William McCoy, often referred to as "Red" McCoy, was an American pirate active during the early 18th century. He is best known for his unique approach to piracy, which involved raiding ships without resorting to violence. Instead, he would often intimidate crews into surrendering, allowing him to capture valuable cargo with minimal bloodshed. McCoy operated primarily in the Caribbean Sea and was notorious for his cunning tactics. His reputation for being a "gentleman pirate" set him apart from his contemporaries, such as Blackbeard and Bartholomew Roberts. Despite his relatively non-violent methods, he was still considered a significant threat to maritime trade during his time.