[PW] Inexperienced people in occupations who then excel at them

[Bristol Library]

Haven't seen my reply as yet, so I'll risk resending:  Bartholomew Roberts
was a sailor on a merchant ship taken by pirates.  He was pressed into
joining the pirate crew and proved so adept that he became captain of the
vessel in just a few weeks, after the first captain was killed.  Most rank
him among the most successful pirates ever.