The seventeenth century witnessed a sudden emergence of pirates in the Caribbean Sea. The contribution of state rivalry and the development of weapons in the seventeenth century nurtured pirates. There is no doubt that this century is known as the Golden Age of Piracy. Pirates had a strong motive and the right tools to attack ships at sea.
The sea was a pirate’s field; weapons were the tools of trade and determination was the strategy. Pirates gained popularity and were feared at the same time. For a country that supported privateers, these men were heroes. But in a rival country, pirates were hanged as soon as they were caught. The developed tools and wise strategies protected them and allowed them to fight against their enemies.
Why Were Pirates Feared?
With the increase in the number of pirates, the fear of pirates also spread like wildfire. People were so afraid that they started to surrender on sight of pirates. They did not want to fight against the treacherous and armed armies of pirates.
Spanish merchant ships started to sail with equipped boats and ships as their shields. It was the seventeenth century and both pirates and merchant ships had the same kind of equipment for war. The tool that helped pirates win over the equally armed merchant ships was the fine strategy for using such tools.
They conquered the gullible ships as well as the armed ones. They robbed the ships that surrendered as well as those who put up a fight. The growing strength of pirates was derived from the effective tools of the trade. They knew their tools well and were determined to prosper. They knew when to attack and how to attack. This gave them the upper hand when raiding their enemies.
Their fierce portrait in everyone’s mind and the stories of ruthless conquers ignited the fear. The conquering of Panama by Henry Morgan contributed to the increasing fear of pirates. They used to see, attack, and conquer. The tools of their trade were sharp, fast, dreadful, and filled with gunpowder.
What Tools Pirates Used To Attack?
Equipment for an attack was practically part of a pirate’s uniform. They either scared and conquered or attacked and conquered. In every scenario, the pirate needed the tools of his trade. A pirate’s trade was a bit tricky and very dangerous. They could not seal the deal without gunpowder.
Every pirate raid had three stages: before boarding the enemy ship, onboarding, and after boarding. The tools of the trade were used according to the stages of the raid. For example, using a close-range weapon before boarding would have been useless.
The formula for a successful raid is tools plus tactics.
Let us find how and what tools were used by pirates to rob their enemies.
Before Boarding
The ships filled with fierce pirates used to sail on the boundless water. They used to navigate for gullible merchant ships that would be easy to conquer. Once they spotted a target, everyone voted whether to loot the ship or not. If the majority voted in favor of the loot, then the first stage of the raid began.
The first target in this stage was to scare the enemy and persuade them to surrender. Pirates used numerous tools to arouse a sense of fear in merchant ships. They attacked enemies, not to destroy them, but to scare them. Once the enemies surrendered, a lot of bloodshed was saved, and the pirate could complete their robbery in peace. But if things took a turn and the captain of the enemy ship decided to fight, then tools would otherwise be used.
Cannon
The pirate ships in the seventeenth century were fully equipped with powerful cannons. Different ammunition was used in different types of cannons, with the same aim of breaking down the morale of the enemy. It was essential that the cannons were on the right side of the ship to attack the target. Thus, small, portable cannons like swivel guns were used.
This small cannon was as quick to load as a beer mug as long as the death powder could be filled in advance. The general length of the swivel was 1m and the bore was at most 3.5cm diameter. It was easy to carry around on the deck, allowing them to shoot various types of ammunition to target enemies from a long distance.
During this stage, the pirate ship would still approach the enemy. They used cannons as a signal of terror. The long range of cannons helped pirates to cause damage and arouse fear from a long distance. Cannons were helpful in injuring the mast, the hall, and enemy courage.
What were the different ammunitions used?
Round Shot/ Cannonballs
Round shots were the large, iron-ball ammunition. The diameter of the round shot was smaller to the bore and it was able to reach long distances. Though no explosive charge was used in a round shot, it impeccably destroyed the enemy, forcing them to surrender.
Grapeshot
As the name suggests, several iron balls, like a bunch of grapes, were fired from a cannon. The group of balls was not connected. Though the range of grapeshot was shorter than the round shot, it was highly effective. Upon firing the tool, the iron balls scattered, severely damaging the ship.
Bar And Chain Shot
This was a little innovative ammunition for the seventeenth century. An iron ball was cut into two halves and then joined with a bar or chain. This construction caused massive damage to the target in close range. The prime aim of this shot was to shoot the mast.
