Although a pirate’s life is filled with danger and adventure, it also has structure. Since the dawn of sailing, pirates have existed in the maritime world. The roles and responsibilities of a pirate in a pirate crew are just as varied as they are interesting, and they have a long and colourful history.
Let’s take a top-to-bottom look at how these historical misfits behaved and the many roles they each performed on board their warships.
1. Captain
On the surface, a pirate captain appeared to be the head of a pirate crew and was in charge of organizing and supervising the crew’s operations, including raids and attacks on other ships, ship navigation, and supervision of crew activities.
Contrary to popular belief, however, pirate captains weren’t autocratic in their management and leadership. Although the captain was, in fact, the leader of any given pirate crew, the reality is that on the majority of pirate ships, the captain had little to no control over the crew members’ day-to-day behaviour.
The pirates were a special group with equal rights and tasks delegated only based on each individual’s aptitude.
Pirate captains often commanded respect rather than fright. The team looked for a capable candidate to take command. The captain also needed to be courageous and skilled with a sword and a handgun.
Although the captain had the authority to discipline disobedient crew members, it was not his alone. The pirate council, which consisted of every man on the ship, had to vote by a show of hands to determine the outcome.
Only in times of conflict did the captain have complete authority over the crew. In these situations, they had complete authority to punish those who disobeyed commands or defied the law. This included directing the execution of or ordering the flogging of, crew members.
Pirate captains often commanded respect rather than fright. The team looked for a capable candidate to take command. The captain also needed to be courageous and skilled with a sword and a handgun.
Although the captain had the authority to discipline disobedient crew members, it was not his alone. The pirate council, which consisted of every man on the ship, had to vote by a show of hands to determine the outcome.
Only in times of conflict did the captain have complete authority over the crew. In these situations, they had complete authority to punish those who disobeyed commands or defied the law. This included directing the execution of or ordering the flogging of, crew members.
2. Quartermaster
The ship captain was above the quartermaster in the chain of command. However, any pirate crew would not be complete without a quartermaster. He was the actual and symbolic right-hand man of the captain.
Any pirate could not be a quartermaster. Strong organizational and leadership skills were required for the post. Like a captain, a quartermaster could only be chosen by a majority of the electorate.
However, a quartermaster’s main responsibility on board the ship was to supervise the “efficient conduct of daily operations.” The quartermaster delegated work to the crew and arbitrated arguments among them.
They were also in charge of preserving a positive rapport between the crew and the captain and ensuring that the captain’s instructions were carried out. The quartermaster could discipline a crewman who defied orders.
The quartermaster had first dibs on plunder and most other delights available, second only to the ship captain. In contrast to the traditional Navy, where the second-in-command is ordinarily far less powerful, this was not the case with pirates. The quartermaster and the captain effectively shared authority, with the latter taking precedence over the former in specific circumstances.
The Quartermaster also had a loose obligation to keep an eye out for mutiny or rebellious behaviour because he was the captain’s, right-hand man.
The Quartermaster also made sure that the ship was properly stocked and provisioned. This entailed making sure the crew had access to enough food, water, and other supplies, as well as that the ship was properly maintained and outfitted to handle any situation.
3. Sailing master
The management, sailing, and overall navigation of a ship were under the purview of the sailing master. The majority of navigation during the height of piracy was based on conjecture.
Accurate identification and longitude calculation remained a challenge even after the development of the naval clock in the second half of the 18th century.
In addition to having top-notch first-hand knowledge of the locations of the major ocean currents, the Sailing Master also possessed exceptional astronomy expertise. He might use the stars as a compass to determine the precise latitude and move to his desired position.
A Pirate Sailing Master had a position of tremendous significance and was highly respected by all pirate crew members.
The sailing master was responsible for directing the sailing and general navigation of a ship. During the peak of piracy, the majority of navigation relied heavily on speculation.
Even after the naval clock was invented in the second half of the 18th century, accurate identification and longitude calculation remained problems.
The Sailing Master was an adept astronomer and held first-rate first-hand knowledge of the locations of the principal ocean currents. He might proceed to his chosen location by using the stars as a compass to calculate the precise latitude.
All pirate crew members held the position of Sailing Master in high regard and understood its great significance.
The sailing master was in charge of overseeing and teaching the crewmen who were in charge of manning the sails. This included assigning these troops to rotations and tasks that would keep them on task even under trying circumstances like battle and hazardous weather.
