DK EYE WONDER PIRATE

Eye Wonder

LONDON, NEW YORK, MUNICH, Contents
MELBOURNE, and DELHI
4-5
Written and edited by Deborah Lock What is a pirate?
Designed by Leah Germann
and Tory Gordon-Harris 6-7
Where were they?
Publishing manager Susan Leonard
Managing art editor Clare Shedden 8-9
Early piracy
Jacket designer John Dinsdale
Jacket editor Mariza O’Keefe 10-11
Jacket copywriter Adam Powley Raiders of the North
Picture researcher Sarah Pownall
12-13
Illustrator Peter Bull Barbary corsairs
Production Luca Bazzoli
DTP Designer Almudena Díaz 14-15
Consultant Kenneth Kinkor The Maltese revenge

First published in Great Britain in 2005 by 16-17
Dorling Kindersley Limited The New World

80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL 18-19
A Penguin Company Privateers

2 4 6 8 10 9 7 5 3 1 20-21
Copyright © 2005 Dorling Kindersley Limited, London Buccaneers

A CIP catalogue record for this book 22-23
is available from the British Library. The Jolly Roger
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in 24-25
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, The Pirate Round
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior
written permission of the copyright owner. 26-27
Attack!
ISBN 1-4053-0982-2
Colour reproduction by Colourscan, Singapore

Printed and bound in Italy by L.E.G.O.

Discover more at

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28-29
Hand-to-hand

30-31
A pirate’s life for me

32-33
Marooned

34-35
Pirates of the Indian Ocean

36-37
Unlucky pirate

38-39
Punishment

40-41
The king of pirates

42-43
Pirates of the Eastern Seas

44-45
Pirates of today

46-47
Glossary

48
Index and
acknowledgements

What is a pirate?

Shiver me timbers! Pirates are the
sea-raiders, attacking other ships and
terrorizing coastal towns for booty.
But were they really bold adventurers,
swashbuckling heroes, or brutal thieves?

The evil pirate Written accounts
Captain Hook – the
enemy of Peter Pan There does exist some reliable
written evidence of real pirates
Fictional pirates and what they did. These include
pirates’ confessions in trial
There are many stories about pirates and their records, logbooks, and even
adventures created in the minds of writers and a diary written by a surgeon
film-makers. Even the popular image of what who sailed on a pirate ship.
a pirate looks like is mostly made-up.

Gold coin from
the Whydah

TEYE may Recovered objects
be the name
of the pirate Artefacts, such as bottles,
who wore the ring. tankards, and brass buckles,
found in places where pirates
The promise of riches came ashore, have provided
clues about what they wore
Piracy was attractive to many for and what they did on land.
different reasons: a life offering
freedom, lawlessness, and
equality. But all pirates were
lured by the idea that they
could become rich quickly.

Pirates
dressed in
the fashion
of the time.

4

trExpedition Whydah

In 1984, the shipwreck of The Whydah Galley was
discovered by underwater explorers. On board,
they found treasure, weapons, and personal
belongings. It was a pirate ship belonging to
Captain Sam Bellamy that sank in 1717.

etahsaBunerlel5afm0roysmhliopmost.oerde

Shipwreck clues

The findings on the
wrecks of pirate ships

are slightly different
than those found on
trading or navy ships.

These clues help
historians to piece
together the truth

about pirates.

5

Where were they?

Throughout history, pirates have been NORTH
sailing in the seas and oceans AMERICA
around the world. Some
groups of pirates have
been called by
different names.

Atlantic
Ocean

Caribbean
Sea

Buccaneers SOUTH
AMERICA
In the 17th century,
pirates who raided and Edward Teach
stole from treasure ships (Blackbeard) was
and settlements around
the Caribbean Seas were one of the most
called buccaneers. feared pirates of
the Caribbean
Pirate words in the early
18th century.

Freebooter This was another

name for a pirate.

Flibustier A French term Privateers

for freebooter or plunderer. Some shipowners were given
permission by their countries to
Picaroon A word meaning attack shipping from other countries
in time of war. Often they turned to
a small-time pirate or slave
smuggler, particularly during piracy once the war was over.
the 18th century.

6

Vikings were the feared Early pirates terrorized Since the Middle
sea-raiders of the North the trading ships of the Ages, pirates have
for over 300 years. ancient civilizations. been preying on
ships in the seas
Arctic of China and
Ocean Southeast Asia.

North
Sea

EUROPE ASIA

Mediterranean Sea Pacific
Ocean
AFRICA
Arabian South
Sea China

Sea

Indian
Ocean

AUSTRALIA

Henry Every (1665-
c.1728) was a successful
pirate active in the
Indian Ocean.

Southern Ocean

Corsairs ANTARCTICA

Pirates in the Mediterranean Sea between the

15th and 18th centuries were known as “corsairs”.

There were the Muslim (Barbary) corsairs and

the Christian corsairs based on Malta.

Early piracy

EUROPE For more than 2,500 years, pirates have lurked
along trading routes ready to attack loaded
Mediterranean merchant ships. The early pirates
Sea terrorized those sailing around
Aegean Sea the Mediterranean Sea.

Pirate myths

Stories about pirates, such
as those trying to capture a
god hoping to ransom him,
were based on people’s real

fear of being kidnapped
by them.

hant ships were easy targets as they sailed close to the coas
tline.
Loaded merc

Ready to pounce

The many tiny islands and inlets in the Aegean Sea
were superb hiding places for pirates. From here, they
could wait and watch for passing merchant ships.

