Pirate Ship

Pirate Ship



The pirate ship performed several roles. The crew had to be fed and kept in readiness. It was also the store room for plunder. As pirate crews were usually larger than those on merchant vessels, space was often at a premium. The ship also provided the means to attack, so it had to be well armed. It was also the sole means of escape, so speed was vital. Or as Daniel Defoe wrote in his General History, it acted "as a light pair of heels being of great use either to take, or to escape being taken." It is difficult to find contemporary illustrations of pirate ships. Pirates altered captured vessels to suit their particular needs, so it is sensible to examine the types of ships they acquired. Traditionally a 'ship refers' to a vessel with three masts and a full suite of square-rigged sails. Very few pirate vessels were 'ships' in the truest sense.

[Original Article]

Black Pearl

The Black Pearl, originally HMS Wicked Wench in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. The Black Pearl is easily recognised by her distinctive black hull and sails. This turns out to be an advantage in more than one way. Not only do the black sails act as a sort of intimidation tactic, but the Pearl's crew can put out the deck lamps for added stealth at night. The ship was originally named Wicked WenchThe Black Pearl. She is said to be, "nigh uncatchable". Indeed, in the two films she either overtakes or flees all other ships, including the Interceptor (regarded as the fastest ship in the Caribbean) and the Flying Dutchman (which is actually faster against the wind). Her speed is derived from the large amount of sails she carries (provided she sails with the wind), in addition to oars called "sweeps." Disney wanted to rename the Wicked Wench on the ride to Black Pearl but were denied licensing rights. before she was ordered burned and sunk by Lord Cutler Beckett. It was later raised from the sea floor by Davy Jones after making a pact with Jack Sparrow who rechristened her

[Original Article]

Caribbean In the 17th century, Piracy

Caribbean In the 17th century, Piracy






In the 17th century, piracy in the Caribbean Sea was quite common. Roving gangs of bandit sailors took over ships, then attacked ships and towns to seize precious booty ranging from gold and jewels to kegs of whiskey. At one point, there were so many pirates, that an entire town became their home and base of operations. That town was known as Port Royal: The Pirate Capital of the World.

The mainland varies in character by region with each region having its own appearance and feel. New Andalisia (modern Venezeuela) has rocky and sandy beaches, with the sands quickly giving way to verdant vegetation. Within a mile from shore, the vegetation becomes dense jungle, at least in uninhabited regions. The settlers slashed or burned the area around the village for agriculture.

New Granada is mountainous in the south, with the isthmus of Panama being a 50 mile wide mire from Pacific to Atlantic. The jungle vegetation in both New Andalusia and New Granada is insect-infested and Malaria is common.

New Spain ranges from forested mountains in the south to deserts in the north. The central region is mountainous and rocky, with lands being cleared or terraced for farmland.

Larger Islands are much like the mainland, with sandy beaches, dense forest or jungle, and a mountainous interior. Some islands have active volcanoes, with a constant plume of smoke rising from their cones.

Small islands are formed from volcanic action or reefs. Small, circular islands formed by reefs are called atolls and have low vegetation on the outer edge and a body of salt water in the center. Small islands formed by reefs and tidal action have little in the way of large vegetation and frequently are not fertile enough for sustaining crops. These islands are hard to spot from a distance unless they are sizeable or in shallow water, such as the Bahamas. Therse small, low islands are referred to as cays.

Small volcanic islands are dominated by the peak (or peaks) of the volcano. These islands have steep slopes and fertile ground.