In the early 1700s, Newport, Rhode Island was a favorite stop for pirates. Its busy harbor made it easy for pirate ships to blend in, resupply, and quietly sell stolen goods. Local merchants often bought pirate cargo cheaply, and officials sometimes looked the other way. Even Captain William Kidd had strong ties to Newport through business and marriage. Pirates drank in local taverns, hired sailors, and walked the same docks as everyone else. That was until Britain cracked do