Black Bart's
The Pirate Life fer Me
The Pirate Life fer Me
Section Shortcut:
[Pirate Crewe]
[Pirate Tables]
So, ye be thinking you know all about pirates, eh? Well old Black Bart can help ye in that respect. On these said pages we will be discussing all things piratical. After all,
as the old song says, “ Yo-Ho, Yo-Ho, a pirate’s life fer me!” So, let’s get started!
There are many a perk or two for a sailor to turn pirate. The first, of course, is the LOOT. There be lots of merchant vessels out there crammed with riches just
fer the takin.
Another advantage is the freedom. Freedom from the cruel rule of a captain in the
Royal Navy. As a pirate you’ll be treated fairly if ye don’t get caught. Aye, that’s the rub. A pirate’s life doesn’t last long. The danger of sea battles, starvation, diseases and the authorities to cope with, makes fer a very short, if merry, life. Not to mention drowning and bloodthirsty rivals can cut ye to the quick as well! If ye be so inclined,
ye can read about some of Black Bart's pirate rivals at the Infamous Pirates page.
The word “pirate” describes any person who seeks plunder on the high seas, illegally attacking shipping of any nationality. Pretty impressive, eh? There are Privateers, who are licensed pirates. They have a “letter of marquee” which allows them to attack the ships of a national enemy during wartime. Buccaneers are mostly English pirates who attacked the Spanish ships in the Caribbean and the Corsair pirates who attacked shipping in the Mediterranean.
The Pirate Crewe
A typical pirate crewe of the 17th and 18th centuries were drawn from a range of backgrounds, nationalities and races. Most pirates were experienced sailors and were members of the crewes of captured vessels, persuaded to switch over to the dark side,
as it were.Since pirate ships offered more freedom and the lure of untold riches, many
a seaman did not hesitate to switch allegiances over to the pirate way of life.
A pirate ship pretty much ran like any other law-abiding seafarer’s ship would. The similarities between pirates and sailors are quite a lot, really. The structure of the ship, meaning the roles of the superiors, is pretty much the same. With pirates, you had a more democratic society on board, whilst the normal law-abiding sailors where met with the harsh English law aboard ship. The common sailor would get a moistest pay at best, while the lowest pirate would get a pretty good share of any treasure taken. Some of the ranking among pirates on board ship is as follows:
The Ship’s Captain:
Most Captains didn't command by an iron fist, they commanded because of skill, daring, and the ability to win prize and booty. In some cases a sailor became Captain through a vote. If the Captain fell in disfavor, t he crew could maroon their captain, or throw him overboard, or they would just let him off at the nearest port.
The First Mate:
The First Mate is next in command just below the Captain of the ship and takes over in the event if the Captain is killed or can no longer perform his duties properly.
The Boatswain:
The Boatswain was the man that kept the ship afloat. He was in charge of a ship's anchors, cordage, deck crew , the colors, and the rigging while the ship was in dock.
He was also consider third in command aboard ship.
On some pirate ships, the First Mate or Boatswain often acted as Quartermaster as well if the ship was low on skilled sailors. That is, they had the power to distribute rations, powder, work, booty, and punishment.
The Gunner:
Gunners were skilled pirates who aimed and fired the guns on ship. It took years of practice to become a master gunner.
The Powder Monkey:
A “Powder Monkey” was a British naval term used to describe the young boys who made up the gun crews aboard ship. Many powder monkeys were pressed into service,
by press gangs, and forced to serve aboard ship. The average age of the powder monkeys were no more than ten to thirteen years old. They mainly assisted the gun crews and were often treated poorly, and were expendable. Due to their harsh life, powder monkeys were quick to sign articles and desert ship in favor of joining a pirate crewe.
Black Bart's Pirate Tables
Ahoy Mates! Look ye below to find old Black Bart’s Pirate Table. That’s right, mates…it be a table of all things piratical! Shiver me timbers! The things I do fer ye. Arrgh!
