Pirates

Pirates were sailors who attacked and robbed other ships at sea. They sailed during many periods of history, but the most famous era of piracy was the Golden Age, from about 1650 to 1730. During this time, thousands of pirates roamed the Caribbean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Indian Ocean looking for treasure.

Life on a Pirate Ship

Life aboard a pirate ship was surprisingly organized. Pirate crews voted on important decisions, including who would be their captain. Every crew member signed a set of written rules called "Articles" that spelled out how treasure would be shared and how the ship would be run. Pirates even created one of the earliest worker injury insurance plans, paying crew members who lost a limb in battle.

Famous Pirates

Some pirates became legends. Blackbeard, whose real name was Edward Teach, was one of the most feared pirates ever. He wove slow-burning fuses into his thick beard to make himself look terrifying in battle. Ching Shih was a Chinese pirate queen who commanded a massive fleet of over 1,800 ships and tens of thousands of pirates in the early 1800s. She was so powerful that the Chinese navy could not defeat her.

Pirate Myths and Facts

Many things people believe about pirates are not true. Pirates rarely made anyone walk the plank in real life. They actually flew red flags, not just black ones, to signal danger to other ships. Pirate treasure maps were almost entirely made up by novelists and storytellers. Pirates did wear earrings, but many believed the gold would improve their eyesight or pay for a proper burial if they washed ashore. Pirate ships often had musicians on board to boost the crew's morale during long voyages.

Fun Facts

  • Pirate ships were among the first democracies, with crews voting on every major decision.
  • Blackbeard wove lit fuses into his beard to look more frightening.
  • Pirates wore eye patches to help one eye stay adjusted to the dark below deck.

Did You Know?

Ching Shih is considered the most successful pirate in history. She eventually retired and lived peacefully, which was very rare for a pirate!