Being a sailing master involved controlling a riotous crew of robbers, murderers, and criminals, which was an explosive and thankless profession. And as you can anticipate, a challenging one as well. Although having the technical qualification was sufficient, it would undoubtedly be advantageous to occasionally look murderous.
4. Master Boatswain
The most seasoned seaman aboard a pirate ship was often the Master Boatswain.
The holder’s responsibility for maintaining the ship’s condition frequently called for the highest level of skill. He addressed the captain and the quartermaster in person.
In addition to directing the work of the deckhands and maintaining the ship’s rigging, sails, and other equipment, the boatswain was also responsible for loading and unloading cargo.
The boatswain was also in charge of the crew’s safety, making sure that the ship was in good condition and that all safety precautions, no matter how little, were followed. This involved performing routine maintenance and repairs as well as inspecting the ship’s hull, rigging, and sails.
The boatswain assumed de facto command of the ship in tumultuous conditions because they are frequently composed, level-headed, and in command of the circumstance. The boatswain was expected to take command and direct the crew in protecting the ship in the event of external attacks.
The boatswain was essential to the pirate culture on board any particular pirate ship because he was one of the most seasoned pirates on board. He was in charge of indoctrinating each member of the crew in addition to helping train the younger crew members in the art of piracy.
5. Powder Monkey
A youthful crewman known as a “powder monkey” was in charge of moving gunpowder from the ship’s storage section to the cannons during battle. They were typically adolescents between the ages of 11 and 14. Typically, their small size, agility, and lack of fear led to their selection.
The powder monkey’s main responsibility was to transfer gunpowder from the ship’s magazine to the guns during combat. During this procedure, they had to exercise caution because any spark or flame could set the powder on fire and result in an explosion.
These young boys had to race across the deck during battle while dressed in non-flammable gear and exercising extraordinary caution.
Powder monkeys were in charge of carrying the powder and helping to get the cannons ready for the fight. They would assist in cleaning the cannons, loading the cannonballs, and checking the aim of the cannons.
Additionally, they would aid in keeping the gunpowder dry and secure, as even a small amount of moisture could render it useless.
Powder monkeys were occasionally expected to assist with activities around the ship in addition to their responsibilities in combat. This can entail assisting with food preparation, water hauling, and deck cleaning. They were occasionally utilized as watchmen, particularly in riskier places.
Although the powder monkey’s job was dangerous and frequently fleeting, they were crucial to pirate warfare. They were essential to the pirate’s military triumph.
Unfortunately, they were frequently mistreated, underpaid, and disposable, despite how important they were to the pirate way of life. Since they had few opportunities for advancement, Powder Monkeys naturally frequently deserted.
6. Gunner
The function of a Gunner in a pirate crew was essential. A successful Gunner was frequently a highly talented and informed individual with a thorough understanding of their weapons and the ability to use them effectively in battle, despite their reputed frightening presence.
The small-man squads in charge of running the cannons were known as gunners. They often handled the less sensitive part of the operation—the aiming—while delegating the more delicate part to their soldiers.
The safe and effective operation of the ship’s weapons was Gunner’s main duty. The ship’s cannons, muskets, and other weapons were maintained and loaded with the proper ammunition by the gunners.
Years of instruction would be necessary to become a skilled gunner. This is because each gunfight gave them only limited experience. After all, pirates favoured torpedoing other ships rather than destroying them.
With the assistance of approximately a dozen men, they had to properly shoot, reset, swab, and load one cannon. Cooperation with other gunners was essential for the difficult-to-complete assignment.
Pirates manning the gun must also be able to recognize and fix any problems with the weapons and frequently maintain and clean them.
They were responsible for training the rest of the crew to operate the weapons in addition to their duties as weapon techs. They had to give lessons on how to reload and maintain the weapons as well as demonstrate the necessary firing procedures and safety practices.
To prevent confusion and careless fire, the most experienced gunner was typically assigned the role of Master Gunner. He was the one giving commands when the captain wasn’t present.
When all was said and done, a pirate crew wasn’t as straightforward as is frequently portrayed in popular culture.
While there are some historically accurate descriptions of the lifestyle of the pirates, we also know that they were a complex and fascinating group, with each member having their duties and responsibilities. Together, they were a powerful team that could create amazing experiences on their seafaring journey.
