Myths & Facts of Pirates

Myths & Facts of Pirates On your own paper, write if you think the following statements are true or falsePirates had a sort of government on their ships that was an early form of democracyTurtle was considered a delicacy by pirates Pirates preferred large ships because there was more room for treasureSome pirates kept pets such as monkeys or parrotsSome forms of piracy were actually legalPirates had their victims walk the plankPirates buried their treasureThere were no such things as female pirates There is still piracy today1. Pirates had a sort of government on their ships that was an early form of democracyTrue!Captain John Phillips's articles-1724Every Man Shall obey civil Command; the Captain shall have one full Share and a half of all Prizes; the Master, Carpenter, Boatswain and Gunner shall have one Share and quarter. If any Man shall offer to run away, or keep any Secret from the Company, he shall be marooned with one Bottle of Powder, one Bottle of Water, one small Arm, and Shot. If any Man shall steal any Thing in the Company, or game, to the Value of a Piece of Eight, he shall be marooned or shot. If any time we shall meet another Marooner that Man shall sign his Articles without the Consent of our Company, shall suffer such Punishment as the Captain and Company shall think fit. That Man that shall strike another whilst these Articles are in force, shall receive Mosess Law (that is, 40 Stripes lacking one) on the bare Back.That Man that shall snap his Arms, or smoke Tobacco in the Hold, without a Cap to his Pipe, or carry a Candle lighted without a [Lantern], shall suffer the same Punishment as in the former Article. That Man shall not keep his Arms clean, fit for an Engagement, or neglect his Business, shall be cut off from his Share, and suffer such other Punishment as the Captain and the Company shall think fit. If any Man shall lose a Joint in time of an Engagement, shall have 400 Pieces of Eight; if a Limb, 800.If at any time you meet with a prudent Woman, that Man that offers to meddle with her, without her Consent, shall suffer present Death. 2. Turtle was considered a delicacy by pirates

True!These turtles are extremely good to eatthe flesh is very sweet and the fat green and delicious. This fat is so penetrating that when you have eaten nothing by turtle flesh for 3 or 4 weeks, you shirt becomes so greasy from sweat you can squeeze the oil out and your limbs are weighed down with it. ~Alexander Exquemelin ..with as much gusto as if leather were meatthey even fought over itthey beat the leather between 2 stones at the waters edge, made it wet, and scraped off the hair while it was soft. Then, having roasted it on hot embers, they cut it up in small pieces which they swallowed whole. ~A. ExquemelinHard Tack Recipe 4 cups flour4 teaspoons salt Water (about 2 cups)

3. Pirates preferred large ships because there was more room for treasure

False!

Sloop

Blackbeards Queen Annes RevengeDuties of a Sailor:Climb up & down the riggingRaise and lower the anchorAct as lookoutRecognize all national flagsMan the oars of the jolly boatOperate the wheel or tillerKeep weapons clean Act as gunnerTake part in hand to hand battleGo ashore in search of provisionsAssist in careening the shipWeapons

Blunderbuss

Cutlass

Grenade

Cannon4. Some pirates kept pets such as monkeys or parrots

True!We think.There are wood-fowl, parrots and wild pigeons, crab- eaters, herons, ravens and West Indian turkeys. There are flamingos, fishers, frigate-birds and noddies, snipe, duck, geese, teal, humming-birds and many others whose names are unknown to meParrots are found in great numbers around the fields...~Alexander Exquemelin

5. Some forms of piracy were actually legalTrue!Privateers

6. Pirates had their victims walk the plankFalse!

It is a princely scheme, cried Hook, and at once it took practical shape in his brain. We will seize the children and carry them to the boat: the boys we will make walk the plank, and Wendy shall be our mother. ~Peter Pan, J.M. BarrieHis stories were what frightened people worst of all. Dreadful stories they wereabout hanging, and walking the plank, and storms at sea, and the Dry Tortugas, and wild deed and places on the Spanish Main. ~Treasure Island Robert Louis Stevenson

7. Pirates buried their treasureFalse!

8. There were no such things as female pirates False!

Anne Bonny & Mary Read Grace OMalley

Madam Ching

9. There is still piracy todayTrue!