The Jose Gasparilla Pirate Ship, surrounded by as many as 1,000 private vessels, sails into Tampa to invade the city on Saturday.

While the legends of José Gaspar are full of alleged adventure and swashbuckling, history tells a different story.

“In 1783, having become a traitor and a pirate, José Gaspar gave the name of “Gasparilla” to himself as well as to his ship and the island in Charlotte Harbor, on the west coast of Florida ...

“In 1783, having become a traitor and a pirate, José Gaspar gave the name of “Gasparilla” to himself as well as to his ship and the island in Charlotte Harbor, on the west coast of Florida ...