• New Horizons on Maelstrom
    Maelstrom New Horizons


    Visit our website www.piratehorizons.com to quickly find download links for the newest versions of our New Horizons mods Beyond New Horizons and Maelstrom New Horizons!

Practicalities of being an old fashioned Pirate.

C

child of Thor

Landlubber
<b>Practicalities of being a Pirate in the era of pirates(`15-17th` centuries)</b>

I think i need a thread to discuss the real implications of being a pirate at this time, we all live(for the most part) in our 21st century world but have a sneaking desire for a return to them olden days of mischief and piracy <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/keith.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":keith" border="0" alt="keith.gif" />

Still i've often wondered just what the real world concerns would be, it would be a world away from playing PotC on your pc for example.

So i'll get the ball rolling with a few thoughts.

<i>sunblock</i> - Pirates didnt have any of this stuff, and if you've been lucky enough to actually go to sea on a boat and its been sunny, you know just how important sunblock is to protect yourself, so just what did they do to solve the very real problem of sunburn?
We see that headscarves are often used to protect the head, but we also see many pictures and discriptions of pirates going around bare chested.

This seems a bit crazy as even the darkest skin can burn after enough exposure to the sun, and severe sunburn can kill - so they must have had a way to protect themselves from the elements, i'm thinking pig grease(the buccaneers could have used this?) but anyone else have any ideas or info?


<i>health/disease</i> - bad diets,stress(!),and the infamous 'having a good time in port' situations, all add up to a lot of physical and mental pressures of the life. How did they cope with this all and would it ever be a profession of choice? or were they all desperate men(and the odd women) with no where left to go?
I feel i could probably manage the life of a pirate, but it wouldn't the same type of life we read about! I'd have to keep clean living to try to stay alive! and i'd want to eat well to support the physical demands of the job, no scurvy for me!! I sort of get the feeling that part of the terror of pirates might have been the disgust when you saw a boat load of them coming to get your ship - racked with sexual diseases, stinking to high heaven and drunk into a battle frenzy!
I dont think i could live that life for sure <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_eek.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":shock:" border="0" alt="icon_eek.gif" />

any other ideas of a pirates real life troubles?
 
this belongs in the blind parrot <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/onya.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="onya.gif" />
*moved*
 
thankyou Spaz <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

<i>Fugitive status</i> - the risk of running a foul of the law of one or many nations! Ok so you could be a privateer when that suited one of the nations, but this was by no means a get out of jail card - many privateers were hunted+hung just like common pirates. So were pirates criminals from the outset?



<i>shipwreck</i> - the weather in the caribbean is very tempremental, and all the island reefs make for hazardous sailing. Its seems a good few pirates ended their days in Davey Jones locker.
 
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->So were pirates criminals from the outset?  <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I think a lot of it depended on who was calling you a pirate, especially during the age of Imperialism. (and even more so, back then, if they caught you.) When various powers were competing to establish control over various parts of the world, one countries' pirate was another countries' hero. John Paul Jones was considered a pirate by the British during the American Revolution, and Drake was certainly a pirate in the eyes of the Spanish, but both are now considered to be the founders of the navies of the countries in whose interests they fought. There is debate to this day in terms of whether Captain Kidd was a pirate, acting outside of the law, or a privateer, acting within the scope of the law. (I think it was on the History Channel where they commented upon how evidence that might have cleared Kidd, papers that indicated that the prizes he had taken were lawful, conveniently disapeared, only to be discovered centuries after Kidd's hanging.)

I like the idea behind this thread, back in the "Golden Age of Piracy" there was not a system of communication like the one that exists today, and there were no armed aircraft either. Both of these would have a profound effect upon any attempt at reviving piracy on any kind of a large scale. Nevertheless, Child of Thor, I think we should give the attempt some serious consideration, this modern life is a little too dull for me of late.
<img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" />
 
Ah yes if you want to be a pirate in todays world you be needing small swift craft, and lots of firepower helps. In quick and then you need good places to hide, so lots of little islands. hmm some kind of radio jamming equipement would be a good idea too.

