Many Pirate Ships Developed Pirate Rules Or Articles of Agreement

Many pirate ships developed pirate rules or "Articles of Agreement". When a ship was captured, the able-bodied prisoners were asked to sign the articles and become pirates themselves. Most refused, but were then forced into piracy anyway. However, these "forced" pirates could not be found guilty of piracy because they had not signed the articles.

The "pirate rules" listed below are compiled from several sources and offer a sampling of "law and order" among a pirate company. If there were any doubt about interpreting the code, a jury was chosen to bring in a verdict. - Of course not all pirate ships had "Articles of Agreement"

- Every man had a voice in all affairs

- Every man had equal title to all fresh provisions and strong liquors seized.

- Captain and Quartermaster received two shares in a prize. Sailing Master, Boatswain, and Gunner receive one-and-one-half shares. Other officers one-and-one-quarter shares. Sailors, one share. If one lost a limb or became a cripple in the common service, one received more of a share.

- No gaming for money at cards or dice at sea.

- Lights and candles out before 8 o'clock. Any drinking done after 8 o'clock must be done on open decks

- Every man must keep his gun, pistol, and cutlass clean and ready for service. If he did not, he would be cut from his share and suffer such punishment as the captain saw fit.

- To desert the ship or abandon quarters in time of battle was punished by death or marooning. The marooned was usually given a bottle of water and some powder, shot and a pistol.

- If someone cheated the company of an article of value, he would be punished by marooning.

- If robbery took place between two crewmen, the guilty one had his nose and ears split and would be marooned.

- No women were allowed on board. If any man carried a woman on board disguised, he would be put to death.

- No striking another on board ship. every man's quarrel would be settled on shore with sword and pistol. Quartermaster would accompany both to shore. The disputants were set back to back at 20 paces. At the command, they turn and fire immediately. If both miss, they take up their cutlasses.

Elements of the Pirate Articles / Pirate Code:

- who was voted CAPTAIN, if the ship's owner was
not among them to be in charge...
- which AREA to sail in search of fortune...
- the TERMS and conditions of service clearly stated...
- the DIVISION of plunder among crew members...
A pirate captain and possibly the quartermaster (whose powers equaled or surpassed those of the captain) might receive as much as two (sometimes up to five!) shares of the loot taken, while the master gunner, boatswain, and carpenter might receive 1 and3/4 shares. All others would receive 1 share or less.
- INTOLERABLE behaviors, such as fighting, gambling, open flame
- PUNISHMENT or disciplines for broken rules
- COMPENSATION for disabling injuries such as loss of eye, hand, arm, or leg (losses of right hand or arm were compensated with more as more pirates were right-handed)
Each pirate would sign or make his mark and then swear an oath of honor while his hand was on either a Bible, crossed pistols or a human skull, or while sitting on a cannon

Code of Conduct on a Pirate Ship:
The rules of each pirate captain were clearly stated to each member of the crew. There was little ambiguity about acceptable behavior among pirates on a typical pirate ship. When a rule was breached, the crew was often without pity or remorse in punishing a guilty crew member. Although in cases of particularly useful pirates such as skillful fighters, exceptions were inevitably made. Below, a sample code of conduct is provided. Outlined below is a sample.

Sample Code of Conduct:

·  Every man shall obey civil Command; the Captain shall have one full share and a half in all Prizes; the Master, Carpenter, Boatswain and Gunner shall have one Share and quarter.

·  If any man shall offer to run away, or keep any Secret from the Company, he shall be marroon'd with one Bottle of Powder, one Bottle of Water, one small Arm and shot.

·  If any Many shall steel any Thing in the Company, or game, to the Value of a Piece of Eight, he shall be marroon'd or shot.

·  If at any Time we should meet another Marrooner (that is Pyrate) that Man that shall sign his Articles without the Consent of our Company, shall suffer such Punishment as the Captain and Company shall think fit.

·  That Man that shall strike another whilst these Articles are in force, shall receive Mose's Law (that is 40 stripes lacking one) on the bare Back.

·  That Man that shall snap his Arms, or smoak Tobacco in the Hold, without a cap to his Pipe, or carry a Candle lighted without a Lanthorn, shall suffer the same Punishment as in the former Article.

·  That Man that shall not keep his Arms clean, fit for an Engagement, or neglect his Business, shall be cut off from his Share, and suffer such other Punishment as the Captain and the Company shall think fit.

·  If any Man shall lose a Joint in time of an Engagement he shall have 400 pieces of Eight; if a limb 800.

·  If at any time you meet with a prudent Woman, that Man that offers to meddle with her, without her Consent, shall suffer present Death.