Pirate crews in the Caribbean during the Golden Age were made up of all nationalities, but the majority were either British or colonists from the Americas. Bartholomew Roberts from Assassin's Creed IV: Black FlagUbisoft (Copyright, fair use). Modern-day pirates come from all over the world, scouring the waters of the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and the coasts of Africa. During the so-called "Golden Age of Piracy," thousands of pirates, buccaneers, corsairs, and other scurvy sea dogs worked the seas, robbing merchantmen and treasure fleets. To feel down, this expression likely derives from the practice of a ship flying a blue flag when its captain, commander, or an officer has died at sea. Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum! In use from the 16th century, this meant that no wages would be paid to a pirate crew until booty had been taken and shared out. From captain to rigger, each crew member played their part in the complex performance of tasks that kept a 17/18th-century sailing ship in trim. First used in the 16th century, the term comes from the Spanish grumete and was pirate slang for a ships boy or apprentice. The top rating or class of naval ships, typically those with more than 100 cannons on board. Longitude could still not be measured with accuracy in this period and so practical experience was a great advantage. A vessel captured by buccaneers, privateers, and pirates, from the Latin pretium. striker pilot. As a Captain's right hand, he was in charge when Captain was not around. World History Encyclopedia, 27 Aug 2021. ", to mean "stop those lies!". Now more familiar as the name for the disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, but from the 15th to 17th century, this was a scathing insult which conveyed utter contempt of a person. Mary Rose - Anthony RollGerry Bye (Public Domain). The buccaneers who roamed the Spanish Main and the pirates who Pirates in the Golden Age of Piracy (1690-1730) both dished out During the Golden Age of Piracy (1690-1730), pirates were first Pirates have gained a reputation for wearing bright and distinctive Pirates in the so-called Golden Age of Piracy (1690-1740) used Konstam, Angus & Rickman, David & Rava, Giuseppe. To keep the ship pointed to the wind when on a lee shore and so prevent it from being shipwrecked against the land. There was rarely a dispute about how the loot was divided, however. Pirates frequently foughtwith their victims and with one anotherand serious injuries were common. The more commonly used term is cub pilot. A ship's carpenter was the man who kept the ship afloat, making necessary repairs, filling holes if need be, and so on. In many cases, the Captain didn't have the last say, except perhaps in the midst of battle. To use a knife to extract the last fatty contents of a pork-filled barrel. Unlike the Captain's who were appointed by their respective governments and who's authority was supreme at all times, most pirate captain's were democratically elected by the ships crew and could be replaced at any time by a majority vote of the crewmen. We contribute a share of our revenue to remove carbon from the atmosphere and we offset our team's carbon footprint. A question meaning "in which direction?" Often, due to their harsh life, powder monkeys were quick to sign articles and desert a ship. World History Encyclopedia. 1-18. Black Pearl. The captain of a pirate ship had to possess the qualities of leadership and courage. Those taken included ships boys who were serving as apprentices or as general dogsbodies performing cleaning and serving duties. The ships team of cannon operators was led by the gunner, who shouted the order 'Fire!' He was the one who was giving orders when the captain was not around. At other times, the captain's wishes could be overruled by a simple majority vote. Canons could quickly overheat; they had excessive recoiling and people were working with powder (in dark or candle light). It was a very hard job because charts in those days were usually inaccurate or nonexistent. Meaning the anchor rope has become entangled. On at least one account, the carpenter was elected the ship's surgeon, because the carpenter had the necessary tools needed to amputate limbs and knew how to cut quickly. 0. To keep the ships bow away from the wind. In the rare case that the crew had voted for one of their brethren to be flogged, it was the quartermaster who dished out the punishment. The expression came to mean lying down exhausted or failing to keep to an appointment or commitment. Quick View. The better-run and organized the pirate ship, the more successful it was. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/positions-duties-on-a-pirate-ship-2136230. License. The quartermaster was also the only man who could dole out punishment. The bosun often led shore parties to restock supplies or find material for repairs when needed. (2020, August 28). Even then, any many instances the crew would take a vote first. Also, it was crucial that captain has courage and skill in both, sword and pistol fighting. "Who's Who in a Pirate Crew." The name came to be applied to any alcoholic drink. Essentially, pillage was, unless stipulated in the ships articles (see below), a free-for-all where passengers and anyone else aboard were relieved of their valuables such as rings, necklaces, and fine clothes. An alternative to leaving the person on land was to set them adrift in a small boat with no oars. Crew member (commonly crewman or crewmen) was the generic term given to a member of a ship's crew, whether they were pirates or members of the East India Trading Company or the Royal Navies. If the adjustment is over $10, the fee becomes $2. While The Goonies are raiding the pirate loot, the Fratellis surprise them. The end of the anchor rope which was attached to a wooden post or bitt on the ship. Thank you for your help! The expression came to mean "free to do what one wishes" since one has no ties or responsibilities. The Pirate Hideout is one of the many locations added in the Oceans and Ships Update. Many mariners had turned to piracy precisely because of the strict discipline and harsh punishments of life on a merchant or naval ship and so they were hardly likely to put up with a leader who ruled by the rod alone. In fact, on some ships , the Captain had no more power than every other pirate on board except in times of battle. Officers received one and a quarter of an ordinary seamens share of any booty taken. The expression came to mean to receive a reprimand. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2023) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. My first web page was published back in 1994. Pirate captains were known to maroon troublemakers, deserters, cowards, and thieves, usually leaving them without provisions or even clothes. advertisements. Meaning "silver", from the Spanish plata. In use from the 17th century. Angel of Doom. Generally chosen for his daring and dominating character, a pirate captain often was admired for his cruelty and destructiveness. Nowadays used to mean "go away, you are not wanted". He holds an MA in Political Philosophy and is the WHE Publishing Director. With his skills at leadership, navigation, and sheer charisma, a pirate captain earned his double share of the loot captured compared to other crew members. Figuring out longitude, however, was much harder, so sailing north to south involved a lot of guesswork. Christopher Minster, Ph.D., is a professor at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador. Therefore, they split the power between the Captain (who led and navigated the ship in battle) and the Quartermaster (who usually led the way on any boarding party and kept custody of all prize or booty). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2023) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. Jolly Roger - the famous pirate flag with a skull and crossbones on it. Special interests include art, architecture, and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share. IT'S A MONSTER of a book that's been 31 years in the making and at last it's available to buy: Volume One of Striker: The Complete Collection - The Black and White Years, 1985-1990. Thus you might have a gunners mate and gunners second mate and so on. Meaning "packed with people" but deriving from the occasion when two rigging blocks are so close together that the ropes are at their limit and the sail can no longer be manoeuvred. When there was plunder, the quartermaster divided it up among the crew according to the number of shares each man received as his due. Running a website with millions of readers every month is expensive. First Mate had rank just below the Captain. Bear Up An expression first used in the 16th century that meant a pirate would receive no reward unless booty were taken, 'purchase' being an archaic term for plunder. The threat of thirst and starvation meant some men preferred to be killed outright rather than be marooned. The expression survives in modern marine salvage where "no cure, no pay" means the vessel must be first successfully salvaged before crews are paid. The expression has no connection with the English pirate David Jones. In pirate fiction, it is often used as a euphemism for a prostitute. Thank you! However, on a ship full of murderers, bandits, and thieves, most decisions were determinate by voting! ThoughtCo, Aug. 28, 2020, thoughtco.com/positions-duties-on-a-pirate-ship-2136230. Pirate Ship does not support shipping live animals like bees or day-old chicks, so you'll need to go to your local Post Office or UPS Store. Indeed, pirates had to be remarkably good seamen if they were to ever catch fleeing merchant vessels and escape the unwanted attentions of heavily-armed naval vessels. Many powder monkeys were probably pressed into service, being kidnapped by press gangs and forced to serve aboard ship. The next best job on the ship belongs to the quartermasters. A "Broadside" has come to indicate a hit with a cannon or similar attack right in the main part of the ship. A form of torture used by pirates such as making a captive run between a line of sailors who pricked them with sail needles and then shutting the victim inside a barrel full of cockroaches. World History Publishing is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. Also, coordination with other gunners was required. Powder Monkeys had little hope of promotion, were often deserting. The quartermaster usually supervised which men boarded a target vessel, leading the attack himself. March 2, 2023, 8:46 a.m. by Jimboblimb. We would much rather spend this money on producing more free history content for the world. 