Pirates lived a life more free than toiling on a merchant ship or in the Royal Navy, but that life often ended violently. Blackbeard was only about 38 years old when Maynard and his men cut him down.

MANTEO — Blackbeard boarded Lt. Robert Maynard’s ship three centuries ago armed with pistols and a cutlass, ready to die before surrendering. Weapons from Blackbeard's ship show violence on ...

Back in September, Somali pirates boosted the MV Faina, a Ukrainian cargo ship laden with rocket-propelled grenades, anti-aircraft guns, and T-72 tanks. The pirates then scored a major ransom in ...

* Somali pirates seize ship carrying weapons * Also attack oil tanker north east of Seychelles * EU force says that attack furthest yet from Somalia * Gunmen expect Spain to free jailed colleagues ...

Everyone suddenly has their own idea as to how to deal with the pirate threat. Many are now suggesting high-tech, non-lethal weapons as a possible answer. Too bad very few of the devices are ...

Blackbeard boarded Lt. Robert Maynard’s ship three centuries ago armed with pistols and a cutlass, ready to die before surrendering. He fought viciously, but in less than 10 minutes on Nov. 2… ...