In theUnited States, atimber pirate is apirate engaged in theillegal loggingindustry.
The term probably originated during theTimber Rebellion in 1853, when criminals mainly from the westernGreat Lakes region preyed onMichigan's government-owned supplies of lumber. When the government responded by confiscating loads of wood their owners and the so-called timber pirates revolted. The pirates assembled and burned a group of boats loaded with the stolen wood in the most serious incident of the conflict. Following that a series of naval operations by theUnited States Navy warshipUSSMichigan led to the capture of many rebels and successfully put an end to the revolt.
Timber pirates continued to thrive in the Great Lakes for several years afterward though and at the same timeriver pirates began operating on the upperMississippi River and its tributaries. The American navy also launched another separate operation against timber pirates on theCalcasieu River ofLouisiana.[1] In the early 20th century, those who engaged inNew Mexico's illegal logging industry were called timber pirates.[2]
