Running away to sea was a risky business in the golden age of pirates from the 15th to the 17th century. Joining a pirate ship had increased risks, although perhaps greater economic rewards and freedoms for the common man. However, most pirate ships ran pretty much like legitimate naval ships with similar roles and duties. Take a look at the most common pirate ship jobs below:
Captain
Every ship, even a pirate ship, needs a captain. But contrary to popular belief, pirate captains did not have absolute authority over the running of the ship, except in battle. Being a more democratic (albeit motley) crew, pirates elected their captains; therefore, if a captain did not pull his weight or was negligent, he could find himself deposed, at best, or marooned with a pistol, at worst.
Quartermaster
Second in command after the pirate captain was the quartermaster. He would deal with all the punishments and discipline, protected the pirates from each other. The quartermaster would settle disputes and act as a representative for the pirates when presenting their wishes to the captain. It would also be the quartermaster who would be trusted to sail any ship that was captured by the pirates in battle.
Sailingmaster
An important and necessary pirate ship job was the sailing master. This officer’s duties included navigating and sailing the pirate ship. He would be skilled in map reading and charting the course of the pirate ship, which was pretty hard in those days when maps were incomplete and often erroneous. As being a sailing master was a highly skilled profession, usually this job was filled by a hostage from a captured vessel.
Boatswain
The boatswain was another important pirate ship job. He was responsible for the running of the ship, making sure all the supplies were in order as well as the general maintenance of the pirate ship.
Surgeon/Carpenter
It seems odd today, to think that the surgeon and the carpenter on board a pirate ship were often the same person! In general the ship’s surgeon was unskilled in medicine but good at sawing, which made him ideal for amputations! Not one of the most desirable pirate ship jobs!
Master Gunner
As the name suggests, this pirate ship job was related to guns and ammunition. The Master gunner would look after the gunpowder and cannons etc, and would be particularly active during battle although his duties including maintaining the weapons during peacetime.
Mates
The mates aboard a pirate ship were apprentices to the quartermaster, boatswain and carpenter. They would often be responsible for the making sure that the ropes, sails and pulleys were correctly secured etc and were also responsible for the anchor. As there were more than one mate on aboard both pirate and legitimate ships, the term “first mate” and so on, was coined.
Able-bodied Sailors (ABS)
ABSs made up the majority of the crew, and were semi-skilled following the instructions of the boatswain and mates. Nevertheless, they need to know about navigation, the weather and steering.
Cabin Boy
These were young boys who acted like servants and were among the lowest ranks, not without chance for promotion.
I'm well-versed in the operations of pirate ships during the 15th to the 17th centuries. The structure, roles, and nuances of these vessels during the golden age of piracy have been extensively documented. The credibility of these accounts is often sourced from historical records, including ship logs, personal journals, and even court proceedings of captured pirates.
Let's delve into the concepts related to the roles on a pirate ship:
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Captain: Contrary to common perception, pirate captains didn't hold absolute power. Their authority was largely limited to times of battle. The democratic nature of pirate crews saw captains elected, with the possibility of being deposed if they didn't meet expectations.
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Quartermaster: Second in command, responsible for discipline, settling disputes, and acting as a liaison between the crew and the captain. They often navigated captured ships.
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Sailingmaster: Highly skilled in navigation and responsible for charting courses. Often a captive skilled in this expertise.
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Boatswain: Oversaw ship maintenance, ensuring supplies were in order, and managing general ship operations.
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Surgeon/Carpenter: Interestingly, the ship's surgeon and carpenter were often the same person. While not necessarily skilled in medicine, they were proficient in performing amputations and other practical, often crude, medical procedures.
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Master Gunner: Managed weapons, gunpowder, and cannons, particularly active during battles but also maintained the armaments during peacetime.
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Mates: Apprentices to various key roles on the ship like the quartermaster, boatswain, and carpenter. They handled tasks related to securing ropes, sails, pulleys, and were responsible for the anchor.
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Able-bodied Sailors (ABS): Semi-skilled crew members who followed instructions from higher-ranking officers. They needed knowledge of navigation, weather, and steering.
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Cabin Boy: Occupying the lowest rank, cabin boys were young servants on board with potential for advancement.
The dynamics of pirate crews, the fluidity of roles, and the unique challenges they faced during this era offer a captivating glimpse into maritime history.
