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Pirates!
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Pirate or Privateer
When considering the actions of a raider at
sea, the distinction is often made between a pirate
and a privateer. A pirate is a raider that does not
recognize any established governmental authority,
and is generally free to attack whichever Prize
seems most lucrative and opportune. A privateer,
on the other hand, is generally in possession of a
letter of marque, given to him by a governmental
authority, which authorizes him to raid ships of a
particular enemy. In essence, a pirate is a bandit,
free to choose his victims, while a privateer is a
mercenary, whose pay comes in form of the loot
he can gather from the enemy. Of course, from
the point of view of the victim, it does not matter
much whether the attacker terms himself a pirate
or a privateer. In fact, many pirates have good
reputations and will fight honorably. Some pirates
have even established such firm control in a
local area that they are in effect a governmental
authority in and of themselves. A few pirates
have used such positions of power to negotiate
legitimacy within a recognized government, perhaps
being rewarded with the designation of admiral
of the new royal navy that used to be their
pirate fleet. Conversely, the label of privateer in
no way guarantees that the raider will fight honorably,
and may actually result in more bloody
battles due to the enmity between the enemies.
The Code of Conduct
It may come as a surprise to many that pirate
vessels tend to be run democratically. The pirate
venture requires that each man be willing to undergo
severe hardships and endure violent dangers,
in order to perhaps achieve a comfortable
retirement. The type of people that are drawn to
this sort of life are daring and adventurous. They
depend on each other for survival, and consider
each other equals in the dangerous undertaking
they have joined – a company of fellows. On most
ships, all pirates are required to sign the Articles
of Conduct particular to their ship or company, so
that everyone knows what is expected, and what
they will receive for their work. They may live outside
the law of the land, but they are bonded together,
and live by a law of their own, which is
respected and followed by all from captain to common
sailor.
Many decisions on a pirate ship are arrived at
by majority vote. One of the most important votes
is to decide on the captain. This is often the person
who owns the ship, but not always. Once a
captain is decided, his orders are final in the case
of a battle or similar situation. But apart from
that, the captain will not necessarily make the
decision on important matters, it could be decided
by a majority vote. This level of independence and
freedom is frequently much greater than a lawabiding
citizen under a feudal system can expect.
However, when a person decides to walk away
from a conventional life, and sign the articles
of a ship, they know that the chances of returning
to their former way of life are slim to
none. They may never return, dying on the
seas, or they may become wanted criminals
in their homeland.
As mentioned in the Articles of Conduct,
if a pirate loses a limb he will receive
compensation commensurate to the type of
limb. Table 1-2 expands on this list with
common payments. Note the fact that the
compensation for a right arm is higher than
for a left arm, assuming the person is righthanded.
| Injury Compensation |
| Loss of an eye | 50 gp |
| Loss of right arm | 300 gp |
| Loss of left arm | 250 gp |
| Loss of a finger | 50 gp |
| Loss of right leg | 250 gp |
| Loss of left leg | 200 gp |
The Articles of Conduct
| ♣ | Every crewmember shall obey the Civil Command of the Company. |
| ♣ | The Captain and Quartermaster are to receive 2 shares of a prize;
the Boatswain and Gunner, 1½ shares; other Officers 1¼ shares.
All others who have signed these Articles will receive 1 share. |
| ♣ | All that have signed these Articles, and sworn to their fellow crewmembers,
will have a vote in matters not regulated by the Captain.
Those crewmembers who have not signed or sworn will not vote. |
| ♣ | The Captain and Officers are to be chosen by majority vote upon
the commencement of a voyage, or on such other occasions as the
majority of the crew thinks fit. |
| ♣ | The Captain’s word is absolute in time of chase or battle. He may
punish, in whatever manner he chooses, any crewmember that
dares deny his command in this instance. In all other matters the
Captain will be governed by majority vote of the crew. |
| ♣ | Everyone will have equal right to the provisions at any time, and to
use them at their leisure unless a shortage makes it necessary to
vote a restriction for the good of all. |
| ♣ | Everyone will be called in turn by the roster kept by the Quartermaster,
once any Prize is boarded. Each boarder will receive a suit
of clothes from the Prize. The one who first sees a sail shall have
an extra ¼ share of that Prize. |
| ♣ | The Quartermaster is to be the first man on board of any Prize; he
is to separate for the Company’s use what he thinks fit, and shall
control the common treasury until it is shared. He shall keep records
showing each crewmember’s share, and each crewmember
may draw from the common treasury, against his share, upon request. |
| ♣ | If anyone defrauds the Company, or one another, to the value of 1
gold, he shall suffer whatever punishment the majority thinks fit. |
| ♣ | Anyone who deserts the Ship, keeps any secret from the Company,
or who deserts his station in time of battle, shall be punished by
death, marooning, or whipping, as the majority shall think fit. |
| ♣ | If anyone strikes or abuses one another of our Company, in any
regard, he shall suffer a punishment as the majority thinks fit.
