Welcome to Pirate 101A, my place to teach you about the history, traditions, language, diet and just about everything you can think of in regards to Pirates.
This Column simultaneously runs on 5 different sites, and as such this is not the first in the series. (Contact me if you wish to see earlier editions.)
History - In the mid 1700's Captain William Death, a British privateer met his end when his ship, the "Terrible", was engaged by a French vessel, the "Vengeance". Death and all of his officers & 150 crew were lost in the battle. (Sometimes a ship's name turns out to be appropriate.)
Pirate Bio - David Williams- A british pirate in the late 1600's, Williams had very bad luck. He lost his ship while in Madagascar and was made a servant by a local prince, then was traded to another prince, and to yet another before he finally escaped and joined a pirate crew. Unpopular among pirates, he moved from crew to crew, until back on shore in Madagascar, he was captured, tortured, and killed by Arabs.
Ship Fact - The term "Careening" refers to the process where a wooden ship is taken to a shallow area, the masts pulled to the ground, and the ship placed on its side so that it can be repaired and cleaned of seaweed & barnacles that make it awkward to steer. This had to be done every two to three months, and was the most dangerous time for a pirate crew as they were extremely vulnerable to attack.
Term of the week - "before the mast" - of or relating to common crew or "hands" as opposed to officers or persons of authority within a company. This usage reflects that common crew sleep and work (in forecastle and waist) towards the front of the vessel (and are accordingly known as "focslehands" or "me before the mast" or "men forward"), while officers sleep in cabins and generally work (on poop deck or quarterdeck) closer to the rear of the vessel.
Word of the week - drub - to beat or thrash with a stick or other hard, long object; cudgel.
Drink of the week - "Bitterwine" - Alcoholic beverage consisting of a mixture including beer, liquor, and raw eggs (no wonder pirates were always grumpy! Have you ever eaten a raw egg? Try it everyday. LOL!)
(starting a new subject this month: Torture/Punishment in this category Pirates were genuinely original in the things they could do to others to punish, extract information, etc.) (*note: if ye find it too much, write me and I will discontinue this section, I will start with a light one, if ye can't handle it you won't be able to handle the rest).
Punishment/torture of the week: - Burst guts with water - there are several torture methods featuring the forced consumption of massive amounts of water, all ending with the painful rupture of the victim's stomach. They include, for example pouring water down the victims throat while holding his nostrils so he has to swallow. Pouring water down a funnel shoved down the victim's throat.
History - In the mid 1700's Captain William Death, a British privateer met his end when his ship, the "Terrible", was engaged by a French vessel, the "Vengeance". Death and all of his officers & 150 crew were lost in the battle. (Sometimes a ship's name turns out to be appropriate.)
Pirate Bio - David Williams- A british pirate in the late 1600's, Williams had very bad luck. He lost his ship while in Madagascar and was made a servant by a local prince, then was traded to another prince, and to yet another before he finally escaped and joined a pirate crew. Unpopular among pirates, he moved from crew to crew, until back on shore in Madagascar, he was captured, tortured, and killed by Arabs.
Ship Fact - The term "Careening" refers to the process where a wooden ship is taken to a shallow area, the masts pulled to the ground, and the ship placed on its side so that it can be repaired and cleaned of seaweed & barnacles that make it awkward to steer. This had to be done every two to three months, and was the most dangerous time for a pirate crew as they were extremely vulnerable to attack.
Term of the week - "before the mast" - of or relating to common crew or "hands" as opposed to officers or persons of authority within a company. This usage reflects that common crew sleep and work (in forecastle and waist) towards the front of the vessel (and are accordingly known as "focslehands" or "me before the mast" or "men forward"), while officers sleep in cabins and generally work (on poop deck or quarterdeck) closer to the rear of the vessel.
Word of the week - drub - to beat or thrash with a stick or other hard, long object; cudgel.
Drink of the week - "Bitterwine" - Alcoholic beverage consisting of a mixture including beer, liquor, and raw eggs (no wonder pirates were always grumpy! Have you ever eaten a raw egg? Try it everyday. LOL!)
(starting a new subject this month: Torture/Punishment in this category Pirates were genuinely original in the things they could do to others to punish, extract information, etc.) (*note: if ye find it too much, write me and I will discontinue this section, I will start with a light one, if ye can't handle it you won't be able to handle the rest).
Punishment/torture of the week: - Burst guts with water - there are several torture methods featuring the forced consumption of massive amounts of water, all ending with the painful rupture of the victim's stomach. They include, for example pouring water down the victims throat while holding his nostrils so he has to swallow. Pouring water down a funnel shoved down the victim's throat.
