We’ve all seen shows and movies and read stories about pirates, right? But how much of it was fiction, and how much was actually true? In this article, we’ll uncover over 30 incredible, 100% true facts about pirates that might surprise you. From hidden treasures to strange habits, let’s dive into the real world of pirates and see just how much you know about them.
The Value of a Map
Pirates weren’t just after gold, silver, and other treasures like the books will have you believe — they also hunted valuable maps. In 1680, pirates stole what would forever be known as the most valuable pirate booty in the world, which contained important navigational maps, charts, and descriptions.
Pirate Bartholomew Sharpe created an English version of this Spanish atlas and gave it to the King of England as a gift. Little did he know that this gift may just have saved him from being executed. What a find!
Captured by Pirates
It seems that not even “famous” people were safe from pirates, with Julius Caesar once being captured by pirates. They asked for a ransom of two talents of silver, but Caesar just laughed and insisted they ask for 50 instead, saying he was worth much more. Of course, the pirates found this very amusing, and while waiting for the ransom, Caesar joked around with them.
He even told them that he would come back to punish them. The pirates thought he was joking, but after being freed, Caesar returned, captured the pirates, and had them all executed.
How to Become a Pirate Captain
Pirate captains weren’t just born into the job — they were elected or chosen by their crew. Pirates ultimately wanted someone brave and smart to lead them into battle. So, the crew would vote for the person they thought was the toughest and best at making these decisions.
But, if a captain wasn’t doing a good job, the crew could vote them out and replace them. Pirate captains had a tricky job keeping their crew safe and happy, or they would quickly find themselves back as a regular pirate again.
Pirates and Their Flags
Pirates used unique flags to scare off their enemies. These flags were designed to send a clear message to other ships — surrender or face a lot of trouble! Pirates chose symbols that looked fierce to strike fear in other ships and their crews.
Each pirate crew would have its own unique flag. Some added skeletons, swords, or even hourglasses to show that time was running out. The scarier the flag, the more likely ships would give up without a fight.
Hooks and Peg-Legs
Pirates in books and movies are famous for having hooks instead of hands and peg legs. But this happened in real life, too, and many pirates lost limbs in battles or accidents at sea. Instead of giving up, they used hooks or wooden legs to keep going.
Hooks helped pirates grab things and still be able to fight, while peg legs let them walk again after losing a leg. These two things quickly became a part of the pirate image, making them look even tougher and scarier.
Pirate Vs. Pirate
Pirates were incredibly competitive and wouldn’t fight each other — they sometimes teamed up. Many pirate ships formed alliances with each other and created fleets of ships to increase their chances of capturing valuable treasure. Working together made it easier to succeed and share their rewards.
By forming fleets, pirates became even more powerful. They could also share important resources and tips, which helped them improve their pirate skills, making them even better pirates than before. It just goes to show that a little teamwork goes a long way.
Who Doesn’t Love a Good Book?
Pirates didn’t just steal gold, treasures, and maps — they stole books too! Some pirates were literate, loved reading, and knew books could be valuable. They took books from the ships they stole, especially about navigation, maps, and other lands that could help them on their adventures.
Books gave pirates important information, making them smarter and better at sailing the seas. Some of them even collected rare books as treasures. So, while pirates were known for pilfering, they also had a soft spot for a good book.
Blackbeard’s Beard
The pirate Blackbeard was famous for being scary, and he had a clever little trick that made him even more so. He would tie hemp into his beard and light it on fire. The smoke made him look like a monster, scaring anyone who saw him.
Blackbeard would charge into battle with smoke billowing from his beard, making his enemies think twice about fighting him. We don’t blame them for running because we wouldn’t want to face a pirate with a beard on fire!
Pirates and Their Parrots
Did you know that pirates really did have parrots? These colorful and fun companions often accompanied pirates on their long sea journeys. They were easy to care for and could even learn to talk, entertaining the crew members while sailing the seas.
Parrots also came from tropical places like islands where pirates often traveled and were sometimes sold as valuable pets. Having parrots wasn’t just fun for the pirates — it could also be a way to make extra treasure and add to their loot.
Daddy the Pirate
Not all pirates were the scary loners you see on TV and in movies. Many of them were actually married family men who had children waiting for them back home. While they sailed the seas for treasure, they also cared for their families.
When pirates weren’t looting other ships, they spent time with their families, just like other dads. They might have been tough at sea but were just family men who wanted to provide for their wives and children at home.
Earrings — Not Just a Statement
Pirates didn’t just wear earrings for style — they believed they helped with seasickness. Some pirates thought that wearing gold or silver earrings pressed on special points in their ears helped them feel less sick on rough seas.
While it might sound strange to us today, pirates were always looking for ways to feel better or improve their sailing. Earrings were a simple trick that they used to try to keep their stomachs steady and settled during those long journeys.
