Roles on a Ship

Ship's Captain
A common misconception about life on a Pirate ship surrounds the role and authority of the Captain. Unlike the Captain's who were appointed by their respective governments and who's authority is supreme at all times, most pirate captain's were democratically elected by the ships crew and could be replaced at any time by a majority vote of the crewmen.

Some captains were voted out and removed for not being aggressive enough for their crews, while others were abandoned by their crews for being too bloodthirsty and brutal. Pirate Captain's were expected to be bold and decisive in battle as well as skilled in navigation and seamanship. Above all they had to have the force of personality necessary to hold together such an unruly bunch of seamen.

There are surprisingly few detailed descriptions of what the pirate captains looked like, and those we do have are rarely flattering. Most seem to have adopted the clothes of naval officers or extravagantly dressed merchant sea captains, which in this period followed the style of prosperous noble gentlemen.

Quartermaster
Most pirates delegated unusual amounts of authority to an individual called the Quartermaster, who became almost the Captain's equal. The general rule is that during times of battle the Captain retained unlimited authority, but at all other times he and the rest of the crew were subject to the command of the Quartermaster.

The Quartermaster is usually elected by the crew immediately after choosing a Captain, and it is his duty to represent their interests. For this he received an extra share of the booty when it is divided. Above all, he protected the Seaman against each other by maintaining order, settling quarrels, and distributing food and other essentials.

Serious crimes were tried by a jury of the crew, but the Quartermaster had the authority could punish minor offences, and kept the records and account books for the ship. If the pirates were successful, he decided what plunder to take from a prize. If the pirates decided to keep a captured ship, the Quartermaster often took over as the Captain of that ship until they disposed of it.

Sailing Master/Navigator
This officer is in charge of navigation and the sailing of the ship. He directed the course and looked after the maps and instruments necessary for navigation. Since the charts of the era were often inaccurate (or nonexistent) his job is a difficult one. Many Sailing Masters were forced into pirate service from captured vessels.

Boatswain
The Boatswain supervised the maintenance of the vessel and its supply stores. He is responsible for inspecting the ship and it's sails and rigging each morning, and reporting their state to the captain. The Boatswain is also in charge of all deck activities, including weighing and dropping anchor, and the handling of the sails.

Carpenter
The Carpenter is responsible for the maintenance & Surgeon and repair of the wooden hull, masts and yards. He worked under the direction of the ship's Master and Boatswain.

The Carpenter's duties were to check the hull regularly, placing oakum between the seems of the planks and wooden plugs on leaks to keep the vessel tight. More often than not, the Carpenter would also serve as the Ship's Surgeon and perform operations and amputations with the same wood working tools (with no anaesthetic!).

Master Gunner
The Master Gunner is a role unique to Qunari vessels and is responsible for the ship's guns and ammunition. This included sifting the powder to keep it dry, prevent it from separating, insuring the cannons and ordnance were kept free of rust, and that all weapons were kept in good repair. A knowledgeable Gunner is essential to the crew's safety and effective use of their weapons.

Mate
On a large ship there is usually more than one Mate aboard (hence the title "First Mate"). Mates served as apprentice to the Ship's Master, Boatswain, Carpenter and Gunner and took care of the fitting out of the vessel, and examined whether it is sufficiently provided with ropes, pulleys, sails, and all the other rigging that is necessary for the voyage.

The Mate also took care of hoisting the anchor, and during a voyage he checked the tackle once a day. If he observed anything amiss, he would report it to the ship's Master. Arriving at a port, the mate caused the cables and anchors to be repaired, and took care of the management of the sails, yards and mooring of the ship.

Able Bodied Sailor (ABS)
The common sailor, which is the backbone of the ship, needed to know the rigging and the sails. As well as how to steer the ship and applying it to the purposes of navigation. He needed to know how to read the skies, weather, winds and most importantly the moods of his commanders.

Rigger
The sailors assigned aloft to work the running rigging and to furl/release the sails were referred to as Riggers. Although there were not any truly "safe" jobs, due to the constant risk of falling from a slippery spar high above a rolling deck this is certainly one of the most dangerous.

Cabin Boy
A young boy who worked aboard pirate ships as a servant. Many cabin boys made their way aboard ship by being kidnapped by pirates or were runaways looking for a means of escape.

Powder Monkey
A role that is unique to Qunari vessels and filled by young boys on ship in which they run gunpowder from below decks (such as the orlop) to the cannon crews during battle.

Swab or Swabbie
Although not technically a rank, a person who mopped the decks using the swab is called a swabbie. It has also become a slang phrase to describe someone informally whom you do not hold in any high regard, i.e., "Avast, ye scurvy swab!"