I think i'd go with a couple of dark inflatables and some hefty outboard motors, a few assault rifles and tear gas <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/guns.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":2guns" border="0" alt="guns.gif" />

still i think all that stuff kinda spoils the atmosphere to some extent, so i'd rather invent a time machine and use wood boats, wind power and cold steal <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/keith.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":keith" border="0" alt="keith.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/pirate2.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p:" border="0" alt="pirate2.gif" />

<i>Class</i> - kind of tied up in the whole criminal or patriot problem of being an old fashioned pirate.
If you were of a noble family and happened to do a bit of pirating then you could get away with it(Henry Morgan seemed to have these connections with high society).
I'm guessing many of the pirates who didn't, or who didnt keep these influencial people happy(with money from their escapades i guess), would end up being treated like the common pirate - the kinda pirate we're all used to speaking like to be piratey <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/pirate3.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p2" border="0" alt="pirate3.gif" />
So i'm kind of seeing a two teir system of pirating operating in the caribbean.
If you belong to one - your onto a long term good thing as long as you survived the actual activities.
If your a common 'av at ye and curse m' barnicle arssed missus!' pirate, chances are if you actually do well its the gallows for you.

Hmmm. could be why someone like Henry Morgan could just abandon his crew when it suited him. To him as to most aristocrats, the common man was merely chattle, cannon fodder for getting a job done?

ok so to sum up - to be a succesful pirate, and live to enjoy your prizes, you needed to be good at a plummy accent -" I say old boy, unhand me this instant - i'm the kings nephew i tell you!" <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="icon_wink.gif" /> and have friends in high places.

Or just be very very lucky.
 
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->still i think all that stuff kinda spoils the atmosphere to some extent, so i'd rather invent a time machine and use wood boats, wind power and cold steal  <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Take me with you when you manage it, I'm good with a sword! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/onya.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="onya.gif" />
 
Well i guess we should all ask Patxx to 'liberate' us all from our 21st century lives when that 40meter boat rebuild is done <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/keith.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":keith" border="0" alt="keith.gif" />

oh and i'd better try to find/build that time machine <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/onya.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="onya.gif" />
 
Actually, I have a plan for recapturing the fun and romance of "true" piracy - no uzis and rubber boats for me!

Step 1) Wait till I'm so old that cops will feel bad about putting me in jail.

Step 2) Dress like a proper pirate and get myself a nice traditional sloop.

Step 3) Get `rip-roaring` drunk.

Step 4) Toodle around the bay chasing down tourist boats (`deep-sea` fishing, `glass-bottom` tours, novice `learn-to`-sail classes, etc) and bombarding them with broadsides from my potato cannons and `water-balloon` muskets.

Step 5) Go home and let my wife make me dinner.

Yup - that'll be the life <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/onya.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="onya.gif" />

You're all free to join my crew so long as you can pass the three trials (which I've yet to make up.)
 
I'll bring the rum, Bilgemunky. Does that mean I've passed the three trials? <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="icon_wink.gif" /> <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="xD:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />
 
depends on which rum you bring <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_wink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="icon_wink.gif" />
 
Alright - you're in.

I'll send you a list of rums needed as soon as I'm old enough to collect social security <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheeky" border="0" alt="icon_mrgreen1.gif" />
 
Bilgemunky,
I've been called, "the Master of Misdirection," a useful skill to have when being pursued by pirate hunters, and I'm a fair hand with a potato cannon, can I join too? <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/guns.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":2guns" border="0" alt="guns.gif" />
 
At last, Bilgemunky's crew of future geriatric rogues comes together <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/william.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":will" border="0" alt="william.gif" />

SirChristopherMings - you can be the Master Gunner, but ya gotta bring your own potatoes (and pizza every third weekend.) Also, be careful when firing that you never hit a tourist wearing glasses.

Catalina gets the coveted position of Quartermaster because, well, you know - rum.
 