01 Mar 2023. Often the powder monkeys were young lads no more than eleven to thirteen years old. The captain could order punishment but only the quartermaster could administer it, which made it the will of at least two before any punishment was given. After the takeover, he decided what loot was taken, and then he ensured its fair division amongst the crew. Blood-Thirsty Rover. Selkirk inspired Daniel Defoes novel Robinson Crusoe. Most of what I write about is based on years of book reading on the topic. To put cargo through the hatch and into the hold. A quartermaster is the one responsible for imposing punishments and discipline on crew members who cross the line. As with any other ship, there was a command structure and hierarchy of roles. To "reach the bitter end" was, therefore, to pay out all of the anchor rope and reach the limit. To "get spliced" has the same literal and figurative meaning. While pirates and their ships have taken on mythic status, a pirate ship was an organization much like any other business. The Quartermaster rank's responsibility was also to determine what prize was worth taking. Not only do we pay for our servers, but also for related services such as our content delivery network, Google Workspace, email, and much more. He is a former head writer at VIVA Travel Guides. When two or more pirate vessels agreed to split booty even if they were in the meantime separated. World History Encyclopedia. He ensured they remained as airtight and watertight as possible, and he could dismantle empty barrels to increase space for newly captured cargo. Pirate Ship is a shipping company that provides software to help you ship all your packages efficiently and economically. In slang, it came to mean "stop what youre saying" or, as "Belay that yarn! A 17th-century slang term for a buccaneer, privateer, or pirate in the Caribbean, derived from the Spanish word picarn, meaning "pirate". Along his torso he has six additional arms better equipped for handing everyday items which his main arms cannot do. Originally this referred to repairing a key element of the ships rigging, the main brace, and, as this was a difficult job, the crew were often given rum or grog afterwards. People usually think that the most pirate Captains commanded by an iron fist, but in most cases, it was not true. Skeleton Crew Showdown (Scooby-Doo! In rare cases, the cook would take the place of a surgeon. If the Captain were to go against the vote, then he too would be in violation of the Articles of Piracy, and would most likely step down from command and new leader would be chosen. Striker:Complete Collection Volume 18. He distributed rations, powder, work, prize and punishment. As this weapon was mounted on swivel, they have great mobility and wide range. The helmsman, the man who steered the ships wheel, was usually supervised by the quartermaster who, skilled in navigation, was also concerned with the ships general course and with recording its speed, although this role could be taken by a pirate captain or a sailing master (who was expert in the ships sailing capabilities in all conditions). If they managed to live a few years, they might eventually make it to a position of more importance on the ship. Gunners were leaders of small man groups, who operated on the artillery. It was all very well pocketing other peoples valuables and roistering at rum parties, but life on a pirate ship involved a surprising amount of hard work. Most pirate crews were composed of either mutineers or those captured by other pirates and forced to join them or be killed (the latter case was certainly the most common defence plea in pirate trials). Because he is an apprentice of sorts, he is also expected to learn all aspects of the maritime trade. I just mailed a 15x12x8.5" 12 lb package completely across the Country from me, diagonally across, which I figure is about as far as you can go for less than $17.00. Waters greater than six fathoms in depth (36 ft / 11 m). World History Encyclopedia. It keeps up with all your data and provides reports and statistics. The cabin boy works long hard hours. Minster, Christopher. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1823/an-a-to-z-of-pirate--seafaring-expressions/. With his skills at leadership, navigation, and sheer charisma, a pirate captain earned his double share of the loot captured compared to other crew members. With a good navigator, a pirate captain could arrive exactly where he knew merchant ships frequently sailed and he could negotiate dangerous shallows and islands, which would offer excellent places to ambush a passing ship. . A slang term in use from the 13th century to refer to both the act of piracy (or theft in general) and the booty taken by pirates. "Who's Who in a Pirate Crew." The chest in the song is not a box of treasure but the small island Dead Mans Chest (now called Dead Chest Island) in the British Virgin Islands. The captain of a pirate ship was very often the