8

Luring targets These Phoenician
coins called shekels
The Phoenician merchant ships were made of silver
carried precious cargo, such as
silver, tin, copper, and amber from from Spain.
cities around the Mediterranean
Sea. War galleys tried to protect The sharp ram at the
front of the pirate
them from the pirates.
galley crashes into the
merchant ship.

Trading ships had broad, rounded Swift attack
hulls for storing the cargo. They were
slow and powered only by sail. Pirates used light, sleek,
shallow-bottomed galleys
An ancient Greek that were powered by oars.
drinking bowl showing These were fast and easy
a pirate galley attacking to manoeuvre, and they
a Greek trading ship.
could also sail close
to the shore.

Growing menace Pirate hunter

Pirates of the Roman In 67 BC, a large fleet of
world sold their stolen Roman warships led by Pompey
cargoes of wheat, wine, the Great rounded up the pirates.
and olive oil, and the
The Roman army also attacked
kidnapped slaves at the pirates’ base in Cilicia, Turkey.
local markets for
a good price.

9

Raiders of the North

Scandinavia Since ancient times, pirates have also been
active in the North Sea. The most ferocious
North Sea raiders were the Vikings from Scandinavia –
Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark.
EUROPE
Broad sword
In battle, a Viking
trick was to catch Homeland and weapons Arrowhead
a spear in mid-
flight, and hurl Life was tough for the people living Helmet
it back at their in the cold regions of Scandinavia.
opponents.
They lived by fishing, farming, and

trading, but they wanted adventure,

wealth, and glory in battle.

The large
rectangular
sail picked up
the winds in
open seas.

Oars were used
to row around
coasts and
up rivers.

Round Sea-raiders
wooden
shield The phrase “to go
a-viking” means “going
10 on an overseas raid”.
These fearsome warriors
sailed across the North
Sea, attacking ships and
raiding abbeys and towns in
Europe and North America.

The strong keel held the The steering oar was fixed
boat together in stormy seas. to the back of the boat.

Vikings made Longship
jewellery from
stolen gold. Vikings were great
shipbuilders. They built
Plunder very long, narrow ships
to carry their warriors
The Vikings were after the valuable for the raids.
items from abbeys, and jewellery,
money, and fine cloth from large The sight of
towns. They either sold these at approaching
a good price in other countries longships would
or took them home. cause panic and
fear amongst
A carving of the villagers
an animal head, or monks.
such as a snake
or dragon

Viking facts

•Some Viking warriors were

called berserkers, as they
attacked so fiercely.

•Viking women were taught

to use weapons in case they
were attacked.

•Vikings used horns

as drinking cups.

11

EUROPE Barbary corsairs

Mediterranean Sea The holy wars
NORTH AFRICA were known as
the Crusades.

From the late Decorative
11th century, Christians Muslim tile
and Muslims fought for
control over the Mediterranean Captives’ fate
Sea and the countries around it.
The Muslim sea-raiders became Captured wealthy
known as the Barbary corsairs. Christian knights
would be held for
Muslim galleys ransom. The poorer
captives were forced
The fast, sleek Barbary ships to row the Barbary
were powered by huge numbers galleys day and night
of slaves. They could only spend
a short time at sea as food and and then sold
water supplies ran out quickly. as slaves.
The ship’s captain, or “rais”,
navigated the ship.

Each oar was pulled A Barbary galley Dragut Rais was a feared
by up to six slaves. had one large captain of the Muslim navy.
triangular sail
and a slim hull.

12

The towbnasseaslfoonrgththeeBcaorabsatryofcNorosartihrs.Africa became

Europeans called Sea battles
them the “Barbarossa
Brothers” because of After a Barbary galley rammed
their red beards. the side of a Christian ship, about
100 Janissaries – the well-trained
Feared brothers Muslim soldiers – stormed aboard
and overpowered the crew.
Kheir-ed-Din and
Aruj were great Many Christian ships were easily
Muslim naval heroes overcome by the successful attacks
in the 1500s. They made of the Barbary corsairs.
their fortunes capturing
the Pope’s galleys,
Spanish warships,
and trading ships.

13

The Maltese revenge

In 1530, Malta – an island in the Maltese Cross
Mediterranean Sea – became
the base for the Christian The eight-pointed cross
knights defending the sea worn by the knights
routes from Barbary control. represented the eight
codes they followed, such
Headstrong knights From the raised forecastle, as live in truth, have faith,
the corsairs jumped
The armour of these Maltese down onto love justice, and be sincere.
corsairs was made from heavy the Barbary
metal. They fought with rapiers galleys. The triangular
in one hand and a dagger for sails made the
defence in the other. galley easier to
manoeuvre.
Helmets were
shaped to
deflect
blows.

Christian corsairs preferred gunfights, Christian galleys
while Barbary corsairs liked sword fights.
The Maltese corsairs had similar fast, sleek galleys to
14 the Muslims, but the boats were powered by two large
triangular sails and fewer oars rowed by captured

Muslims. The galleys also had more guns.

Round Italian targe (target)
shield with simple engraving

Fortresses

When the knights
arrived on Malta, they
built fortresses, watch-
towers, hospitals, and
churches. After the
Muslims’ attack in 1565,
Maltese cities and defences
had to be completely rebuilt.