Bundle Shot
Unlike the grapeshot, the bundle shot comprised of numerous pieces of metal connected by ropes. The binding energy of the rope increased the intensity of the damage.
Explosive Shells
Unlike the round shot, this ammunition was explosively charged. The hollow balls were filled with gunpowder and the fuse had to be set carefully. The timing of the explosion depended on the length of the fuse.
In addition to this ammunition, the canister shot, powerbox, and sangrenel were also popular during the golden age.
Pirate Knives
As the pirate ship came close to the enemy ship, the pirates would start practicing their aim. Small knives were the key weapons to convincing the enemies to surrender. The aggression was expressed before boarding an enemy’s ship. Knives like daggers and dirks were most famous for injuring the enemies from a distance. However, pirate knives were also used after boarding an enemy ship.
Dagger
A small knife with a sharp edge and short handle was known as a dagger. The dagger was a handy weapon. It was easy to aim a dagger and tear an enemy’s courage (and tissue) with its sharp edges. It was also an excellent close-range weapon.
Dirk
A dirk was like the dagger’s older brother. It was a small-sized knife, but was comparatively longer. In the seventeenth century, both single-edged and double-edged dirks were famous among pirates. While the double edge was better for throwing purposes, the single edge was easy in a close-range attack.
Boarding
If the enemy refused to surrender and declared a fight against the pirates, then the pirates got ready to board the ship. Boarding an enemy’s ship was a difficult task, which was made easier by using the tools of the trade.
Grapple
How can a pirate board without using the boarding pin? Grapple was the most essential tool used to board the enemy’s ship. Imagine a rope attached to a heavy metal rod with an eye on the base to tie the rope. At the end of this metal piece, there are three pointed hooks that are equally spaced.
This is a grapple. Its application was thrilling and difficult. The rope was extended and thrown with the aim to attach the hooks to a target. Once the hooks were fixed on the enemy ship, it was easier to board the target. The range of grapples depended upon the pirate’s efficiency. If he could throw it to a distant ship, then the range was long.
Grenade Or Stink Bombs
Fixing a grapple was not enough to board the enemy ships. The enemy knew that pirates were coming so they were ready to fight to protect their cargo. But pirates were experienced and knew how to board without getting injured.
They used a grenade to provide themselves safe entry onto an enemy ship. A grenade was a hollow metal or glass vessel. The hollow was filled with a smelling agent mixed with gunpowder. To initiate the explosion of a grenade, a fuse was attached to it.
The pirates would ignite the fuse and then fire the grenade, targeting the enemy’s ship. When the grenade exploded, the noxious fumes attacked the passengers severely, causing chaos on the target ship. While the enemies were suffering from the grave effects of the grenade, the pirates would successfully board the ship.
After Boarding
Though the enemies were disturbed for a moment, they were still determined to fight the pirates. They did not surrender in the first stage and were not willing to surrender now. This led to a ship battle employing close-range weapons and firearms.
Close Ranged Weapon
Now the pirates were in the enemy’s territory. This was the time of face-to-face battle. Pirates were aggressive, treacherous, and innovative. They not only carried weapons like swords and knives, but they also used the ship equipment as close-range weapons. The following are the famous seventeenth-century weapons used to attack the enemies on board.
Boarding Axe
A boarding axe was a tool with a long handle attached to a large, sharp blade capable of separating the head from the rest of the body. The boarding axe was also used as a portable handle to climb onto the large vessels of the enemies. One blow of a boarding axe and the enemy was no more. From cutting the ropes off the rigging to injuring enemies, the boarding axe was multitalented.
The Marlinespike
A marlinespike was found on every ship during the golden age. The size of a marlinespike ranged from six to eighteen inches. The purpose of a marlinespike ranged from separating the strand of heavy ropes on the ships to piercing the skull of enemies.
A marlinespike was a straight iron or steel rod with one side pointed (to drill a hole) and one side blunt (to hold the tool). This tool that was used for completing various chores on a ship like stirring coffee and tea was also used as a close-range weapon to defeat the enemy.
