Special Sub-Topic: Be Ye A Pirate? Click Here To Play: Be Ye A Pirate?

If ye be entitled to a double share of the loot and booty ye be the ______.

Captain of the pirate ship. The Captain and, sometimes, the Quartermaster were entitled to a double share of the proceeds of any looting. On some ships the Captain would receive only a share and a half. On some ships the Quartermaster would receive less than the Captain. Pirates also gave cash compensation to crew members who suffered loss of limb while on duty.

If ye desire to be captain, what be the way?

election by the crew. In most cases the pirate captain was elected by the crew. In many cases his authority could only be exercised regarding choice of victims and leading up to and during battle. The pirates tended to have a very democratic and enlightened system of management.

If ye quarrel with a brother pyrate, how be the way to resolve the quarrel?

Pistols and swords on shore. Pirates had formal articles which members of the crew signed, or at the very least, agreed to. One of the conditions of being a crew member was that if you have a disagreement you don't settle it while onboard. It was generally not acceptable to have women or small boys onboard either, as this could also lead to disputes. One of the captain's prime functions was to keep the crew happy and functioning as an effective team.

On a pyrate ship, when be the musicians given time off?

On the sabbath, of course.. In 'Black' Bart Roberts articles musicians were, indeed, given the sabbath as a day free from labour.

If ye be onboard and ye be goin' to the 'Head', what be ye about to do?

go to the toilet. The head is, of course, the toilet. It was normally located at the front of the ship.

What be the difference between a cutlass and rapier?

The cutlass was shorter and heavier.. The cutlass was a heavier, thicker and shorter type of sword, used mainly for slashing rather than for thrusting. It was well suited to combat onboard ships where there was restricted space and many obstructions. Due to its weight is was not as quick as the rapier, but could be used more effectively in close combat.

If ye be in the middle of battle fighting 'scurvy bilge-rats' for ye very life, which of the following implements be the most useful to ye in the fight?

Cartouche. The cartouche was a box for storing cartridges. Bloody Flux was dysentry. Booty was the loot you took after winning the battle. Hardtack was dried bread made from flour and water baked into a moisture-free rock-like substance to prevent spoilage - it had to be broken into small pieces or soaked in water before it could be eaten.

If ye be sailing under the Jolly Roger and ye be saling under a red flag, with a winged hour-glass, an arm with a sword and a death's head who be ye captain?

Chris Moody. Many pirates had their own individual Jolly Roger. Jack Rackham's flag had a skull above crossed swords, Henry Every flew a flag with the profile of a skull above crossed bones while Tom Tew had a strong arm holding a scimitar.

If ye be a pirate, which of the following be ye favourite port of call?

Tortuga. Tortuga was located in, what is now, Haiti. It was the home base for a group of pirates calling themselves the 'Brethren of the Coast'. They operated from there during the 1600s, until wiped out shortly after 1680. It was originally settled by the French and had been attacked by Spanish troops who didn't want people from other nations settling in the New World. The other ports mentioned were well known for hanging pirates, although Port Royale was, at one time, a pirate haven.

If ye be looking for a ship built for speed, ye be looking for a ______.

Pinnace. The pinnace was built for speed and was very manoeuvrable, with a shallow draft. The barque was a smallish ship, usually with a shallow draft and a little broad so as to allow it to carry cargo, but it was not fast. The galleon was a large merchant vessel used for carrying large and heavy cargos - if it was any slower it would sail backwards. The frigate was a large, fast warship, but not in the same class as a pinnace when it comes to speed. Pirates often times preferred to have a small, fast ship as to cut and run was, sometimes, a better option than to have to stand and fight.