How Did Pirates Get Their Ships? Capture, Mutiny and Conversion

Most famous pirate ships were not built for pirates. They began life as merchant vessels, privateers, slave ships, fishing craft or other working ships and entered pirate service only after capture, mutiny or theft. Pirates were opportunistic ship buyers without the buying.

Did pirates build special pirate ships?

Usually not. Shipbuilding required money, specialized labor, secure yards and time. Pirates obtained vessels far more efficiently by taking ships that already existed. That is why “pirate ship” describes how a vessel was used rather than one standard design.

How did a crew capture a ship?

Pirates tried to approach a target, intimidate its crew and force surrender. If the prize was worth keeping, they inspected the hull, rig, sails, weapons, provisions and cargo. A good captured vessel could be more valuable than much of the cargo aboard it.

Why would pirates abandon their old ship?

Ships wore out quickly. A vessel might leak, sail poorly, carry too little water or simply be too slow. If a captured prize offered better speed, more space or stronger construction, pirates could transfer their crew and equipment into it.

Did they rename captured ships?

Frequently. Blackbeard renamed the captured French vessel La Concorde as Queen Anne’s Revenge. Bartholomew Roberts used the name Royal Fortune for more than one vessel. Renaming is one reason pirate ship histories can become difficult to follow.

Could a mutiny create a pirate ship?

Yes. Sailors could seize the ship on which they were already serving, remove or imprison officers and begin operating independently. A mutiny did not automatically make the crew pirates, but if they then attacked shipping without lawful authority, the vessel had effectively entered pirate service.

Did pirates steal ships in harbor?

They could. A small vessel tied up in a poorly defended anchorage was a tempting target, especially for men trying to escape after accepting a pardon or losing another ship. Stealing a sloop could return a group to sea very quickly.

What made a ship attractive to pirates?

Speed was crucial, but so were maneuverability, shallow draft, storage capacity and the ability to carry guns. A large ship could mount more cannon yet require more crew and provisions. Pirates had to balance intimidation against operating cost.

Why were sloops popular?

Caribbean sloops were fast, handy and able to enter shallow waters. They were excellent for pursuing merchant traffic and escaping heavier ships. Their weakness was limited storage and cramped accommodations.

Did pirates add more guns?

Often. A captured merchant vessel could be modified by adding cannon, swivels, ammunition storage or reinforced positions. Pirates also wanted a clear deck and room for large boarding parties, so cargo capacity was not the only consideration.

What happened to the captured crew?

The pirates might release them, force them aboard another vessel, recruit selected sailors or leave them with the discarded pirate ship. Skilled carpenters, navigators and surgeons could be especially desirable recruits.

What happened to ships pirates did not want?

They could be stripped of food, weapons, sails, rope and valuables and then released, abandoned or burned. Destroying a vessel prevented immediate pursuit but also wasted a potentially useful asset, so the decision depended on circumstances.

Did a famous pirate keep one flagship forever?

Rarely. Pirate careers were short and vessels changed hands constantly. The romantic idea of one captain and one lifelong ship is often a simplification. A successful pirate might command several different vessels within a single year.

PirateLore takeaway

Pirates mostly acquired ships the same way they acquired cargo: by taking them. They then kept the vessels that best matched their needs, renamed and rearmed them, and abandoned them when a better prize came along.