Black Joke and Morning Star on paint by G.C.Stanfield

The legend of the most unsuccessfull pirate ship in history

The story handing down throughout docklands and dives of south Europe, tells about the ship Black Joke that put forth upon the sea for the treasure towards the Spanish coast. The crew expected lond-lasting career in piracy, but unfortunatly the destiny played a cruel joke on them.
Right after their firts ravage the storm started on the way back to the shore and the ship was wrecked. The ship and its crew was lodged and left to the help from without. Before the the fishermen came, the crew tried to get rid of the treasure to leave no evidence of their pirat life. But even though they were recognized and sent to the famous Gibraltar prison. Right after the trial took place, the captain’s last speech spread out, saying it was not the capture but somekind of black joke. And this is a story of the famous pirate ship Black Joke. 

Some historical sources say that Benito de Soto, captain of the Black Joke, was one of the most feared and bloodthirsty of the last generation of pirates, murdering crews who fell into his hands and sinking their ships.
On 21 February 1832 Black Joke appeared in front of the British barque Morning Star on its way from Ceylon to England. Benito de Soto murdered captain with his cutlass for disobeying  him. Most of the crew were killed, women were brutally raped, before being locked in the hold with the rest of the survivors. Even though the ship were scuttled, prisoners managed to escape the hold and prevent it from sinking.
After Black joke wrecked in Spain, Benito and his crew were recognized by some of the Morning Star survivors. They were taken to Gibraltar for the trial, Benito de Soto was hanged and then beheaded.