The ship sails billowing in the distance spread panic across the seas. The skull-and-crossbones flags were enough to strike terror in the bravest of hearts. As the ships drew nearer, so did images of flashing swords, plunder and bloodshed. The ships that pirates used were stolen or obtained in a mutiny. Some were even acquired from privateers as these ships were fast and specially designed for the purpose of pursuit. A pirate could command several ships, the most famous multi-ship pirate being Bartholomew Roberts, who owned six ships through his colorful career. A pirate ship was an interesting place to be in. It was a place where they lived, and it was always battle-ready! Though the crew lived together, there were special cabins for the captain and the quartermaster. The ship also had a storeroom where the booty was kept. It carried plenty of weapons and it was oh, so fast! Though some pirates used large ships, many preferred the faster sloops, brigantines and schooners. Schooners were two-masted ships with narrow hulls and large spread of sail that made them fast, sometimes going over 11 knots. The brigantine had a foremast, usually with square-rigged sails. The main masts with a fore-and-aft and square-rigged topsail could move in any wind condition. It was about 80 feet long, 150 tons and could carry up to 100 men and 12 guns. The sloops were small, single-masted craft with an enormous sail spread which made them fast and agile. In the Caribbean, sloops were popular for their speed and ability to enter shallow waters, where larger battleships could not chase them. These vessels were also easy to remove barnacles from and were easy to keep in fighting fit shape. Warships, battleships and frigates became popular because of their weapon-carrying ability. |
