from selected docks near downtown Tampa and St. Petersburg. Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours of high-seas fun.
To understand the ship, one must first understand the pirate. According to local folklore, José Gaspar (better known as Gasparilla) was a Spanish nobleman turned pirate who terrorized the Gulf of Mexico during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He called himself the "Last of the Buccaneers." While historians debate the veracity of his existence, the legend is very real to the people of Tampa.
Tampa Bay, located on the west coast of Florida, has a rich maritime history dating back to the 16th century. One of the most fascinating aspects of this history is the presence of pirate ships in the area. This paper will explore the history of pirate ships in Tampa Bay, with a focus on the most notable vessel to sail the waters.