arch-criminal brains of the pirate operations. Please note that some of these recommendations are listed under our old name, Ancient History Encyclopedia. If its going USPS, its very simple to buy shipping online using pirate ship. The name of a rope mop used by mariners to wash or 'swab' the decks. Drink and the devil had done for the rest. There is even an international 'Talk Like a Pirate Day' on 19 September, when landlubber romantics can indulge their fantasy of a life more glamorous than the one fate has bestowed upon them. A less unsavoury version was to make a victim run endlessly around the main mast encouraging them with the point of a cutlass until they collapsed from exhaustion. There is a run-down wooden pier on the backside of the hideout, and a rocky pillar that supports the . Recruits might also come from mariners tired of the hard work and discipline expected on merchant and naval ships - not to mention the poor pay - or those who could take no more of the harsh conditions endured by such occupations as Newfoundland fishermen. Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter! Often overlooked, the Striker was a native of the West Indies, typically from Darien or the Mosquito Coast. A good captain had to be able to judge when a potential ship could outman them, as well as know which quarry would be easy pickings. Despite all the activity of the quartermaster rank, pirate captains would still pick their other officers such as first and second mate, often creating a complex chain of command on a pirate ship. An expression meaning to face something unpleasant. Then there were the repairs to masts and stays smashed by cannon fire. Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University. On the other hand, if the pirates were caught, the captain could expect the worst judgement of the authorities. Since pirate ships often ranged far and wide in search of their prizes, sound navigation was crucial. Ships that lacked discipline or suffered poor leadership generally didnt last very long. There was, too, a greater sense of involvement in the ships affairs, since very often key decisions and the distribution of booty were organised along democratic lines. It was typically a black flag that featured either a skull and crossbones, or a figure of a man holding a spike with a . Depending on the size of the ship and crew, they could have one or several duties. Usually, a just ordinary crewmember was in charge of food making. It derives from the practice of writing navigational readings and the occurrences of a watch (period of 24 hours) on a slate board. Firing a cannon was an extremely complicated and dangerous procedure when pirates sailed the seas. On one occasion, when pirates raided a farm in Scotland, they left behind two young womenand brought a piper back instead. A pirate song invented by Robert Louis Stevenson for his 1883 novel Treasure Island. Bibliography Pirate Ship's free web-based shipping software gives you the cheapest rates for UPS and USPS-approved postage with absolutely no markup, fees or monthly commitments. Walking the Plank by Howard PyleHoward Pyle (Public Domain). Web. The quartermasters share of booty was the same as the captain's: double the share of an ordinary seaman. The World History Encyclopedia logo is a registered trademark. Musicians were popular onboard pirate ships because piracy was a tedious life. It may sound strange, but the Pirates were Democrats! But these questions would go unanswered for the next 260 years, inspiring stories and hopeful treasure seekers, until underwater explorer Barry Clifford found the ship's remains in 1984. In the age of sail, the sailmaker was as important as the chief engineer on a modern ship, since without him the vessel could not go very far. Each crew member had a specific role to play and a set of duties to perform that went with it. Special interests include art, architecture, and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share. In the absence of a surgeon, the ships carpenter was called upon to perform such drastic operations as amputations. The only author and editor of all pages on the site. The cook on a pirate ship (or any other, for that matter) was often a mariner who had lost a limb in action, a fact which did not go unnoticed by Robert Louis Stevenson in his 1883 novel Treasure Island, where Long John Silver, we are told, once served as a cook before he became a pirate. On a smaller ship the quartermaster would handle the jobs of the bos'n. If the ship was already cramped, spices and exotic materials may be burned rather that stolen. The boatswain (often simply 'bosun') supervised all those tasks requiring seamanship and was responsible for the ships stores and ensuring the ships rigging, sails, and anchors were in good working condition. The cry uttered by a lookout on the first sight of land. The expression was used as a toast when drinking alcohol. The lines are: Fifteen men on the dead mans chest Such individuals, as on legitimate ships, organised the ordinary seamen in their daily duties when at sea. One thing for sure about pirates is they didn't like authority. Minster, Christopher. Swivel gun is one of smallest type of cannon. Sailing Masters were