Everyone’s quarrel is to be settled on shore under the supervision
of the Quartermaster. |
| ♣ | No one is to talk of breaking up our way of living until each of us
has shared a thousand gold. |
| ♣ | There will be no gambling onboard the ship. |
| ♣ | If any Man should lose a limb, or become a cripple, he is to have
300 pieces of gold out of the common treasury, and for lesser hurts,
proportionately. |
The Pirate Crew
There is a defined hierarchy on board of
a pirate ship, which follows the most important
functions. This hierarchy is not geared
towards who has more say on board, but
what the chain of command is in any particular
situation.
Captain
Many people have a misunderstanding about
the role and authority of the pirate captain. Most
pirate captains are elected by the ship’s crew, and
need to possess qualities of leadership and courage
that inspire their crew to follow them and rely
on their acumen in battle. A captain is expected
to be daring and decisive during any engagement.
The captain is commonly looked upon with respect,
as a knowledgeable leader of men, and if
the crew starts to feel he does not fit this role they
will throw him out when the next chance for a
vote arises. During chase or in a battle the captain's
power is absolute and he can discipline anyone
who disobeyed his orders. He also has life or
death power over anyone taken as prisoner. The
captain usually has skills in navigation and seamanship.
But first and foremost he has to have
the type of personality required to hold together a
rowdy crew of seamen.
Quartermaster
The quartermaster is next in line after the
captain in exercising authority over the pirate
crew. His authority on the ship takes up where
the captain’s leaves off. Whenever the ship is not
in chase or battle, the quartermaster makes most
of the decisions regarding the day-to-day ship activities,
and actually often has authority over the
captain on many routine matters. The quartermaster
is also elected by the crew, and is expected
to represent their interests, for which he receives
an extra share of the treasure. His main function
is to protect the crew against each other by maintaining
order, settling squabbles, and distributing
food. The quartermaster usually also keeps the
account books for the ship. He can punish the
crew for disobedience and frequently mediates
minor disputes among the crew. The quartermaster
also quite often leads any boarding action, being
the first to board the Prize ship. If the pirates
are successful, he decides what plunder to take.
If the pirates decide to keep a captured ship, the
quartermaster often takes over as the captain of
that ship.
Sailing Master
This is the officer in charge of piloting, navigation,
and the actual sailing of the ship. He determines
the course and looks after any and all instruments
needed to navigate the ship. Since the
skills of a sailing master are very specific and
valuable on any ship, many have to be forced into
pirate service.
Boatswain or Bos’n
A boatswain’s duty is to supervise the maintenance
of the ship and its naval provisions, such
as tar, pitch and tallow, spare sails, etc. He must
inspect the ship, sails and rigging each day, and
report their condition to the quartermaster or captain,
as appropriate. The boatswain is also in
charge of all deck activities, such as weighing or
dropping anchor, and handling of the sails.
Carpenter
The carpenter’s duty is the maintenance and
repair of the wooden hull, masts and yards. He
works under the orders of the boatswain. The
carpenter checks the hull regularly, repairing it as
needed. The carpenter has no authority and cannot
give any orders; nonetheless he is a privileged
person, and on many ships receives a slightly larger
share than the rest of the crew.
Master Gunner
The master gunner is accountable for the
ship's guns and ammunition. This includes sifting
the gunpowder, to keep it dry and prevent it
from separating; making certain that the cannon
balls are free of rust, and that all weapons are in
good repair. A knowledgeable gunner is essential
to the crew's safety and effective use of the ship’s
cannons. Many ships seek to attract an Artillerist
to their crew.
Mate
On large ships there is quite often more than
one mate aboard. The mate serves as apprentice
to the sailing master, boatswain, carpenter and
gunner; helping out wherever he is needed. He
takes care of the outfitting of the vessel, and
makes certain that the ship is amply provided
with ropes, pulleys, sails, and all the other rigging
that is necessary. When in port, the mate is responsible
for the repair of cables and anchors,
and manages the sails, yards and mooring of the
ship.
Surgeon
The surgeon is responsible for the fitness of
the crew, and the treatment of the sick and
wounded. As another person with critical skills
that are sought after in many places, the surgeon
is also often an unwilling recruit on a pirate vessel.
Accordingly, the surgeon may not be allowed
to leave the vessel on which he is engaged before
the voyage is accomplished, either for boarding
parties or for shore leave.
Sailor
The common sailor, who is the foundation of
the ship’s operation, needs to know the rigging
and the sails. He needs to understand how to
maneuver the ship and how to sail under different
wind conditions. A good sailor can discern
weather patterns, read the stars, and, most importantly,
can anticipate the wishes of his commanders.
A ship’s crew must work together in
careful synchronization to maneuver a large sailing
vessel while tacking or wearing the vessel, or
while docking or weighing anchor. A capable crew
is critical during battle maneuvers, when the exact
position of a ship makes all the difference.
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