Most ships robbed by a pirate

Bartholomew "Black Bart" Roberts (1682–1722; real name, John Roberts) was a Welsh pirate who plundered more than 400 ships between 1719 and 1722, giving him a more successful hit rate than any other pirate. His attacks were focused in the waters off the Americas and the coast of West Africa.

Roberts first went to the sea at the age of 13 and within a few years had become a seasoned mariner. While working aboard the slave ship the Princess of London, it was captured by the Welsh pirate Howell Davis (c. 1690–1719), and at that point Roberts entered into piracy.

Not long after Roberts became a pirate, Captain Davis was killed by an ambush organized by the governor of the Portuguese-controlled island of Principé. Roberts was elected to take his place as captain of the Royal Rover. His first act was to raid Principé to avenge the death of his predecessor.

On 5 February 1722, Roberts was spotted by the Royal Navy officer Captain Chaloner Ogle, who engaged him in battle. The skirmish lasted for several days until Roberts was killed by a stray bullet.