Pirate Hunters.

Piracy in the Caribbean began in 1714 and grew rapidly, with as many as 2,000 pirates operating between 1714 and 1725. Famous pirates like Blackbeard and Calico Jack became the stuff of legend, but their actions posed a real threat to maritime trade. In 1718, Blackbeard's blockade of Charles Town led the British government to take action. They offered a pardon to pirates who stopped their attacks and pledged loyalty to the British crown, which proved effective in reducing piracy. The Royal Navy hunted down the remaining pirates, and public trials and executions were used to discourage others. By 1725, the pirate threat had dissipated, and maritime trade flourished again. [Extracted from the article]