Anyone for a Cup of Grog?
While books and movies will have you believe that pirates drank nothing but rum, they actually drank their own concoction, which they called “grog.” This drink was made from rum, water, sugar, and sometimes lime and was a favorite on those long journeys at sea.
The lime wasn’t just for taste, and it helped prevent scurvy — a sickness that pirates got from a lack of Vitamin C. Grog helped keep the pirates healthy, and, yes, it also made life a little more fun — especially during boring days at sea.
Pirates Vs. Privateers
Privateer pirates weren’t like regular pirates and were considered “legal” pirates. Their countries hired these pirates to attack enemy ships and steal their treasures. Instead of being punished, they got to keep some of the loot as a reward for helping during times of conflict.
The privateer pirates had permission — a letter of marque — that made their actions legal and official. Even though they acted like pirates, they worked for a country and didn’t have to worry about being hunted down by the law.
Were Pirates the “Good Guys”?
Pirates are known for causing trouble, right? Well, that’s not all they did; they actually helped local towns by spending their stolen treasure in shops, buying food, clothes, and other supplies they needed while at sea. This meant extra money and business for the towns they visited.
Pirate ships were often repaired in local ports, creating jobs for shipbuilders and other town workers. So, while they might have been pretty scary, they also helped boost the local economy wherever they went.
Pirate Uniforms
The pirates we see in movies, like Johnny Depp‘s Captain Jack Sparrow, don’t always match the real pirate fashion. Historian Daphne Palmer Geanacopolous says that Johnny was the only one who looked like his character in Pirates of the Caribbean.
Real pirates actually wore regular sea clothes. And only the captains, who were wealthy, would have worn fancier outfits like we see on TV. They didn’t have the flashy style that we think they did, and the movies add that extra flair.
The Biggest Loot of All Time
The biggest pirate treasure ever looted was worth a whopping $200 million. This huge haul happened in the early 18th century when pirates stole a huge amount of gold, silver, and other valuables like books and maps from other ships.
Captain Henry Avery and his crew were able to steal gold, silver, and ivory that would be worth an eye-watering $200 million today, making him one of the richest pirate captains of his time. It’s no wonder that pirate tales are filled with these big and exciting treasures.
Pirates Around the World
While certain movies will have you thinking otherwise, pirates were not just found in the Caribbean. They sailed all around the world, going from the warmer waters of the Mediterranean to the busier trade routes of Asia and other continents.
Simply put, pirates could be found wherever there was a treasure to be taken and other ships to attack. Pirates roamed the seas, chasing after riches in every ocean, and were even found along the coast of Africa. What a busy bunch!
Women Pirates
Not all pirates were men, and there were women pirates who were just as daring and skilled as the men. Anne Bonny is just one of the famous women pirates that we know about, and she was known for being tough and fearless while sailing the seas.
Some women even dressed as men to join pirate crews and became famous for their bravery, sailing the seas, fighting tough battles, and, like Anne, even leading their own ships. Good on them for making a name for themselves in a world dominated by men!
The Real Life of a Pirate
Pirates in movies and stories are often shown as exciting adventurers who lead thrilling lives. Thanks to children’s stories like Peter Pan and movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, pirates were often portrayed as brave heroes with amazing treasures and loot.
But, the real life of a pirate wasn’t always so glamorous. It was way more dangerous and tough than the swashbuckling scenes you see in these movies. While these stories make pirates look like legends, their real lives were pretty rough and challenging.
Hammock Life
Pirates slept on hammocks because they were perfect for ship life and could swing with the ship’s movements. This would stop the pirates from rolling around while the ship rocked and also save space on these crowded and sometimes messy ships.
Hammocks were quick to set up and take down, making it handy for pirates who moved around a lot. They also helped keep pirates off the wet and dirty ship floor, making it a bit easier and more comfortable to sleep despite the rough seas.
Mail Call!
Pirates had their own special mail system called the “pirate dispatch.” They would use this to send messages and orders to other ships or the shore. While it wasn’t like normal or modern mail systems, it helped pirates keep in touch.
This was not the only special plan that pirates had; they also devised their own “retirement plan.” If a pirate got injured during a plundering or decided to retire, they would receive a share of the treasure as a pension from the crew. Isn’t that nice?
Robin Hood of the Sea
Captain William Kidd was a pirate like no other and stole from rich ships to give some of the treasure to the poor. This made him famous as a pirate who helped those in need and earned him the name “Robin Hood of the Sea.”
Sure, he sailed the seas plundering ships and taking their treasures, but he had a soft spot for the less fortunate and helped those who could do with a share of his riches. Captain Kidd’s actions made him a kind of sea hero, just like Robin Hood.
Pirate Ship Fun
Pirate ships weren’t all about battles and treasures; they also had fun. Some pirate crews even had bands on board, with pirates playing music to entertain everyone. They’d have a great time dancing and singing, making life at sea more lively.