“Turned Turk”

Some European
pirates, such as Sir
Francis Verney,
joined the Barbary
corsairs on their
raids to Ireland
and Iceland.

Strong Maltese
forts protected
the harbours.

DECISIVE VICTORY

The last great galley battle was in 1571 at
Lepanto near Greece. The Maltese knights
joined a large Christian fleet powered by
50,000 oarsmen and carrying 30,000 soldiers
against the powerful Muslim navy. After a
four-hour battle, the Muslim navy was defeated
with only 40 of their 300 galleys still afloat.

15

Spain The New World

Mexico Atlantic From 1492, Spanish ships brought back
Ocean gold and silver treasures stolen from the

Peru local people of the “New World” –
the Americas. Other countries
and pirates began to notice
and were eager to share
in the prize.

Caribbean Sea Columbus led The western trade route
four voyages to the
Caribbean searching Christopher Columbus sailed
for gold and claiming across the Atlantic Ocean
the land for Spain. looking for a route to Asia.
He landed in the Bahamas
Peru By the 1500s, the Aztec and was given amazing gifts
people controlled much by the local people.

of Mexico and the The Spanish Main
Incas from Peru
were powerful in Further adventurers from
South America. Spain sailed west and
claimed even more of the
Spanish convoys The Incas American mainland from
used gold for Mexico to Peru as part of
•Spanish galleons were decoration and the Spanish empire.
honouring
loaded with treasure in Mexico their gods, and
or Panama and then joined at not as money.
Havana in Cuba for their
return trip to Europe.

• Twice a year, up to 100

treasure ships travelled in
convoy across the Atlantic.

16

Spanish treasure Treasure ships Spanish galleons
ships were attacked had a crew of 200
by pirates during In 1523, the pirate Jean Florin was the men and up to 60
the early stages first to attack the fully loaded Spanish cannons, but were
of their voyages. caravels returning from the Spanish slower than the
pirate ships.
Main. After this, the Spanish
organized convoys
of larger, well-
armed galleons.

Spain

The King and Queen
of Spain supported
Columbus’s trips.

Before 1492, maps did
not include the Americas.
There was only sea between
Africa and Asia.

Columbus’s ships were
called the Niña, the Pinta
and the Santa María.

Cortes – friend or foe? Destructive greed

The Spanish conquistador The greedy conquistadors wanted the gold
(conqueror) Hernan Cortes and silver treasures of the Aztecs and the
was treated like a god by Incas. Their ruthlessness completely
the Aztecs in Mexico. But destroyed these ancient American
his Spanish army destroyed civilizations.
their great city.
The Inca king
Atahualpa was
ransomed for
a room full of
gold treasures.

Aztec treasures were
crushed or melted to save
space on the Spanish ships.

17

Privateers

Not all pirates were outlaws. There
was one group, called privateers, who
were allowed to attack enemy ships.
They killed the sailors and stole the
treasure to give to their king or queen.

Gold Saffron Cinnamon Turmeric

sticks

The Queen’s favourite Friend or foe

There were three famous privateers during Using a telescope, a privateer
the reign of Queen Elizabeth I: Thomas Cavendish, captain could see the flag of the
John Hawkins, and Sir Francis Drake. The Queen called target ship. He would raise the
Drake “her pirate”, because he made her very rich. flag of a friendly nation, so that
he could sail close. He would
Speaking trumpet Telescope speak through the trumpet to
make demands for surrender.

PEG-LEGS LPoirdcfpiuvcperoarienviutnreamcngetteerirwsseystraw,iosoraetnanrikmtedttioagelkc.ilavekBtpeetuntadtctrhsskohoeyeimaptnlrseeelfemagrtosrtyuemeersreshda.yinpsy

If a pirate was injured in the leg, then it
would be cut off by the ship’s carpenter.
Often the pirate would die, but if he
survived then a piece of wood could be

used to replace his missing
leg. The French privateer
François le Clerc was
nicknamed Jambe-de-
Bois (Peg-leg) because
of his wooden leg.
Some pirates in
stories and films
have only one leg.

18

It took four days to The Golden Hinde
load all of the treasure
from one Spanish In 1580, Drake returned to
galleon onto this ship. England on board his small
ship the Golden Hinde.
El Draque He had successfully sailed
around the world,
Due to his devastating attacking ships along the
raids on the ports of the way. His ship was packed
Spanish Main, Drake
was greatly feared full of exotic spices and
by the Spanish. stolen treasure.
They referred to
him as “El Draque”, Privateer ships were
the Dragon. smaller, faster, and easier
to manoeuvre than the
Drake’s ship Spanish ships.
the Pelican was
renamed the These ships
Golden Hinde. were very
crowded with
extra crewmen
to sail any
captured ships.

19

Buccaneers

NORTH During the 1600s, many outlaws,
AMERICA escaped slaves, and adventurers
went to live in the Caribbean.
Caribbean They formed a group of
Islands lawless buccaneers, who
attacked trading ships
SOUTH and raided ports.
AMERICA

Origin of their name

The early buccaneers
lived peacefully as pig-
hunters on the island
of Hispaniola. The
natives showed them
how to build racks,
called boucans,
for smoking and
preserving the meat.

The dried meat and hides
were traded to passing ships.

The gold coins were
called doubloons.