Ye landlubbers will find all sorts of good piratey things to help ye learn how to go
“on the account”, as it were. Ye will find pirate links, lists, pictures, phrases, bits of useful pirate knowledge and of course information on how to make Black Bart’s favorite drink, GROG! If ye make a batch, be sure to toast old Black Bart,
me hearties!
So, what ye be waitin’ fer, Bucko? Use those deadlights of yers and take a gander
at said pirate table below!- Savvy?
So, ye be thinking you know all about pirates, eh? Well old Black Bart can help ye in that respect. On these said pages we will be discussing all things piratical. After all,
as the old song says, “ Yo-Ho, Yo-Ho, a pirate’s life fer me!” So, let’s get started!
There are many a perk or two for a sailor to turn pirate. The first, of course, is the LOOT. There be lots of merchant vessels out there crammed with riches just
fer the takin.
Another advantage is the freedom. Freedom from the cruel rule of a captain in the
Royal Navy. As a pirate you’ll be treated fairly if ye don’t get caught. Aye, that’s the rub. A pirate’s life doesn’t last long. The danger of sea battles, starvation, diseases and the authorities to cope with, makes fer a very short, if merry, life. Not to mention drowning and bloodthirsty rivals can cut ye to the quick as well! If ye be so inclined,
ye can read about some of Black Bart's pirate rivals at the Infamous Pirates page.
The word “pirate” describes any person who seeks plunder on the high seas, illegally attacking shipping of any nationality. Pretty impressive, eh? There are Privateers, who are licensed pirates. They have a “letter of marquee” which allows them to attack the ships of a national enemy during wartime. Buccaneers are mostly English pirates who attacked the Spanish ships in the Caribbean and the Corsair pirates who attacked shipping in the Mediterranean.
The Pirate Crewe
A typical pirate crewe of the 17th and 18th centuries were drawn from a range of backgrounds, nationalities and races. Most pirates were experienced sailors and were members of the crewes of captured vessels, persuaded to switch over to the dark side,
as it were.Since pirate ships offered more freedom and the lure of untold riches, many
a seaman did not hesitate to switch allegiances over to the pirate way of life.
A pirate ship pretty much ran like any other law-abiding seafarer’s ship would. The similarities between pirates and sailors are quite a lot, really. The structure of the ship, meaning the roles of the superiors, is pretty much the same. With pirates, you had a more democratic society on board, whilst the normal law-abiding sailors where met with the harsh English law aboard ship. The common sailor would get a moistest pay at best, while the lowest pirate would get a pretty good share of any treasure taken. Some of the ranking among pirates on board ship is as follows:
The Ship’s Captain:
Most Captains didn't command by an iron fist, they commanded because of skill, daring, and the ability to win prize and booty. In some cases a sailor became Captain through a vote. If the Captain fell in disfavor, t he crew could maroon their captain, or throw him overboard, or they would just let him off at the nearest port.
The First Mate:
The First Mate is next in command just below the Captain of the ship and takes over in the event if the Captain is killed or can no longer perform his duties properly.
The Boatswain:
The Boatswain was the man that kept the ship afloat. He was in charge of a ship's anchors, cordage, deck crew , the colors, and the rigging while the ship was in dock.
He was also consider third in command aboard ship.
On some pirate ships, the First Mate or Boatswain often acted as Quartermaster as well if the ship was low on skilled sailors. That is, they had the power to distribute rations, powder, work, booty, and punishment.
The Gunner:
Gunners were skilled pirates who aimed and fired the guns on ship. It took years of practice to become a master gunner.
The Powder Monkey:
A “Powder Monkey” was a British naval term used to describe the young boys who made up the gun crews aboard ship. Many powder monkeys were pressed into service,
by press gangs, and forced to serve aboard ship. The average age of the powder monkeys were no more than ten to thirteen years old. They mainly assisted the gun crews and were often treated poorly, and were expendable. Due to their harsh life, powder monkeys were quick to sign articles and desert ship in favor of joining a pirate crewe.
