See: http://rud.is/b/2013/09/19/animated-irl-pirate-attacks-in-r/ for more info. Animated pirate attacks!

pirates.R

library(maps)
library(hexbin)
library(maptools)
library(ggplot2)
library(sp)
library(mapproj)

# piRate the data from the militaRy
download.file("http://msi.nga.mil/MSISiteContent/StaticFiles/Files/ASAM_shp.zip", destfile="ASAM_shp.zip")
unzip("ASAM_shp.zip")

# extRact the data fRame we need fRom the shape file
pirates.df <- as.data.frame(readShapePoints("ASAM 19 SEP 13")) # you may need to use a diffeRent name depending on d/l date

# get the woRld map data
world <- map_data("world")
world <- subset(world, region != "Antarctica") # inteRcouRse AntaRctica

# yeaRs we want to loop thoRugh
ends <- 1979:2013

# loop thRough, extRact data, build plot, save plot: BOOM
for (end in ends) {
  png(filename=sprintf("arrr-%d.png",end),width=500,height=250,bg="white") # change to 1000x500 or laRgeR
  dec.df <- pirates.df[pirates.df$DateOfOcc > "1970-01-01" & pirates.df$DateOfOcc < as.Date(sprintf("%s-12-31",end)),] 
  rng <- range(dec.df$DateOfOcc)
  p <- ggplot() 
  p <- p + geom_polygon(data=world, aes(x=long, y=lat, group=group), fill="gray40", colour="white")
  p <- p + stat_summary_hex(fun="length", data=dec.df, aes(x=coords.x1, y=coords.x2, z=coords.x2), alpha=0.8)
  p <- p + scale_fill_gradient(low="white", high="red", "Pirate Attacks recorded")
  p <- p + theme_bw() + labs(x="",y="", title=sprintf("Pirate Attacks From %s to %s",rng[1],rng[2]))
  p <- p + theme(panel.background = element_rect(fill='#A6BDDB', colour='white'))
  print(p)
  dev.off()
}

# requires imagemagick
system("convert -delay 45 -loop 0 arrr*g arrr500.gif")