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The flag was probably intended as communication of the pirates ' identity, which may have given target ships an opportunity to change their mind and surrender without a fight.
For example in June 1720 when Bartholomew Roberts sailed into the harbour at Trepassey, Newfoundland with black flags flying, the crews of all 22 vessels in the harbour abandoned them in panic.
If a ship then decided to resist, the Jolly Roger was taken down and a red flag was flown, indicating that the pirates intended to take the ship by force and without mercy.
Richard Hawkins reports that " When they fight under Jolly Roger, they give quarter, which they do not when they fight under the red or bloody flag.

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