<img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/onya.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="onya.gif" /> Thanks, Bilgemunky! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheeky" border="0" alt="icon_mrgreen1.gif" /> I'll be on it! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" />

Hey, a good hand with a potato cannon is a tremendous asset, methinks! Sir Christopher, do you know anyone who can wield a water balloon musket? <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/william.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":will" border="0" alt="william.gif" />
 
Potatoes and pizzas it is sir, if you please. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" />

And no bespectacled lubbers, duly noted. <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="8)" border="0" alt="cool.gif" />

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Sir Christopher, do you know anyone who can wield a water balloon musket?  <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'll bet there are a number of our mutual acquaintance t'will prove more than apt, and willing to boot! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/onya.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":onya" border="0" alt="onya.gif" />
 
<!--`QuoteBegin-Bilgemunky`+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bilgemunky)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Actually, I have a plan for recapturing the fun and romance of "true" piracy - no uzis and rubber boats for me!

Step 1) Wait till I'm old enough that cops will feel bad about putting me in jail.

Step 2) Dress like a proper pirate and get myself a nice traditional sloop.

Step 3) Get `rip-roaring` drunk.

Step 4) Toodle around the bay chasing down tourist boats (`deep-sea` fishing, `glass-bottom` tours, novice `learn-to`-sail classes, etc) and bombarding them with broadsides from my potato cannons and `water-balloon` muskets.

Step 5) Go home and let my wife make me dinner.

Yup - that'll be the life  :onya  

You're all free to join my crew so long as you can pass the three trials (which I've yet to make up.)[/quote] Bilgemunky, it be 'parent tew ol' Fred Bob dat ye be a `true-tew`-life man o' vision thar, matey! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen1.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheeky" border="0" alt="icon_mrgreen1.gif" /> Fred Bob kin make a mean paper airplane an' be a fair hand at map readin' an' udder `book-larnin`'! <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/pirate_plain.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p3" border="0" alt="pirate_plain.gif" />
 
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Fred Bob kin make a mean paper airplane an' be a fair hand at map readin' an' udder `book-larnin`'!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Sounds like the makins of a cartographer if I ever heard'n. You will be in charge of the readins and writins of maps, as well as 'splainin to the rest of us what the squiggles mean on the little pink slips of paper the cops give us as they warn, "We know you're just a bunch of loveable old geizers, but the next time you board the mayor's yacht to steal his girlfriend's - hey, is that barbeque we smell???"

Sir Christopher Ming the merciless will show you your general quarters station, 'n see Catalina for yer first tot of rum (note to Catalina - I only use the word "tot" to appease coastguard regulation - give Fred Bob a bottle, or if he prefers he may submerge his face in the barrel.)
 
I'd probably make a decent navigator/sailor/luckyguy of some sort - I've tried my hand against the wild sea's on a number of occasions and apart from a broken topmast and a lost life dingy, i've got the crew home safe and in one peice.
In a way i feel like Davy Jones and myself have an understanding - he could have claimed me a couple o times, but maybe its me welsh blood, and him being a Jones? Still whatever the weather, i'll get us home safe to port <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/keith.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":keith" border="0" alt="keith.gif" />

I'll probalby look really old and grizzled by the time we get around to this, so might even look the part too <img src="http://www.piratesahoy.com/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/par-ty.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":cheers" border="0" alt="par-ty.gif" />
 
Sorry, Child of Thor, but it sounds to me like the primary navigator qualification ye be offerin is that ye've been lucky in the past, so I don't think I'll be placin ya in that position just yet.

However, as ye've expressed concern in yer origninal post as to the diet 'n stress of the pirate life, ye can have yer pick of Ship's Cook or MWR Officer (that's Morale, Welfare, and Recreation.) As Ship's Cook, the galley would be yer canvas, and the dishes ye create, yer masterpieces (served three times daily). As MWR Officer, it would be yer job to hire, fire, and (when needed) horsewhip the minstrels ta keep them playing a right jolly tune while we terrorize the tourism industry. Occasionally, we might have to leave ya ashore to see to the details of a `land-based` `post-raid` victory party/wench auction - so I hope yer a trustworthy sort (and if yer not, we can always keelhaul ya!)

Let me know yer preference and I'll duly note it in me cap'n's log.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top