Blog Post #2 Myth Busters 

Many people have garnered an odd view of what and how pirates would have behaved and acted in certain situations. Largely thanks to the existence of stories surrounding the topic such as “Treasure Island” and the plays on the larger than life pirate captains such as “Black Beard” and “Captain Kidd”. While many children these days get their view of them off “The Pirates of The Caribbean” which had some truths surrounding the showboating Captain Jack Sparrow who paid his respects to the hanged pirates all while his ship began to sink.

The Topic of The Golden Age of Piracy has interested many people thanks in part to much of the info being both limited and just as evasive and unknown as the pirates who lived during the time. A major reason for the lack of information is that the large portion of pirates are illiterate and as such lacked the ability to write or draw maps despite what “Treasure Island” portrayed. While many were not able to write a good portion knew how to negotiate and get on the good side of bureaucrats. “Parrots were particularly popular because they were colorful, they could be taught to speak and they were easier to look after on-board ship” unlike the other animals of the tropic (Page 358 Under the Black Flag). Making them the perfect gift in addition to being the preferred means of bribery among seamen and pirates alike.

 Although there should be a distinction between seamen and pirates, as time went on the vast majority of pirates were in fact made up of former seamen who chose piracy as it was far more profitable or were captured than chose to join. The percent of pirates of Anglo-America during 1720's showed that at-least 98% were former seamen, served in privateers, Navy or was in merchant service. (pg 378 Under the Black Flag)

Cordingly, David. “Under the Black Flag: the Romance and the Reality of Life among the Pirates.” Amazon, Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2006, www.amazon.com/Under-Black-Flag-Romance-Reality/dp/081297722X.