Yes! Not just Bonney and Read, either. :)

I wrote this a while ago: http://www.badreputation.org.uk/2011/01/20/five-pirate-women-from-the-pages-of-history-number-one-lady-killigrew/

Need to actually do parts 2 to 5, shame on me!

They were rarer than men, but definitely a presence. All around the world, too – some are ancient world, though, and even with the more modern ones the accounts are, I think, either sketchier than for the boys or often even more sensationalised.

So it’s hard to get at the truth. However, for a toy designer I hold the legends to be a rich seam enough. Lady pirates! More of them on things I can buy! YES :)

My brain keeps trying to tell me that it’s for historical reasons, but I know damned well that there were actual real non-secret lady pirates, and they kicked all of the arses.

Hey, wow, that’s actually kind of brilliant! Like you, I am trying to picture the design process/discussion for this particular outcome and failing somewhat (is this like the next best option than an undisguised female pirate, for example?) but I’m mainly just, like, telling myself it’s because the lead designer at Little Tikes wishes to convey a subtle yet pointed message about GENDER AS PERFORMANCE :D

http://www.littletikes.com/kids-toys/play-scoot-pirate-ship

Oh no, I’ve made a mistake. There is clearly only a Captain and a first mate here.

Hey wait… take a closer look at that Captain…

http://zoomcc.richfx.com.edgesuite.net/zoomcc_littletikes/Image/Media/622113-figures_300.jpg

Ah, yes, there’s something fishy going on here. He’s got a fake peg leg! That’s his shoe you can see poking out from behind – he’s wearing a peg on his knee.

Hey wait…

He’s wearing a fake beard.

And he has long ginger hair and green eyes.

He is a SECRET LADY PIRATE. Or a secret beardless pirate, but I strongly suspect the former.

I have so many concerns, and so many questions, but they are all quelled by the idea that my son’s pirate captain is a secret lady. It is the best. She can trade lady pirate stories with his goblin First Mate, Lula (also provided by his aunt :V ).

I can’t believe we left that off.

We are now honour bound to raise this the next time we are moved to mount a TwitBomb.

HONOUR

BOUND

IT’S 2012 ALREADY. JEEZ.

Dammit. Rumbled.

I’m pleased to hear it. God knows we need it, eh. <3

I’m pretty sure that’s what Nick Clegg says whenever he’s asked about his party’s previous pledges and subsequent behaviour. ;)