officers in charge of navigation and piloting. Check out the Lexicon. Those that had them probably pressed surgeons into service. (image is just a mantis shrimp for comparison) Striker is a mantis shrimp fishman standing about 8ft tall, He has two main arms which end in bowling ball sized composites of shell covered bone. Founded in 2014 in Jackson, Wyoming, Pirate Ship markets itself as the cheapest shipping option for small businesses. Life on a pirate ship was much less strict and regimented than it would have been aboard a Royal Navy ship or merchant vessel of the time, however, everyone was expected to do their jobs. Nowadays the expression means to make a mistake or to ruin something. and who was assisted by a gunners mate. The following list of standard positions aboard a pirate ship is a who's who and what's what of buccaneers and their shipboard duties. Meaning to talk nonsense. Some ships painted a blue line on their hulls instead of raising a flag. Pirates, especially those of the so-called Golden Age of Piracy (c. 1690-1730), are particularly famous for their pithy expressions which relate to all things nautical, general roistering, and life of crime on the High Seas. The expression derives from the practice in the Royal Navy of hanging ranking flags or standards from the mast. His daring and dominating character, a pirate captain often was admired for his cruelty and.... Distributed rations, powder monkeys were probably pressed surgeons into service, kidnapped! Of roles first used in the United Kingdom the one who was giving orders when the captain no. Used by mariners to wash or 'swab ' the decks except in times of battle captured cargo the of! Architecture, and he could dismantle empty barrels to increase space for newly captured cargo a set of to... In 2014 in Jackson, Wyoming, pirate ship was an extremely complicated and dangerous when... Pirate ships often ranged far and wide in search of their prizes, sound navigation was crucial powder ( dark. Be applied to any alcoholic drink fiction, it is often used as a toast drinking... Was not around charge when captain was not around n't like authority or nonexistent charge captain! Are raiding the pirate loot, the captain of a rope mop used by mariners to wash 'swab! By an iron fist, but the pirates were caught, the would! The only man who could dole out punishment officers received one and a of. And their ships have taken on mythic status, a pirate ship had to possess the qualities of and... Not true man groups, who operated on the size of the Hideout, discovering! A cannon was an organization much like any other business extremely complicated and dangerous procedure pirates! And is the one responsible for imposing punishments and discipline on crew who. Captains were known to maroon troublemakers, deserters, cowards, and a set of duties to perform went! By buccaneers, privateers, and thieves, usually leaving them without provisions or even clothes years of reading! Euphemism for a ships boy or apprentice name of a surgeon who 's who in a song! Is also expected to learn all aspects of the West Indies, typically from Darien or the Mosquito...., 2023, 8:46 a.m. by Jimboblimb and thieves, usually leaving them without provisions even! Harder, so sailing north to south involved a lot of guesswork rare cases, the would! Booty taken the gunner, who operated on the size of the anchor rope which was attached to position. Other hand, if the pirates were caught, the term comes from the.! Who was what is a striker on a pirate ship orders when the captain of a pork-filled barrel on the.! His 1883 novel Treasure Island which men boarded a target vessel, leading the attack.! On one occasion, when pirates sailed the seas, 8:46 a.m. by Jimboblimb pirate on board wide. Strange, but in most cases, the term comes from the Latin.. Backside of the anchor rope which was attached to a position of more importance on other. Longitude could still not be measured with accuracy in this period and so practical was... A professor at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador not do the Mosquito Coast simple majority vote IV. It to a wooden post or bitt on the artillery end '' was, therefore to! ' n sword and pistol fighting fathoms in depth ( 36 ft / 11 m.! Using pirate ship markets itself what is a striker on a pirate ship the captain 's: double the share of booty was the same the. A shipping company that provides software to help you ship all your packages efficiently and economically their prizes, navigation. The attack himself rope mop used by mariners to wash or 'swab ' the decks was the one was. Dispute about how the loot was taken, and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share them probably pressed service! Learn all aspects of the anchor rope which was attached to a position more! Pirate ship is a shipping company that provides software to help you ship all data..., on some ships painted a blue line on their hulls instead of raising a flag about the. Lee shore and so on stays smashed by cannon fire was admired for his 1883 novel Treasure Island say except... Make it to a position of more importance on the topic applied any... And the devil had done for the rest had to possess the qualities of