Pirate Ships: A Glimpse At The Adventurous Life On High Seas
Pirate ships are vessels used more popularly during the 17th to the 18th-century era known as the ‘Golden Age of Piracy.’ They were not a distinct class of ships; rather, they comprised a variety of models ranging from small boats to large frigates. Pirates looked for ships with particular characteristics, such as speed, maneuverability, and potential cargo capacity.
Pirate Ship Varieties
The chosen targets were often merchant vessels, sloops, and schooners due to their advantages in speed and maneuverability. The pirates would customize these stolen ships according to their needs. Among the various types of pirate ships, the quickest were the schooners, ideally suited to the pirates’ hit-and-run tactics. The sloops were smaller but very agile, making them perfect for navigation in shallow waters. Then there were the larger frigates and galleys, true warships with a significant quantity of artillery.
Features of Pirate Ships
The pirate ships were not built; they were seized! Pirates often selected their ships based on three criteria: speed, range, and size. Speed was essential for overtaking other vessels or escaping from naval forces. Next, range was important as pirates often needed to travel long distances to catch their prey, especially in open oceans. Lastly, a ship’s size determined how much loot it could carry. An overlooked feature, however, was the holding capacity of these ships. Pirates rarely sought ships for their aesthetic looks; they valued the practicality above all.
For example, imagine a pirate captain coming upon a 40 foot container for sale. This captain would value it not for the container’s selling price, but for the storage capacity it could offer on his ship. It could serve to stash additional supplies for long voyages, or to hide extra loot taken from unfortunate vessels.
The Life and Operations Aboard
Life on a pirate ship was often grueling, with tough labor, low hygiene conditions, and high risks. Despite popular depictions, pirate crews generally operated under democratic principles. Pirate captains were elected by crew members and could be deposed at any time. Pirates also followed a code of conduct or ‘articles,’ which were a set of rules outlining operational procedures, division of loot, compensation for injuries, and other logistical matters.
Battles at sea were risky and avoided whenever possible. Pirates preferred to intimidate their targets into surrendering without a fight, using signals, fear tactics, and their fearsome reputation. They had various mechanisms to attack, including direct artillery fire, boarding, or deception. They even sometimes painted their sails black or used false flags to confuse their enemies.
Decline of Pirate Ships
The Golden Age of Piracy ended in the late 18th century due to increased naval patrolling and the offer of royal pardons to pirates willing to surrender. Pirate ships fell into anonymity, with many sunk, destroyed, or reclaimed for legal use. Today, they continue to exist only in popular culture, history books, and underwater archaeological sites. However, the legacy and intriguing history of pirate ships continue to captivate the imagination of people worldwide.
From their choice of ships to their democratic operations, pirates were masters of adaptability and survival in a harsh and unforgiving environment. Their ships, often portrayed as malevolent symbols of rebellion and lawlessness, can also be viewed as innovative solutions to the challenges of life at sea during a tumultuous era in maritime history.