Pieces of eight

The Spanish turned
their silver and gold from
the New World into coins,
which the buccaneers stole and used as
their currency. The silver pieces of eight
could be cut into pieces for small change.
20

Sir Henry Morgan

Between 1663 and 1671, this Welsh
captain led large armies of buccaneers
on daring, well-planned attacks against
Spanish colonies, such as Panama. He
was given an English knighthood and

made governor of Jamaica.

Brethren of the coast Bloodthirsty

In 1630, the Spanish Some buccaneer captains became infamous
attacked the settlers on for violently torturing and murdering their
Hispaniola. Many of them prisoners. The Frenchman François
escaped and became pirates, L’Ollonais, who led the cruellest gang,
raiding Spanish treasure once cut out the heart of a Spanish
ships. The pirates governed prisoner and tore it with his teeth.
themselves and booty from
the raids was shared out fairly. Port Royal

The noisy streets of this harbour town on
British-controlled Jamaica were filled with
swaggering, drunken buccaneers spending their
booty. After Morgan’s death, it became the place
where pirates were tried and hanged. An

earthquake destroyed the town in 1692.

The Jolly Roger

Ships have always flown flags. Some show which
country the ship belongs to, others might show
where the ship is headed. But the skull
and crossbones of the Jolly Roger
meant only one thing – pirates!

A sign from the grave Around 1700, the
skull-and-crossbones
About 400 years ago, the skull- symbol first appeared
and-crossbones symbol was used on a pirate’s flag.
by ordinary people as a sign of
death. The pirates took this and
other symbols from gravestones, and
turned them into threatening flags
that would scare other ships’ crews.

Surrender or else Changing faces

The black and white Jolly Roger flag Every pirate captain had his own flag design,
was raised as a warning to surrender and not all of them used the same symbols.
without a fight. If the captain of the This skull sits on top of crossed swords
target ship refused to stop then the instead of bones. It belonged to the
pirates would raise a red flag to Caribbean pirate Jack Rackham.
signal an attack. This would
mean a fight to the death.

22

Red for danger

Not all pirates’ flags were black – the
most fearsome had red flags, which
meant that the pirates would show
no mercy. This is thought to be how
the flag got the name “Jolly
Roger”, from the French
words jolie rouge,
meaning “pretty red”.

gness tmobokldislal.gofgeprsower Death was
weSrweosrhdosawannnddaas swyillin also called
Old Roger –
Old Roger was another reason
also a nickname why the flag
for the Devil. was called a
Jolly Roger.

A toast to death

Bartholomew Roberts was a very successful
pirate, who sank over 400 ships off the
African and Caribbean coasts. His flag
showed himself drinking with Death.

Needle and thread STILL FLYING HIGH

The pirate ship’s flag was Beware – the Jolly Roger is still in use
roughly made. It was either today! It is flown on Royal Navy
painted, or sewn by the ship’s submarines returning to port – a
tradition started 90 years ago during
sailmaker or any member World War I. The flags were made by
of the crew who the crew of the submarine celebrating
could use a needle. a successful
return home.
It showed
events that
happened during
their time at sea, such
as how many enemy
ships were sunk.

23

The Pirate Round

During the 17th century, European NORTH The route of the
countries began to send large AMERICA Pirate Round
merchant ships to trade with
India and China. Many Caribbean Atlantic
pirates followed them Sea Ocean
to the Indian Ocean
to seek their
fortunes.

The Round

Lured by the riches
that could be taken
from the Indian treasure fleets and European
trade ships, pirates from North America sailed
thousands of kilometres (miles) to the Indian
Ocean and back again with their booty.

SOUTH
AMERICA

The wild,
tropical island of
Madagascar was
a safe place for
outlaws to rest.

Pirates’ lair Repairing

The pirates found an Pirates needed
ideal base on the island safe beaches to
of Madagascar. There remove the seaweed
were few people, no laws, and barnacles
fresh food and water from the bottom of their
supplies, and the trading ships, and repair any holes.
ships passed close by. This was called careening.

24

Celebrity pirate

The American pirate Thomas Tew began
the Pirate Round. On his return, everyone

wanted to hear about his adventures.

Arctic
Ocean

North Tew was slain by
Sea an Asian scimitar
(sword), similar to
EUROPE ASIA Since early times, the one shown on
native pirates his flag, during a
attacked Arab raid on an Indian
and Indian ships. treasure ship.

Mediterranean Sea India China Pacific
Ocean
AFRICA South
Arabian China
Sea
Sea

Indian
Ocean

Madagascar

The square-rigged
East Indiamen ships
were well-built for
long voyages.

AUSTRALIA

Southern Ocean

The East Indiamen

In the large holds of these European
merchant ships, gold and silver
were carried to Asia. On the
return journey, they
were laden with fine
china from China,
or silks, spices, ivory,
and tea from India.

Attack!

If a ship’s captain refused
to surrender to the pursuing
pirates, then attack was likely.

Cannon fire from the
pirates’ ship signalled
the start of the fight.

Boom!

Upon hitting the wooden sides,
a flying cannonball would send
a deadly spray of wooden splinters
onto the decks. Cannon fire was
used to slow down the enemy ship.

This 18th-century Two cannonballs
cannon is balanced chained together
on a circular pivot. could bring down
Its aim can be raised masts and sails.
or lowered by moving
the wedge at the back.

26

27

A pirate marksman needed calm
seas for carefully aiming his musket.