Black Bart's Pirate Tables
Ahoy Mates! Look ye below to find old Black Bart’s Pirate Table. That’s right, mates…it be a table of all things piratical! Shiver me timbers! The things I do fer ye. Arrgh!
Ye landlubbers will find all sorts of good piratey things to help ye learn how to go
“on the account”, as it were. Ye will find pirate links, lists, pictures, phrases, bits of useful pirate knowledge and of course information on how to make Black Bart’s favorite drink, GROG! If ye make a batch, be sure to toast old Black Bart,
me hearties!
So, what ye be waitin’ fer, Bucko? Use those deadlights of yers and take a gander
at said pirate table below!- Savvy?
| Pirates and thar Ships
Ship: Queen Anne’s Revenge Ship: Delight Pirate: Francis Spriggs
Ship: Bewildered Barnacle |
Pirate Black Bart |
 |
| Yo, Ho, Ho... Let us PARTY, me Hearties! |
||
|---|---|---|
| Pirate Grog Recipe
Add approximately one ounce of fine rum to tin or mug of water. Black Bart’s favorite recipe 1 (oz) of Rum The juice of half a lime One or two teaspoons of cane sugar And fill the rest of your tin or mug with water. |
A samplin’ of The Pirate Articles 1. Every man has a vote in affairs of moment. 2. No person to game at cards or dice for money on board ship. |
3. To keep their pistols and cutlass clean and fit for service. 4. To desert the ship in battle, is punished with death. 5. No striking one another on board, every man's quarrels to be ended on shore. |
 |
Coins used by Pirates | A Common Pirate Flag |
| 1 guinea = 21 shillings 1 shilling = 12 pennies 1 doubloon = 16 pieces of eight 1 piece of eight = 1 peso |
 |
|
| The 3 Privateers Comedy Troupe |
“Them’s that die’ll be the lucky ones!” |
Now that ye know a bit about pirates from said table above, cast yer deadlights on the table below. Here ye be findin' the lighter side of piracy. That be right, mates - Pirate Jokes! Every one loves to tell pirate jokes, and here are some of the best, (or worst, as it were). Thar be also an explanation or two about pirate games that ye can play at yer next party. Enjoy, me hearties!
| Pirate Jokes!
| Yo, Ho, Ho... Let us PARTY, me Hearties! |
|---|
| How does a pirate get his mast up? | He uses a wench! |
| What do you call a stupid pirate? | The pillage idiot! |
| What kind of ships do pirates have trouble with? | Relationships! |
| What is a pirate's favourite type of music? |
Arr and B! |
| Whats a pirate's favorite part of a birthday party? |
Da-Balloons! |
| What do you get when you cross a pirate with a zucchini? |
A Squashbuckler! |
| What kind of grades did the pirate get in school? |
HIGH SEAS! |
| What's a horny pirate's worst nightmare? |
A sunken chest with no booty! |
| Yo, Ho, Ho... Let us PARTY, me Hearties! |
Pirate Games!
|
|---|
| Walk the Plank | Create a plank out of a 2" x 4" wooden board.
Place it on the carpet or ground and have the children take turns walking across the board. See who can do the funniest jump off the plank to win a prize. |
| Treasure Toss | Decorate a cardboard box to resemble a wooden chest or use a real chest. Leave the top open during game play. Have the children stand across the room and take turns tossing bean bags into the box. The child that lands the most bean bags in the treasure chest wins. |
| Pass the Cannonball | A fun pirate party game! Children tuck in the cannonball (a painted Styrofoam ball) under their chin and shoulder, race to their teammate, and pass the cannonball to them without using their hands. If the ball is dropped, it can be put back into place using hands. |
Check out me other pages
Home Port /
Infamous Pirates /
Pirate Food and Drink /
Pirate Glossary /
Pirate Picture Gallery /
Black Bart for Hire
for more piratical fun.
