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John Calico Jack Rackham (December 21, 1682 – November 18, 1720[1] in Jamaica) was an English pirate captain operating in the Bahamas during the early 18th century (Rackham is often spelled as Rackam or Rackum in contemporary documentation). His nickname was derived from the calico clothing he wore.[3]

Rackham was active towards the end of the era known as the golden age of piracy (from 1717–1720). He is most remembered for two things; the design of his Jolly Roger flag, a skull with crossed swords, which contributed to the popularization of the design, and for having two female crew members (Mary Read and his lover Anne Bonny) unusual at that time.

Piracy

Little is known of Rackham's upbringing or early life, except for the fact that he was British. The first record of him is as quartermaster on Charles Vane's sloop Treasure.[4] After robbing several ships outside of New York City, Vane and his crew encountered a large French man-o-war. The ship, which was at least twice as large as Vane's sloop, went after them in an attack. Vane, claiming caution as his reason, commanded a retreat from battle, because of the size of the French ship. Jack Rackham quickly spoke up and contested the decision, suggesting they fight the man-o-war, because it would have plenty of riches. Not only that, but if they captured it, it would give them a much larger ship to have at their disposal. Of the approximately ninety men on the ship, only fifteen supported Vane in his decision. Despite the overwhelming support for Rackham's cry to fight, Vane declared that the captain's decision is considered final. They fled the man-o-war. The crew continued to discuss Vane's behavior and Rackham's bravery with the French vessel, and on the following day they met on the deck and instigated a mutiny. The men decided to put Charles Vane's status as captain to a democratic vote. Vane was quickly and easily removed from the captaincy, and the crew appointed Jack Rackham to be the new captain because of his bravery.[5] “Calico” Jack Rackham's first act as captain was to give Charles Vane, and his fifteen loyal supporters, the other sloop in the fleet, along with a decent supply of ammunition and goods. His very first day as the captain of his ship was November 24, 1718. “Calico” Jack did not have to give Vane anything, but he felt that as though he owed the start of his pirating life to Vane, and that it was the proper send-off.

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John Rackham was one of the rank and file pirates based in

the Bahamas and, at the time of Woodes Rogers' arrival

there, was serving in the crew of Charles Vane, leader of the

die-hard pirate faction. He had a penchant for wearing

clothes made from bright Indian Calico cloth, which lead his

fellow pirates to dub him Calico Jack Rackham.

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