Hand-to-hand

A musket ball Amid a cloud of gunfire smoke,
was wrapped in pirates climbed aboard the enemy
a patch of cloth. ship, yelling and threatening.
Ruthless and determined, they were
Aim, fire! Patches were kept in patchboxes. well-armed for the fierce hand-to-

Before boarding, a marksman would hand fighting that followed.

aim his long musket to kill the steerer of

the ship. On boarding, a pirate fired his

pistol and then used the hard butt as a

club. A musketoon was used when he

was up close to his victims.

The musketoon was fired
from the shoulder.

Sea air sometimes dampened the Pistols were
powder in a pistol, and the gun would light and easy
misfire with a quiet “flash in the pan”. to carry, but
were slow
to reload. Cutthroat cutlass

Pirates only had time The short, broad blade of
to fire once from a cutlass was the perfect
their cannons weapon for fighting on
before boarding. board a ship. A longer
blade would get tangled
in a ship’s rigging.

The spikes of these caltrops,
or crowsfeet, thrown
on deck could cause
terrible injuries.

28

Axe attack Ramrod for pushing
the ball and patch
When attacking a large vessel, pirates used their axes to into the barrel.
help climb the ship’s wooden sides. Once on deck, the axes
were used to cut through the ropes holding up the sails.

A sharp blade of Dangerous daggers! PIRATE WOMEN
an axe could cut
through a rope Pirates often had daggers Women were not allowed on board pirate ships,
as thick as a tucked away under their however, some wanted the freedom and
man’s arm. clothes for a surprise attack. adventure. Dressed in pirate’s
These small, deadly clothing, they acted like men
A dagger was kept weapons were also ideal and fought often more fiercely
in a sheath. for use on the lower decks, than many men. Mary Read
where there was no space and Anne Bonny joined the
to swing a sword. pirate crew of Jack Rackham.
They were a fearsome duo, and
were the only members of the
crew brave enough to fight when
their ship was captured in 1720.

Scuttled!

In the 1630s, the
pirate David Jones sank a

ship he had captured
because it was no longer
seaworthy. Since then, the

term “Davy Jones’s locker”
refers to anything that
has been sent to the
sea floor on purpose.

29

A pirate’s life for me

A pirate attack was exciting and dangerous, but during
the weeks at sea in between these raids, pirates could
become bored and irritable on the crowded ships.

Shipshape

Many crew members were kept
busy with the constant need for
altering the sails and rigging to
keep the ship moving. Other jobs

included mending
any broken ropes

and sails and
cleaning their

weapons.

Pirates ate the tough, dried biscuits
known as “hard tack” in the dark to
avoid seeing the weevils on them.

There was little variety
and goodness in the
diet of the pirates.

Food and drink

Hens were often kept on
board to provide fresh eggs
and meat. Fish were also
caught. In the Caribbean,
turtles were caught and
stored on board. Fresh water
quickly became undrinkable,
so food was washed down
with beer or wine.

Ship words Life below decks

Bilge The lowest part of a As for any seamen, life on board a ship
was cramped, damp, and filthy. Below
ship that fills with slimy water. decks, there was the smell of rotting water,
tar, and unwashed bodies. In the dark,
Block and tackle The pirates dreamt about life on land.

pulleys and ropes of the rigging
supporting the masts and sails.

Crow’s nest A lookout

platform near the top
of the mast.

Pieces of
eight

Dice Cards

A large barrel Yo ho ho… Rats were
was known as a nuisance
a hogshead. On many pirate ships, gambling for and often ate
money was not allowed to prevent fights the food supplies.
on board. However, on reaching a port,
pirates could spend their booty on
having a wild time.

… and a bottle of rum

Innkeepers welcomed the thirsty pirates
into their dockside taverns. Tankards
made from pewter or leather were filled
and refilled with beer, wine, or even
rum. Pirates were often drunk onshore.

31

Marooned

Some pirate crews voted and agreed to Castaway
obey a code of conduct while on board.
However, if a pirate broke the rules, such A pirate left or stranded on a
as stealing from another or deserting the desert island faced loneliness and
ship during a battle, then as a punishment little hope of escape or rescue.
If the island had no fresh water,
he would be left behind food, or shelter, then
on a desert island. the pirate would
die slowly and
painfully.

Code of conduct A pistol was useful for
warning off wild beasts.
Typical pirate rules:
onAlpyirmwaaatetrcoshohnihpeedlspaplieilresasdltyeaawcsoauhyli.ds
•Everyone has a vote on

all important decisions.

•Everyone has an equal share

to the fresh food and drink.

•Lights and candles to be put

out at eight o’clock at night.

32

Short supplies PIRATE PUNISHMENTS

A disgraced pirate would be marooned Some of the worst punishments given to
with only the clothes he wore, a small pirates who broke the rules, or to prisoners
bottle of water, a pistol or a musket, and included “kiss the gunner’s daughter” –
a small amount of shot and gunpowder. bending over one of the ship’s guns and
He would have to find food and drink being flogged – and execution by shooting

if he was to survive. Gunpowder or hanging. Stories about prisoners
“walking the plank” – being forced
Musket balls off the end of a board into the
sea – have been made-up.
A bottle
filled with

one day’s

supply of

water

The real “Crusoe”

The fictional character

Robinson Crusoe was

based on the true story

of Alexander Selkirk.

For five years, Selkirk

survived on an island

before being rescued.

He even taught wild cats

and goats to dance.