Cutlass
A cutlass was the favorite sword of seventeenth-century pirates. The short length and light weight made it easy to carry out an effective attack. With a basket-shaped guard on the handle and a sharp curved edge, the cutlass was considered deadly. The one-sided curved blade was sharpened on the cutting edge. It was a short and broad sword used by pirates to dominate the enemy in close range. The extremely sharp edges also helped in destroying the enemy ship by cutting the rigging and the ropes.
Broadsword
The strong metal swords with straight and broad double-edged blades were known as broadswords. The strength of a broadsword was invincible. It was used by pirates to single- handily attack an enemy in close quarters. It was also known as the basket-hilted sword because pirates just needed to employ one hand to hold the basket-shaped guard.
Small-Sword
Since pirates had to board another ship to then go and fight enemies, it was smart to carry small, but effective weapons. Small swords were the sharp double-edged swords with shorter handles.
Other seventeenth-century close-range weapons included boarding pikes, belaying pins, daggers, and dirk knives.
Firearms
Enemies were also equipped with weapons and it was impossible to defeat them without employing a few firearms. These tools were comparatively faster, and the light ones were easy to use. Unlike today, seventeenth-century firearms could only shoot once or twice, yet the effect was astonishing and terrifying for the enemy. While some pirates were busy fighting an enemy with sharp, close-range tools, others were engaged in loading the fire tools.
Musket
The muzzle-loader and armor-piercing musket was extensively used in the first half of the seventeenth century. It weighed around twenty pounds and needed to be handled by at least two pirates. It was 1.7m long and when ignited with a match, it fired a 57-gram ball capable of destroying the enemy. Its reach was about 175 yards.
Musketoon
This was a modification of the musket. During the mid-seventeenth century, pirates started using the muskets with a short barrel and a long bore. This tool was known as the musketoon.
The barrel was built from brass or iron and was as short as 30cm long. Musketoons were comparatively lighter and easier to carry. It was more convenient to use a musketoon while fighting under the chaotic scenario of a ship robbery. Pirates were able to fire the musketoon while preventing themselves from slipping over the blood-stained floor.
The smaller musketoon was used to fire a single ball, while the larger ones were used to fire a bundle of destructive balls resembling the modern-day shotgun.
Blunderbuss
A blunderbuss was the perfect arm to aim at short range. It was generally used to fire a bundle of lead balls. The bore generally measured two inches and the flared barrel was less than two feet long. The spread from a blunderbuss was impressive and it was used to destroy a large area. Like the musketoon, the blunderbuss also resembled the modern-day shotgun. The flared muzzle helped in cutting down the reloading duration.
Flintlock Pistol
The matchlock firearms were defeated by the introduction of the flintlock ignition system. Instead of using a matchstick to fire the pistol, now pirates were able to shoot just by pulling a trigger. It was a surprising invention and a great evolution in the world of pirates.
Flintlock pistols were lightweight and easy to use. When pirates pulled the trigger, a spring motion would allow the frizzen to hit the flint. Consequently, sparks showered the gunpowder and the ignited powder fired the main charge in the bore, which finally fired the ball. The size of a flintlock pistol ranged from six to twenty inches. A pirate could load a flintlock pistol in at least fifteen seconds.
Multi-Barrelled Pistol
A multi-barreled pistol was designed to decrease the reloading duration. The barrel was around five inches and it weighed less than five hundred grams. The caliber was around forty-six and the multi barrels allowed it to reload faster.
In a fierce situation like an onboard battle, every second was valuable. In a matter of a few seconds, the enemy could take down a pirate. Multi-barreled pistols strengthened the pirates and helped them save time while looting the enemy.
Conclusion
Along with these extensively used arms, volley guns and pocket guns were also quite popular during the seventeenth century. After boarding an enemy’s ship, the fight turned aggressive and no one was safe. Pirates strategically used all of these tools to complete their raid.
The seventeenth century was indeed the golden age of piracy. Developments and modification of weapons and the increase in the popularity of pirates were the main highlights of this century. The Caribbean Sea was filled with pirates and pirate ships were filled with tools of the trade. These tools are rare and valuable for today’s generation. Imagine the value of a sword that helped Henry Morgan conquer Panama.
After reading the story of a raid, you must have realized that a pirate’s life was no picnic. It is thrilling to watch a pirate movie or read about a sea raid, but being a pirate was not a piece of cake. They put their life at stake during every raid and they depended on these tools of the trade. The strategy to use these tools was set straight and each pirate was equally paid.
