Interesting facts about pirates?
Interesting facts about pirates?
I saw an article about keelhauling and realized I don't know much about pirates (those on the sea, not the internet) beyond what I've seen in movies. Tell me your most interesting pirate facts. Mythical or historical.
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Pirates were surprisingly democratic. When booty was distributed, each member would get a share rather than wages.
Some people got more shares than others, that's true. A cabin boy might only be worth half a share, the quartermaster might be worth a share and a half, etc. But most people got a whole share, and the captain was usually only pulling two shares at most. But shares were agreed at the outset, and everyone knew what they were getting into.
This makes a lot of sense when you're engaged in organized crime against the state. The captain gets final say in most matters, but the risk of mutiny or a crew member turning informant was a sure way to end a captain's career. By splitting the wealth more equitably, the crew becomes more loyal.
You may have heard stories about pirates attacking a ship and then recruiting people from the crew they just attacked. A lot of the time in the stories this is framed as "join us or die" but the truth was a bit different. If pirates were known to kill everyone they meet, people would fight to the death to defend their boss' merchandise. But if the pirates boarded you, you were likely given a chance to surrender in exchange for the loot. Then if they were looking for more crew, they'd start recruiting.
So imagine you're working for a real slave driver (I mean, perhaps literally even), and you get a pittance for your wages. You get raided by pirates, and it's your boss' money or your life. Most people would sooner hand over their boss' money. But then they ask if you'd like to work for someone who doesn't treat you like garbage AND you get a cut of the loot you just handed over. That's a compelling argument.
Yes, I also watched that CGP Grey video.
I don't know who that is, but thanks for the recommendation
How much evidence do we have for this? I want to believe it since it's my favorite fact so far, which means I should be extra cautious before believing it.
Apparently there are nine surviving Pirate Codes. Some are more equitable than others, and some are... more difficult to read. It definitely wasn't sunshine and roses at sea, and there was definitely barbarism that happened.
But I particularly like the articles of John Phillips, captain of the Revenge. Nine commandments governing the distribution of wealth, gun control, fire safety, and workers' comp
I. Every Man Shall obey civil Command; the Captain shall have one full Share and a half of all Prizes; the Master, Carpenter, Boatswain and Gunner shall have one Share and quarter.
II. If any Man shall offer to run away, or keep any Secret from the Company, he shall be marooned with one Bottle of Powder, one Bottle of Water, one small Arm, and Shot.
III. If any Man shall steal any Thing in the Company, or game, to the Value of a Piece of Eight, he shall be marooned or shot.
IV. If any time we shall meet another Marooner that Man shall sign his Articles without the Consent of our Company, shall suffer such Punishment as the Captain and Company shall think fit.
V. That Man that shall strike another whilst these Articles are in force, shall receive Moses’ Law (that is, 40 Stripes lacking one) on the bare Back.
VI. That Man that shall snap his Arms, or smoke Tobacco in the Hold, without a Cap to his Pipe, or carry a Candle lighted without a Lanthorn, shall suffer the same Punishment as in the former Article.
VII. That Man shall not keep his Arms clean, fit for an Engagement, or neglect his Business, shall be cut off from his Share, and suffer such other Punishment as the Captain and the Company shall think fit.
VIII. If any Man shall lose a Joint in time of an Engagement, shall have 400 Pieces of Eight ; if a Limb, 800.
IX. If at any time you meet with a prudent Woman, that Man that offers to meddle with her, without her Consent, shall suffer present Death.
So imagine you're working for a real slave driver
And at least in most of the nations' navies, your life as a grunt was pretty much like that. Dragged into service by press gangs and treated like shit.