Edward England Shipwreck
was an English
pirate captain. Pirates could also find themselves stranded
if their leaky ship ran aground, or if they
were too drunk to navigate and their ship
crashed into rocks. A passing ship was

their only hope of rescue.

Too kind

England’s crew
voted to maroon
their captain because
he was treating a
prisoner too well.
Along with two other
crew members, England
was left on the island
of Mauritius. They

built a boat and
escaped to Madagascar.

33

Pirates of the Indian Ocean

. Mecca India Some pirates who sailed to
the Indian Ocean to attack
AFRICA shipping were very successful.
The stories of the treasure
Indian they captured and the
Ocean fortunes they made have
become legendary.
Madagascar

The Red Fort in The Great Mogul
Delhi, India, was
a palace for The emperor of northern
the Mogul India, Aurangzeb, was
emperors. a religious man and very
wealthy. Once a year a
fleet of his ships carrying

pilgrims and treasure
sailed between Surat
in India and Mecca.

The “Arch-Pirate”

The pirate captain Henry Every
became famous for seizing the
largest load of treasure after his
brutal capture of the Mogul’s ship
Gang-i-Sawai returning from Mecca.

34

Fine silk Sparkling Large quantities
material jewellery of gems, such
as rubies
The prize

The precious gems
stolen from Indian ships
were not always easy to
divide equally among
the pirate crews, who
were each given one
share. The captain
received a double share.

Captain Every’s flag

Flying from Every’s ship,
the Fancy, was a flag
showing a variation on the
skull-and-crossbones design.
The bandanna and earring
have become popular
symbols of pirate
costumes.

Every facts

•Every was also known as

John Avery and Benjamin
Bridgeman.

•In 1694, he led a mutiny and

took over a privateers’s ship and
became a pirate captain.

•It is believed that he lost all

his wealth and died a poor man.

35

Unlucky pirate

The Great Mogul was furious about
Henry Every’s brutal attack on his
fleet. He threatened to stop trading
with the British government unless
they acted to stop the pirates.

In pirate Respectable Turned traitor
folklore,
it is said Scottish-born William Rather than tracking
that a Kidd was a well- down the pirates, Kidd
dead man respected sea captain and the crew of the
was left and shipowner in New Adventure Galley
to protect York. In 1695, he was attacked merchant
the loot. given a royal commission ships, including the
by the British king to huge Quedagh
hunt down the pirates Merchant, and took
in the Indian Ocean. the booty.

Many mysteries
surround the
sites of Kidd’s
buried gold.

Buried treasure

Kidd buried much of his treasure so
that he did not have to admit how
much he had stolen. One of
the spots was on Gardiner
Island, near New York,
but this hoard
was found.

The gates of Kidd’s ships
Newgate Prison in
London, where Kidd •The Adventure Galley had
was held for over a
year before his trial. 34 cannons and 150 crew.

Kidd’s trial took •After capturing the huge
place at the Old
Bailey, London, treasure ship, the Quedagh
in May 1701. Merchant, Kidd used the ship
to sail back to the Caribbean.
Captured
•Kidd renamed the ship as
Kidd’s actions and failure
angered the Mogul emperor the Adventure Prize.
further. On his return to New
York, Kidd was arrested and Accused
sent to prison in England.
At his trial, Kidd said his
Hanged crew had forced him to
loot the merchant ships.
In 1701, Kidd was hanged at The crew members there
London’s Execution Dock. The first
rope snapped, so he was hanged on denied this and Kidd
was sentenced to hang
the second attempt. His body was as a pirate.
left to hang in chains along the
River Thames
for years.

It’s likterleyatshuaret,pairraetjeuss’tmaampsy,twh.here “X” marks the spot of buried

37

38 39 Punishment Gallows words

Before his hanging, Since early times, if pirates were caught Jack Ketch A pirate’s
a prisoner was and convicted then they faced execution.
measured for his Privateers were imprisoned in dreadful nickname for the hangman.
gibbet cage. conditions with little hope of ever
being released. Hempen halter The noose

that was placed around the
pirate’s neck at the gallows.

Dance the hempen jig

To hang from the end of the
hangman’s hemp rope.

Usually new Life in a cell
wooden gallows
would be built Pirates were held in prisons before their
for each trials. These were overcrowded, damp,
execution. and very unhealthy places. Prisoners
had to pay for candles and food. Richer
ones bribed the gaolers for a better cell.

Gallows

Most pirates
were executed
by hanging.
Large crowds
would gather
to watch the
event. Pirates’ last
words were often
written down.

Gibbet cage Under lock and key

The bodies of pirates who had While in prison or being shipped to a prison,

been hanged were often put on pirates were held in very heavy metal chains

display as a warning to other around their wrists and ankles to prevent

seamen. A tight- them from escaping.

fitting cage called

a gibbet was made

to hold the bones in

place once the skin

had rotted. Some Handcuffs and key
bodies were coated

in tar to make

them last longer. Floating gaols

A blacksmith made To make room for more criminals, old ships were

the iron cage. turned into floating prisons. Prisoners were held in

the damp, stinking holds and fed rotten meat,

Soldiers guarded mouldy bread, and stale water. Captured
the prison hulks. French privateers dreaded the

Tiny windows allowed The washing English prison hulks, which
little fresh air inside or was hung they called
the unhealthy air out. out to dry. pontons.

