Pirate Crew Definitions

Buccaneer, title applied to English, Dutch, and French seafaring adventurers of the 17th century. In the previous century such daring fighters and seamen as the Englishmen Sir Francis Drake and Sir Richard Hawkins had obtained wealth in privateering operations against Spain, in the Caribbean Sea and off the coasts of North America. Inspired by the success of these men and the lure of riches, a group of wandering pirates called freebooters or buccaneers began to harass the Spanish colonies in the New World, particularly during the second half of the 17th century. The most famous buccaneer, Sir Henry Morgan, was from England. Buccaneers are usually distinguished from privateers, who had official government commissions; buccaneers rarely had valid commissions. They are also distinguished from the pirates who attacked ships of all nations and were outlawed in the 18th century. At first the headquarters of the buccaneers was on the little island of Tortuga ( le de la Tortue), off the northwestern coast of Hispaniola (now Haiti) in the main line of the Caribbean commerce. The term buccaneer was derived from their practice of raiding Hispaniola and taking the cattle from the Spanish plantations; they dried the meat on grills, known in French as boucan, and sold it to vessels that put in for provisions. The buccaneers later used Jamaica as a base of operations, and with Morgan as their leader they captured Panama in 1671. Buccaneering came to an end in the 18th century when the buccaneers were hired by their respective governments to fight as privateers in the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-14). Several buccaneers wrote exciting tales of their adventures which, subsequently, inspired further exploration in the New World.





Definition of a (pirate) ship's crew





Captain (ships commander; all oceans, all era's):

Captains traditionally have exercised almost unlimited authority over a ship at sea. During the late 18th century, British and Anglo-American pirates transferred some tasks of the captain to the quartermaster. Pirate captains generally retained unlimited power during battles, but they were subject to the quartermaster in many routine matters.



Quartermaster (pirate officer; about 1680-1725):

British and Anglo-American pirates delegated unusual amounts of authority to the quartermaster who became almost the captain's equal. Pirates disliked ridgid rules, and there were exceptional situations. The captain retained almost unlimited authority during battle, but he was subject to the quartermaster in many routine situations. In this way, as Walter Kennedy explained at his trial, pirate crew's avoided putting too much power in one persons hands. As with the captain, the quartermaster was elected by the crew and received and extra share when the booty was divided. If the pirates decide to keep a captured ship, the quartermaster often took over as captain. The quartermaster represented the "Interest of the Crew". Above all, he protected the seaman against each other by maintaining order, settling quarrels, and distributing food and other essentials. Serious crimes were tried by jury, but the quartermaster could punish minor offenses. Only the quartermaster could flog a seaman after a vote from the Crew. The quartermaster took part in all battles and often led attacks by boarding parties. If the pirates won, he decided what loot to take. He was compelled to seize gold, silver and jewels. But he took more bulky cargo at his discretion.


Boatswain:

like the quartermaster functioned as something of a foreman. He summoned the crew to work. His specific duties centered around the upkeep of the rigging. He had to be sure that all lines and cables were sound and that the sails and anchors were in good condition.


Gunner:

sometimes with the help of a boy or "powder monkey", tended the artillery and ammunition. The Gunner needed experience to avert or handle the potential disaster of a cannon bursting or overheating, or recoiling out of control. A knowledgeable Gunner was essential to the crew's safety if a ship had any pretense to self-defense.


Carpenter:

an important specialist in a wooden world, was responsible for the soundness of the ship. He repaired masts, yards, boats and machinery. He checked the hull regularly placing oakum between the seems of the planks, and used wooden plugs on leaks to keep the vessel tight. His was highly skilled work which he learned through apprenticeship. Often he had a mate whom he in turn trained.


The common sailor:

The backbone to the ship, needed to know the rigging and the sails. As well as how to steer the ship and applying it to the purposes of navigation. He needed to know how to read the skies, whether, winds and moods of his commanders. Other jobs on the ships were surgeon (for large vessels), cooks, cabin boys and navigators. There were many jobs divided up amongst the officers, sometimes one man would perform two functions. During this time in history if you were part of his majesty's navy you would be ruled with an iron fist on land and at sea was a bit worse. In the Royal Navy the Captain had complete authority to hang you if he so decided. One of the most alluring attractions to becoming a pirate was escaping dictatorship and embracing democracy. This was also the chance for the trampled poor man to make a name and fortune for himself. The pirates called themselves "The Brethren of the Coast".