R&R: Pirates.

So, I am assuming that most of my blog readers have seen the Pirates of the Carribean film. While watching the movie you've probably wondered about what some of the real carribean pirate stories there were, that were really true and that really happened and really did exist. Well, sping break's ago when I was down in Florida at Sebastian Beach I bought this book at the beach's gift shop, it is called Pirates and Buried Treasures on Florida Islands by Jack Beater (a native and long time resident of the southern florida coast.
In this book Jack explains the stories told to him about some of the most infamous and ruthless pirates ever to acutally exist in the Carribean and the Florida coast. So since I am just starting the book, in the first chapter Jack Beater presents to us (the reader) the story of arguably the most famous pirate in Floridian/Carribean pirate history, Gasparilla.
In this chapter Jack explains to us the life and treasures of Jose Gaspar or also known as Gasparilla. Born in Spain, Gasparilla was nice to his friends, ruthless to his enemies and always very precise and true to his word. (Sounds a little bit like Barbossa eh?) It is claimed that Jose Gaspar actually helped Florida become part of the Union. Jack states:

"It is highly possible that Jose' Gaspar had much to do with Florida becoming a thorn in the side of Spanish commerce with Cuba and Mexico, Spain might not have been willing to sell Florida to the U.S."

It is also said that Gasparilla had a very tiny sailboat in which he used to island hop and attempt to steal gigantic vessels, he also listened to tales of slave ships, pirates, gold and especially women. And many claim that he only had one ultimate goal to become the most powerful pirate in the Floridian keys and the Carribean Sea. (Also, sounds a lot like Jack Sparrow, huh?)
Also it is said that when Gaspar was 12 and still living in Spain he entered into the Spanish Navy and was sent on exploration trips to the Americas. By the age of 16 Gasparilla was namd admiral of his vessel and his sector of the Spanish Navy. Until later him and some members of his Naval crew rebelled and became pirates. (Also sounds a lt like Lord Norrington.) In the end Gasparilla was taken down finally by the American vessel the "Enterprise," when realizing that his life would end he voluntarily ended his life by tying himself to his ship's anchor and throwing himself overboard. But his legend status remains to this day as arguably the greates pirate in Floridian/Carribean history.
After reading this chapter it really is interesting how much the movie Pirates of the Carribean got a lot of their ideas from this book and also how much the characters in the movie are based off the infamous Jose' Gaspar.

(so Jen just in case you were wondering I am going to read this instead of Blink.)

Next up is Juan Gomez-the Pirate of Panther Key, I'll update you on Mr.Gomez's life as a pirate next week.

--KP