The king of pirates

At the beginning of the From this watchtower, the
Danes looked out for enemy
NORTH 18th century, the Bahamas ships entering the harbour.
AMERICA became the base for a
new generation of
South
Carolina

Bahamas

pirates in the

Caribbean.

The most terrifying pirate

leader at this time was

known as Blackbeard.

Blackbeard’s castle

The Skytsbord Tower, built by
the Danes in 1679 on the

highest point of St. Thomas,
one of the US Virgin Islands,

has become known as
Blackbeard’s castle. It is said
that he used the tower to look
out for trading ships to attack.

Blackbeard facts

•He was an Englishman

called Edward Teach (or
Drummond, Thatch, or Tash).

•There are many stories

about his evil acts of cruelty.

•His rule of terror as a pirate

captain only lasted two years,
but he had become a legend.

40

The devil with an hourglass Medicine raids

From his ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, Blackbeard In 1718, Blackbeard blockaded
flew his flag, which meant time was running out for the harbour of Charleston, South
his victims. At the sight of this, many of the ships Carolina. He ransomed a member
he approached surrendered quickly. of the town’s council and a child in
exchange for a chest of medicines.
The hempen cord was
soaked in a liquid that The doctor’s
smoulders when lit. chest was always
taken from a
captured ship.

Pirates had to
steal everyday
items, such
as food and
medicines.

Scary Blackbeard’s head was hung on the
front of Maynard’s ship, HMS Pearl.
When he went into
battle, Blackbeard
weaved hemp cord into his
hair and set this alight, and
placed smouldering fuses
under his hat. He appeared
in a thick black

cloud of smoke to
scare his victims.

He carried six The end of an era
pistols, two
swords, and In 1718, Blackbeard was finally
a number of hunted down in the Ocracoke inlet,
knives. Even North Carolina, by the British navy.
his crew He was killed in a famous duel with
Lieutenant Maynard.
feared him.
41

Pirates of the Eastern Seas

ASIA Japan For over 1,600 years, ruthless pirates have
China threatened shipping and coastal towns in
South China Sea eastern Asia. They included small tribal
groups in light, speedy boats hiding among
Strait of
Malacca

the mangrove swamps to large well-armed

fleets roaming the coastline.

Junks usually have three Older junks
masts with four side-on sails. had sails made
from bamboo
Pirate junks matting.

Armed with 10 to 15 guns, cargo junks were
altered to become feared Chinese pirate
fighting ships. From the 17th century,
powerful pirates had large fleets of junks
and the Chinese and Japanese navy
were unable to defeat them.

Colourful flags

The large pirate fleets were split
into groups that each had its
own coloured flag. The pirates
worshipped the goddess T’en
Hou, who sometimes appeared
on their flags.

42

Held with Weapons BOGEYMAN
both hands,
the long blade The Chinese pirates used European trading ships sailing through the Straits
could even long, heavy swords for of Malacca were often attacked by the local Bugi
cut through hand-to-hand fighting. pirates. These pirates were ruthless murderers and
metal armour. The Japanese pirates fought kidnappers. Back home,
with two smaller swords – sailors told stories about
one in each hand. the Bugi men to scare their
children, saying, “If you’re
bad, the bugisman will come
and get you!” Over time,
bugis changed to bogey.

Held to ransom

19th-century Chinese pirates sent
ransom notes demanding money in
return for not attacking shipping,
destroying coastal towns, or taking
villagers as slaves.

Stamped out

Chui Apoo joined the fleet
of the powerful pirate chief
Shap’n’gtzai in 1845.
However, this large fleet was
finally destroyed by British
navy gunboats during 1849.

43

Pirates of today

The threat of an attack by pirates continues today. Some gangs
of modern-day pirates use the most up-to-date weapons and
technology for their daring raids.

High speed

When ships have to slow down to
pass through narrow channels between
islands, they are most at risk from a
surprise attack from pirates, approaching
in high speed motorboats or dinghies.

Many pirates are Pirates climb
heavily armed with aboard using
machine-guns, knives, grappling
and mortars. hooks and
ropes, or poles.

Modern piracy

•In 2002, 370 pirate attacks

were reported across the world.

•Most attacks occurred in

the waters of Indonesia.

•Most ships are attacked

while at anchor.

•There were 25 hijackings

(or attempted ones) in 2002.

44

A global positioning Technology Aircraft and
system uses satellites helicopters watch
to help people Some well- shipping lanes.
navigate. organised gangs
use radio, radar, Fighting pirates
and global-
positioning Well-equipped special
systems to track forces and coast
the ship they have guards are trained
chosen to attack. to patrol the seas
They steal cargo and investigate pirate
worth millions of attacks. Ships are
dollars while the encouraged to keep
ship’s crew sleep. alert and in constant
contact by radio.
The Piracy Reporting Training
Centre provides information exercises The cash for port
and investigates pirate recreate a charges and
attacks around the world. real raid. paying the crew
would be kept
Hijacked inside a ship’s safe.

Some pirates take over a ship and create a
“phantom ship”. They repaint and rename
the vessel, make false papers, and then offer
to carry a cargo. However, they sail
to a different port to sell
the cargo themselves.

Safe-breakers

The most common pirate raids are those
on merchant ships or luxury yachts.

The pirates act quickly
to take any money
or possessions from
those on board and

then escape.

45

Glossary

Here are the meanings of some words that are useful to know
when you are learning about pirates.

