and Russian warships are at a standoff with Somali pirates who are requesting $20 million to release their captives.
I am led to wonder what will happen to the pirates if they are apprehended. Will they have to walk the plank?
Elizabette Guecamburu is a writer and native Patterson resident. She accepts
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