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Charles Vane
"Pretty Charly"
Charles Vane's pirating career had several somewhat bizarre twists but he was successful and well-known at the time, and in particular i n 1718. There are not many references to Vane's origins, but his pirating career is said to have begun when he joined other pirates in 1716. During this time, the pirates were raiding Spanish salvage crews and ships that were recovering silver from galleons that sunk in 1715 off the Florida coast.
By 1718 Vane was successful in plundering many vessels. In September 1718, Vane met up with the fellow pirate Blackbeard and the pirate ships saluted one another and the two pirate crews proceeded to spend a week together in a typical pirate party.
After departing company, Vane continued his plundering successes. In November, Vane encountered a vessel and expected little resistance when they rose their pirate flag. But instead, the vessel retaliated with a broadside and it was discovered to be a French man-of-war. At this, Vane decided to flee the scene and not pursue the fight any longer. Most of the crew felt differently. The next day the crew confronted Vane and stated he was a coward. The crew elected the quarter master, Calico Jack, as the new captain of the brigantine and Vane and his fellow supporters were set off on a small sloop.
In the following months, Vane and his new crew started from scratch again quite successfully by plundering several vessels. In February, Vane's sloop was wrecked on an uninhabited island during a fierce storm where most of the crew drowned. Vane managed to survive but  found himself marooned. Local fishermen who came on canoes helped him survive a day at a time. Finally, a ship arrived but unfortunately for Vane it was commanded by an old acquaintance and former buccaneer Captain Holford who would not rescue Vane from the island and sailed away leaving Vane alone again.
Luckily another ship soon arrived and he was allowed on board..... unluckily, as a prisoner rather than a free man. He was turned over to the authorities in Jamaica where he was soon tried for piracy and hanged.
Heave to, ye swabs, and get yerselves back to the Main Deck!
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