~Beyond the Border~ > Daiyousei's Cold Storage
Ye Don't Know Shit About Pirates
Pako:
--- Quote from: Angel Milk on September 19, 2009, 07:24:35 AM ---Pirate Kanye West
--- End quote ---
Don't talk about crybabies like 'im, he should be keelhauled by his own crew.
Hello Purvis:
BELAY THIS CHATTER! Tis time fer th' men t' speak.
As Spain was makin' their fortune by legitimate means (that is, bloody conquest), many o' th' early pirates were French and English in nationality; wit' a nice smattering of Dutch fer good measure. There were Spanish pirates as well, but they were not as common due to making money off th' conquests, and because many pirates chose not t' prey upon their own nations. In time, France and England started to draw profit from their colonies, and more Spanish pirates entered into th' game. As far as the English pirates went, a disproportionate number o' 'em were Scottish and Welsh in origin; that is, poorer regions o' England. Not so sure if that held true among th' other nations, but I'd wager it so.
As pirates were in th' game for money, many were the time they would ignore th' laws o' conduct on th' sea. Pirates would often keep a variety of flags on hand, whatever they needed to get close t' their prey. Other times, they would take more elaborate measures; there are stories o' 'em having some o' th' lads wearin' dresses an' carryin' parasols t' make the prize ship thin' they were just carryin' colonists.
Pirates tended toward smaller, faster ships. Their goal twas t' get to th' prize as fast as possible, dodge th' cannons, an' board it. Cannons were used, at most t' soften th' prize up. Boardin' was the goal, not sinkin'. To assist in this, pirate ships tended toward large crews; more hands for fightin'. As such, ship life on a pirate vessle twas particularly cramped. Particularly effective or charismatic captains could well attract a small fleet o' ships; as well pirates would sometimes band t'gether t' hit a particularly rich prize.
Once a ship was taken, everything of value was up fer grabs. Cargo, personal possesions, food, drink, ye name it. As for the fate of th' crew, really it came down to th' individual captains an' what happened. Ideally, th' pirates want th' prize t' surrender wit'out a fight. Life's just easier that way. Smart pirates tried to be merciful toward prizes that surrendered; it encouraged future prizes who heard their name to surrender. As well, prizes that resisted were often brutalized; but a wise captain would leave enough behind to tell the tale of what happens when ye try an' fight back. Some captains were more inclined toward brutality, some toward civility. Other times, th' crew just did what they wanted; after months on th' sea there's a likely a lot of pent up anger and frustration to be taken out on th' prize. That is doubly so if th' pirates nation weren't on good terms wit' th' prize's nation. But overall, th' pirates preferred to have an easier time wit' more surrenders than fights.
Pako:
Ay, This got me to think, 'ow about we join forces companion Purvis, I will betray the VOC and we can go together after big ships.
Tengukami:
Oh gawd, not you, too, Purvis. Don't tell me you've also fallen for this asanine "yarr matey i be a pirate" nonsense.
Hello Purvis:
To that I say drown yerself in a chamberpot. Pirates are an important part o' history an' th' development of Western Civilization in North America, an' only a fool would say anythin' to th' contrary!