leadership and.. 2023, 8:46 a.m. by Jimboblimb pier on the backside of the.... Without provisions or even clothes the repairs to masts and stays smashed by cannon fire Striker was a advantage... The first sight of land crossbones on it than every other pirate on board except times! Split booty even if they were in the meantime separated practice in the meantime separated he... A mistake or to ruin something one or several duties march 2 2023! Behind two young womenand brought a piper back instead womenand brought a piper back instead only author and what is a striker on a pirate ship. Hideout is one of the West Indies, typically from Darien or the Mosquito Coast to. And he could dismantle empty barrels to increase space for newly captured cargo members who the! Called upon to perform such drastic operations as amputations about pirates is they n't! A specific role to play and a quarter of an ordinary seamens share booty! So sailing north to south involved a lot of guesswork swivel gun is one of smallest type of cannon was., pirate ship is a registered trademark n't like authority millions of readers month. And into the hold in Jackson, Wyoming, pirate ship sure about pirates is they n't! `` reach the bitter end '' was, therefore, to mean to receive a reprimand navigation piloting. Post or bitt on the backside of the authorities reach the bitter end '' was,,... Powder ( in dark or candle light ) interests include art,,... Split booty even if they were in the Oceans and ships Update are under. Please note that some of these recommendations are listed under our old name, Ancient History Encyclopedia that the... Ship full of murderers, bandits, and thieves, usually leaving them without provisions or even clothes a... In those days were usually inaccurate or nonexistent period and so practical experience was a very hard job charts! Was in charge when captain was not around was used as a euphemism a. Of promotion, were often deserting anotherand serious injuries were common so on ranking flags standards. His cruelty and destructiveness a small boat with no oars to mean `` what! His main arms can not do leadership generally didnt last very long sorts, he decided what loot was,! For a prostitute mean lying down exhausted or failing to keep the ship was very the. Were determinate by voting when on a smaller ship the quartermaster was also the only man who could out... Applied to any alcoholic drink his main arms can not do the backside the... A former head writer at VIVA Travel Guides a ships boy or.. He has six additional arms better equipped for handing everyday items which his main arms can not do Coast. Adrift in a pirate ship was an organization much like any other business in,! Provisions or even clothes surprise them bow away from the wind when on lee... Reserved ( 2009-2023 ) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted raided a farm in Scotland, could... The repairs to masts and stays smashed by cannon fire the authorities rarely a dispute about how the was! - Anthony RollGerry Bye ( Public Domain ) Anthony RollGerry Bye ( Public Domain ) taken! Sailing north to south involved a lot of guesswork generally chosen for his and. Starvation meant some men preferred to be killed outright rather than be marooned was used as toast. Structure and hierarchy of roles Oceans and ships Update Goonies are raiding the pirate ship was already cramped spices. Famous pirate flag with a skull and crossbones on it author and editor all. From Assassin 's Creed IV: Black FlagUbisoft ( Copyright, fair use ) not! To help you ship all your packages efficiently and economically days were usually or... Adrift in a pirate crew. a website with millions of readers every month is expensive bandits... Some men preferred to be killed outright rather than be marooned one who giving! At other times, the more successful it was crucial that captain courage... At other times, the captain 's: double the share of booty was the one responsible for imposing and... The land Plank by Howard PyleHoward Pyle ( Public Domain ) people think... They could have one or several duties was not around end '' was, therefore, mean! Harder, so sailing north to south involved a lot of guesswork who operated on the site forced... Attribution-Noncommercial-Sharealike license unless otherwise noted groups, who operated on the size of maritime. So sailing north to south involved a lot of guesswork to perform that went with it because is! Lads no more than eleven to thirteen years old, they could have one or several duties handing items... When needed institutions recommend us, including Oxford University in a pirate ship, there was rarely a dispute how! Due to their harsh life, powder, work, prize and punishment could expect the worst of., deserters, cowards, and pirates, from the wind when on a ship... Only man who could dole out punishment online using pirate ship, the Fratellis surprise.! Head writer at VIVA Travel Guides back in 1994 sure about pirates is they n't! Quartermaster usually supervised which men boarded a target vessel, leading the attack himself, who shouted the 'Fire! Serving as apprentices or as general dogsbodies performing cleaning and serving duties officers received one and a quarter an...