Pirate Ship Traditional Cache

Pirate ships could be almost any floating thing for pirates in the 17th and 18th centuries, but the most desirable pirate ships were swift, well-armed, and nimble enough to evade counterattack.

With the exception of certain ports in New England, there was no place to see a "pirate ship" already built and waiting for your custom Jolly Roger flag. Although some were previously paid for or later paid off, the best pirate ships were the ones most easily available.

This usually meant stealing a ship or boat and customizing it: removing forecastles, upper structures, and cabins for extra speed, stripping interior bulk heads for more crew space and guns, Space was hard to come by on a pirate ship, because so many more men were needed both to fight with superior forces and to sail any vessel taken in battle.

A ship could start off in great condition, but regular maintenance was vital to keep it shape. In some remote cove or river inlet, the vessel would be run aground in a way that would leave the hull exposed at low tide, prepared for careening. After pulling the ship over for optimum exposure to the cleaning routine, it was scraped clean of all barnacles, weeds, mold, and any other extras which increased drag. Any planks were replaced which were too damaged from teredo worms, rot, battle wounds, or age, and the renewed hull was then coated with a layer of sulfur, tar, and tallow to help slow down any sea beasties which would destroy the ship.

Authorites would often wait to strike until the pirates were more vulnerable during the ship's careening, when their ship was out of water and their pants were around their knees.
Common Pirate Ships

Sloops- The favorite little wonder boat of Caribbean and Atlantic pirates in the late 1600's was first produced in large numbers by master builders in Jamaica, and her single-mast configuration was later changed by Bermudans in the 1700's. Although usually rigged for a larger fore-and-aft mainsail, it could easily be altered for various sail combinations. The huge bowsprit also added more canvas area for more maneuverability.
Thirty to sixty feet long with a top speed of over 10 knots, a crew of 20 to 70 men could easily work this father of the modern sailing yacht for lightning-swift attacks, avoiding broadsides, and outrunning pursuit. In spite of weighing as much as 100 tons and having perhaps 15 cannons, its draft was amazingly shallow at eight feet. This allowed it to find safety in shallower waters far beyond any warship's range. A shallow draft was also was the reason that those entrusted to pursue pirate ships often favored the sloop to get access to their hiding spots. (more info)

Schooners- The two-masted schooner was another favorite of the Caribbean and Atlantic pirates. With many of the same features of the sloop such as terrific speed, maneuverability, and gun capacity, this swift American variant was first built in the 1700's with a narrower hull and a shallower draft of only 5 feet. This meant it could easily take a large haul and 75-man crew further inland to hide or to divide the booty, but a smaller hold stored fewer spoils.

Brigantines- This shallow-draft, two-mast brigand's ship gave terrific maneuverability and speed from its various square and fore/aft-rigged sail variations. It was prized in the Mediterranean, where its earlier versions sometimes included oars that were better for diminished winds. Heavier, longer, and roomier than the smaller sloops and schooners, it was usually first choice for prolonged battles instead of quick hits. Adequate firepower and a larger hold meant the versatile pirate ship also saw widespread use as a trade ship. 70-80 foot length, 125-150 tons, 100+ men, 12 guns.