But music was not the only fun on board. Some pirates put on little shows or plays. Pirate theaters were a great way to enjoy entertainment and bond with the crew. While they were busy plundering, pirates also knew how to have a good time.
How to Deal With Troublesome Crew
Pirates had a fairly unique way of dealing with the more troublesome members on board pirate ships and would maroon them on deserted islands. If someone caused too much trouble, the crew would simply leave them behind on an island. However, they were left with a few supplies to help them survive.
This was a harsh but effective punishment, and it became a pirate’s way of dealing with crew members who caused trouble on board. It kept the crew in line and ensured everyone followed the rules.
Pirates and Their Eye Patches
Many of us grew up thinking that eye patches were just a part of a pirate’s uniform. But, they were not just for style and had a practical purpose. Eye patches were worn to help pirates see in the dark! We bet you didn’t know that!
Pirates would switch the patch to their one eye when going below deck so that one eye was already adjusted to the dark. What a clever trick for better sight in the ship’s more dimly lit parts, right?
Respected Pirates
Not all pirates were the villains we see in the movies, and some pirates were respected community members. They often helped local towns by spending their treasures and repairing their ships, which created jobs for the locals.
In some real-life cases, pirates lived pretty normal lives when they weren’t at sea. Despite their careers as pirates, they were a part of their communities and good neighbors and contributed some of their treasure to their towns.
The Legacy of Ching Shih
Ching Shih is one of the more well-known female pirates with an amazing fleet of around 300 ships. She was a powerful pirate and leader who ruled the South China Sea in the 19th century.
Shih’s fleet was so extensive and well-organized that no other pirates wanted to mess with her. But, like other pirates, Ching was a skilled commander who knew just how to keep her many ships and crew in tip-top shape.
A Pirate’s Menu
Pirates didn’t have gourmet menus or meals and often ate basic and bland food. They ate a lot of hardtack, a biscuit-type food that lasted long. Pirates also ate salted meat and fish. To add a bit of variety to their diets, pirates would also eat fresh fruit and vegetables when they stopped at ports.
But this was not always available, and the crew would get scurvy. As for the rum — this kept the pirates warm and boosted their spirits a little on those long journeys at sea.
A Pirate’s Treasure
Movies and books raised us to believe that pirates buried their treasures. But they actually didn’t. Instead of hiding their loot on some island, they spent it on supplies or used it to repair their ships when they reached a port.
Buried treasure is more fiction than fact, and pirates knew that using their loot on their everyday needs was far smarter than hiding it away for someone else to find. We guess we can’t always believe what we see on TV and that hidden treasure maps are just a fantasy. Sigh.
Captain Blackbeard Controls His Crew
Pirate Captain Blackbeard was known for his ruthless ways. He was also known to shoot his crew members if they disobeyed him, ensuring everyone stayed in line.
Blackbeard’s methods were brutal, but they were his way of ensuring that his crew knew that crossing him could be deadly. The crew, in turn, followed his orders closely to avoid his dangerous wrath. This is just another reason why he became such a notorious pirate.
The Golden Age of Piracy
The Golden Age of Piracy was an incredibly exciting and action-packed time from the late 1600s to the early 1700s. During this time, pirates were famous for their daring sea adventures, hunting for treasure and causing chaos with their bold moves.
Pirates sailed the Caribbean and other seas during the Golden Age, capturing ships and finding tons of gold and other treasures. This is where most pirate stories come from, which is why they are still popular today.
Pirate Life: A Civilized Affair
Life on a pirate ship was more organized and civilized than what you would see in movies and on television. Pirates had rules and routines to ensure that things ran smoothly, and they worked together, cleaned their ships, and even had regular meal times, unlike the chaos shown in the movies.
Movies often make pirate ships look like lawless and messy places, but the reality is far different. Pirates lead a more structured life, and from chores and schedules to a high degree of order, captains and their crews ensured their ships always stayed in top shape.
Modern Day Pirates
Did you know that pirates still exist? Modern pirates in places like Somalia, Indonesia, and Nigeria are still very active but are far different from the ones we know from television, books, and movies. These pirates attack commercial ships and ask for huge ransoms.
Modern-day pirates use fast boats and sometimes weapons to capture vessels. They are incredibly dangerous and create a lot of trouble for shipping and trade in these areas. Their methods are far more serious than the pirates we know from the stories.
The Adventures of Mary Read
Pirate Mary Read is another famous female pirate who is worth mentioning. She sailed alongside her partner, Anne Bonny, and was known for her fearless battles and clever tricks, which made her a true pirate legend who is still talked about today.
Mary was a woman pirate who disguised herself as a man to join a pirate crew, which was unusual for women in the 18th century. She proved that women could be just as bold and brave as men and would use clever tactics to outsmart their enemies.
