Pirate+Life

Life as a Pirate Government The crew elected one captain to be their leader. He was one who was in complete control during battles. Also, sometimes he worked on the ship just like anyone else on the ship. If the captain didn't take loot, he was put out of office. The quartermaster was even more powerful of a person on the pirate voyage. The quartermaster would also be elected and could be deposed if he failed ot do his job well. The quartermaster got to decide how to divide the loot. Prisoners were given to the quartermaster until the crew decided what to do with them. Quartermasters punished pirates who were doing stuff that was wrong on the ship. Pirates sailed the seas with the number one rule being "no prey, no pay." Because pirates were more interested in money than prisoners, the crew set a lot of other crews free with their ships after taking their plunder. Pirates didn't murder a lot of people. Prisoners were sometimes held hostage for ransom or were set ashore.



Rules A lot of pirate crews had written rules that strictly obeyed. Women were not allowed to be on the ship. Women captured women were not to be molested. Shares of treasurewere agreed upon. Crew members were executed for theft of another one of the crew members possessions. A suspect was given a trial before punishment. Pirates sentenced to death often was dropped off at a deserted island where he would die of thirst. He was allowed a knife or a pistol with one bullet so he could taje his own life if he wanted to. Although many ships hoisted a black flag showing a white skull and crossbones, not one flag was ever adopted by all pirates. A majority of the pirates designed their own flag. Piracy, was not a romantic way of life but serious business. This business had to be destroyed in order to have growth of nations. Having elminated almost all of piracy was a milestone in the struggle for law and order.

Pirate Food Pirates normally didn't eat the greatest food back then. Veggies and meat were pickled or salted, and didn't taste good. Cooks used a ton of spices to hide the horrible taste. Flour and sugar would spoil even if water got by it during a storm. Poultry and cattle were kept in cages on deck so that there were eggs, cow, or milk to eat. Rarely, fish was caught. Most of the crew didnt drink water because there was none and just drank ale. Lots of pirates died from being sick from scurvy. The cooks took as much bread as he could. It was a real treat to have muffins and stuff like that.