Writing Pirates: myths and misconceptions
A quick guide to the most popular misconceptions of a pirate's life.
1. Walking The Plank
Thinking of becoming a pirate, but afraid of heights? Don't worry. You find yourself a captive? Pirates will throw you right overboard.
Despite having been heavily depicted in mainstream media, there has been little to no evidence of pirates ever using the plank as punishment [and even if they did — it was far from common practice].
Pirates lived by a code of conduct, which determined how they would treat their prisoners [as well as each other, come a pirate to betray the crew or cause mishap onboard the ship. Gambling was also, not prohibited]. Punishment ranged anywhere from throwing prisoners overboard, to marooning (leaving prisoner on deserted island) and keelhauling (being pulled under water, dragged against the ship)
Linked here is a scene from Black Sails with keelhauling used as punishment (WARNING: if you're sensitive to blood, gore and torn limbs, do NOT watch this video).
2. Pirate captains
While most pirate captains made themselves well deserving of their bloody reputations — no captain ruled their vessel with an iron fist.
As a matter of fact, the Captain of the ship only had absolute control during battle. Any other day, set aside from the captain's cabin, his rights were equal to his crew's — and most of the authority was given to the quartermaster. [who's job was to settle minor disputes, as well as punish those men who transgressed the conduct set in place].
The Captain was voted into power, and if he failed to meet the needs of his crew, or deemed too unfit to rule, he would be deposed of.
3. Shiver me timbers, matey?
Nope. Sorry to burst your bubble — Not even pirates speak pirate.
Sure, most pirates might still have spoken in colorful phrases and accents, but their language was more likely to resemble that of a sailor from their region at the time [with a splattering use of curse words borrowed from French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch and Arabic, if they were British].
Phrases such as ''shiver me timbers'' and ''arrs'' were popularized due to the 1950's Disney movie Treasure Island, with the introduction of Robert Newton as Long John Silver. So in other words, no arr, ahoy matey! Avast ye timbers!
4. Pirates buried their treasures
Aside from Captain William Kidd (who buried some of his treasure near Long Island before sailing into New York City to turn himself in), pirates usually divided and spent their loot right away.
Most of the treasure consisted of things they've plundered, such as food, supplies, animal hides and lumber. It wasn't uncommon to blow money on fun, liquor and women either. Pirates were known to be heavy drinkers. And if not — the goods collected worked as trade goods.
5. Privateers VS pirates
You want to be a pirate without the risk of conviction? Go for a privateer.
It's important to remember that pirates and privateers are not synonyms of one another, pirates are robbers who plunder the sea, while privateers were private individuals commissioned and licensed to attack and seize vessels of hostile nations.
As opposed to a pirate, a privateer was recognized by law, and could not be prosecuted for the crimes he admitted, which made the system wide open to abuse. Most privateers were nothing more than licensed pirates. Technically they're different — but use the same tactic.
6. Pirates were all old men (and only men)
Majority of pirates were young man in their 20s, who turned to piracy after having tried, and failed, to get a job as a sailor or merchant. Another factor being that men in their 20s had less attachments at home, and thus more willing to become pirates.
Women were rarely welcomed onboard (they were said to bring bad luck) but many disguised themselves as men to become one — and proved their worth through wits, guts and contribution. They had to be tougher than their male counterparts. If you were a woman on board, survival depended on being both both smarter and braver.
Many women however, simply pretend to be pirates in an effort to take advantage of some of the freedom, rights and privileges that were exclusive to men at the time.