Artefact an object from Caravel a small ship Galley a ship powered by
the past that provides clues with three sails used by the oars and sails used in the
about how people lived. Spanish and Portuguese Mediterranean Sea; a
Bandana a large colourful in the 15th and early ship’s kitchen.
handkerchief sometimes 16th centuries.
tied around the head. Gallows a post-and-beam-
Barnacle a small sea Careen to clean and structure used for hanging
creature that clings to rocks repair a ship on a beach. criminals.
and the bottom of ships.
Cargo goods carried Gambling playing a game
Blockade to stop ships on a ship. for money or possessions.
or supplies entering
a port. Commission permission Gibbet an iron frame for
Booty goods that given to a privateer to displaying criminals who
are stolen or taken attack enemy shipping. have been hanged.
by violence.
Buccaneer Convoy a group Gunboat a warship powered
a pirate of ships sailing together by sails and steam used in
attacking protected by the navy. the 19th century.
ships in the
Caribbean Corsair a pirate active
in the 17th in the Mediterranean Sea
century. between the 15th and
18th centuries.
Dividers used
for measuring Cutlass a short sword
on sea charts. used by sailors.

Doubloon a Spanish

gold coin. Compass

East Indiamen a large

sailing ship used for trading

between Europe and Asia Hard tack a stale
in the 17th and 18th ship’s biscuit.
centuries.
Hijack to take over
Execution the punishment control of a ship or its
of being put to death as a cargo by force.
criminal.
Hold (of a ship) a place
Galleon a large ship with for storing goods.
square sails used by the
Spanish in the 16th and Hull the main frame of
17th centuries. a ship.

Infamous a person well- A navigational
known for doing bad deeds. instrument for
telling the time
Jolly Roger a pirate’s flag.
Plunder to Surrender to hand over
Junk a ship with side-on sails take goods by control and possessions
used in the Far East. force; booty. to someone else after
fighting them.
Keel a piece of wood along Privateer a shipowner who Tar a thick, dark, sticky
the centre of the bottom is given permission by their substance used to seal and
of a ship. country to attack and loot preserve objects against
other countries’ ships. the weather.
Kidnap to take a person Tavern an inn or a place
by force. Raid a surprise attack to that sells drinks.
steal goods from a place
Letters of marque official or a person. Viking a Scandinavian
papers given to privateers. warrior and sea-trader
Rais a sea captain for of the 8th to
Longship a Viking’s the Barbary corsairs. 10th centuries.
sailing ship.
Ransom to demand Pirate navigators
Manoeuvre to change the money for the release used simple
position of a ship. of a captured instruments.
person.
Maroon to leave someone
on a desert island. Rapier a long,
straight sword with
Merchant a person who buys a narrow pointed
and sells goods. blade.

Musket a long-barrelled gun. Rigging the ropes and chains
used on a ship to support the
Navigate to plan and guide masts and sails.
the course of a ship with
the help of charts Scuttling to sink a ship
and equipment. on purpose.

Outlaw a person running Share a part of the loot.
away from the law.
Spices plants that are used
Pieces of eight a Spanish to flavour and preserve food.
silver coin that pirates divided
into pieces.

Pistol a light, short-
barrelled gun.

Apoo, Chui 43 Index phantom ship 45
axe 29 Piracy Reporting
Aztecs 16, 17 galleons 16, 17 Kidd, William 36-37
galleys 9, 12, 13, kidnap 8, 9 Centre 45
Barbarossa brothers 13 Pirate Round 24-25
Bellamy, Sam 5 14, 15 Le Clerc, François 18 pistol 28, 32, 41
Blackbeard 6, 40-41 gallows 38 Lepanto, Battle of 15 Port Royal, Jamaica 21
Bonny, Anne 29 gambling 31 L’Ollonais, François 21 prison 38, 39
buccaneers 6, 20-21 gibbet 39 longships 11 privateers 6, 18-19
Bugi men gold 11, 16, 17, 20, 25 punishment 32, 33,
Great Mogul 34, 36, 37 Madagascar 24, 33
(Bogeymen) 43 Malta 14-15 38-39
hanging 37, 38-39 marooned 32-33
cannon 26, 28 hard tack medicine 41 Rackham, Jack 22, 29
caravels 17 Morgan, Sir Henry 21 ransom 12, 41, 43
careening 24 (sea biscuit) 30 musket 28, 33 rapier 14
code of conduct 32 hijack 44, 45 musketoon 28 Read, Mary 29
Columbus, Christopher Roberts,
Incas 16, 17 navigate 45
16, 17 New World 16 Bartholomew 23
corsairs 7, 12-15 Jolly Roger 22-23
Cortes, Hernan 17 junks 42 Selkirk, Alexander 33
cutlass 28 Shap’n’gtzai 43
shipwreck 5, 33
dagger 14, 23, 29 silver 9, 20, 25
Davy Jones’s locker 29 slaves 9, 12, 20
Dragut Rais 12 Spanish Main 16, 17, 19
Drake, Sir Francis spices 19, 25
sword 10, 14, 22, 23,
18, 19
25, 41, 43
East Indiamen 25
England, Edward 33 tavern 31
Every, Henry 7, Teach, Edward see

34-35, 36 Blackbeard
Tew, Thomas 25
flag 18, 22-23, 35, trial 4, 37, 38
41, 42
Verney, Sir Francis 15
Florin, Jean 17 Vikings 7, 10-11

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