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The Legend of the Pirates of the Canal
The Spark That Started It All
In 2016, a Lemont townsman by the name of Robert J. “Rotten Rob” Themel took a stroll as he did regularly through what locals call the Smokey Row Pub District. His path led him down Canal Street, past the warm glow of the Canal Street Pub.
Through the window, he caught an unexpected sight — a pirate sitting at the bar.
Curiosity took the helm. Rob stepped inside and began asking questions:
“Why is there a pirate in Lemont? Who are you, and why the attire?”
That chance meeting turned into hours of laughter and conversation, the beginning of a friendship that would soon change the course of Lemont’s history.
A Plan to Invade Lemont — For Good
From that fateful encounter, the two men hatched a plan — not to plunder, but to bring purpose, laughter, and charity to the community. Together with Captain Greg the Pirate, Rob envisioned an invasion of Lemont that would fill the streets not with fear, but with fun, friendship, and goodwill.
Their mission:
to revive the Smokey Row Pub District, raise funds for local charities, and bring new life to a forgotten part of town.
What began as a small crew of 25 to 30 pirates quickly grew to a fleet of over 70, as word spread across the village. That first year, villagers and visitors alike watched in awe as pirates flooded the streets of Lemont — and thus, a local legend was born.
The Birth of a Tradition
The first invasion gave rise to what became the Annual Pirates of the Canal Pub Crawl for Charity.
Each October, the pirates returned to Canal Street, raising mugs and money for worthy causes. Under Captain “Rotten” Rob Themel and Captain Greg the Pirate, the crew sailed three sheets to the wind at the helm of the Intoxicator — Lemont’s most legendary ship.
Year after year, the event grew in spirit and size. Captain Rob’s passion for giving was unmatched — one year, he famously shaved his beard in the middle of Canal Street to raise funds for an animal rescue, a gesture that captured the true heart of the cause.
The Pirates of the Canal became known as a symbol of unity, generosity, and good cheer, breathing life back into Lemont’s historic pub district.
The Loss of a Captain
Tragedy struck in early 2019 when Captain Rob Themel passed away. The loss was deeply felt across Lemont and the surrounding communities.
The lights of the Smokey Row Pub District dimmed once again, and for a moment it seemed the days of pirates marching through Lemont were over.
But as every good captain knows — no true ship sinks while there’s still a crew aboard.
The Legacy Lives On
In the wake of his passing, five captains united to carry on Captain Rob’s vision. They formed the modern-day Pirates of the Canal, a crew dedicated to continuing his mission of charity, camaraderie, and community spirit.
Today, the Pirates of the Canal continue to support local charities, rescue groups, and community events throughout Lemont and beyond — all while keeping the spirit of adventure and giving alive.
Each October, when the lanterns glow once again along Canal Street, the crew of the Intoxicator sets sail in honor of their fallen admiral, sailing three sheets to the wind through the heart of Lemont.
In Memory of Admiral “Rotten Rob” Themel
RIP Admiral “Rotten Rob” Themel
Your memory lives on through the Pirates of the Canal captains you brought together to carry on your work. Your legacy continues to inspire every toast, every laugh, and every act of giving along Lemont’s storied Canal Street.
Pirate History
Though pirates have existed since ancient times, the Golden Age of piracy was in the 17th and early 18th centuries. During this time more than 5000 pirates were said to be at sea. Throughout history there have been people willing to rob others transporting goods on the water. These people, known as pirates, mainly targeted ships, though some also launched attacks on coastal towns. They threatened the trading routes of ancient Greece, and seized cargoes of grain and olive oil from Roman ships. The most far-reaching pirates in early medieval Europe were the Vikings.
Many of the most famous pirates had a terrifying reputation, and they advertised this by flying gruesome flags, including the 'Jolly Roger' with its picture of skull and crossbones. Captives were famously made to ‘walk the plank’ – though this doesn’t appear to have been as common in reality as in fiction; in fact, it's likely that most victims of piracy were just thrown overboard.
Thousands of pirates were active between 1650 and 1720, and these years are sometimes known as the 'Golden Age’ of piracy. Famous pirates from this period include Henry Morgan, William 'Captain' Kidd, 'Calico' Jack Rackham, Bartholomew Roberts and the fearsome Blackbeard (Edward Teach). Though this Golden Age came to an end in the 18th century, piracy still exists today in some parts of the world, one place being the Canals Of Lemont.