The Brethren of the Coast
The Tortuga buccaneers began to call themselves the Brethren of the Coast around 1640. To become a member of this democratic fraternity a man vowed to follow a strict code called the Custom of the Coast. Among the fiercely independent buccaneers this code took precedence over any national code of law. By crossing the Tropic of Cancer they had, according to superstition, drowned their former lives. Last names were taboo, generally known only if a man was married.
Before setting out on an expedition the buccaneers agreed to the chasse-partie, or articles describing the conditions under which they were to sail. In the days of the early boucaniers the men generally selected their leader from among themselves. The captain was responsible for the well being of the crew and the ship as it much is today. Once the crew felt that the captain was not performing his duties correctly, something usually drastic happened.
Before sailing, the participants assembled in a council held aboard ship and decided where to head for provisions. They obtained pork by raiding Spanish hog ranches. Turtle meat, eaten fresh or salted, was a favorite, and when they could they ate manatees.
The buccaneer council decided where to go to "seek their desperate fortunes" and precisely what share of the booty each man was to receive.
In the first place the Captain out to have for his ship. Next the salary of the carpenter, or shipwright, who careened, mended and rigged the vessel....Afterwards for provisions and victualling they drew out of the same common stock....Also a competent salary for the surgeon and his chest of medicines...Lastly, they stipulated in writing what compensation or reward each one ought to havefor being either wounded, maimed, or suffering the loss of any limb during that voyage. Thus, for the loss of a right arm 600 pieces of eight, or six slaves; for the loss of a left arm 500 pieces of eight, or five slaves; for a right leg 500 pieces of eight, or five slaves; for the left leg 400 pieces of eight, or four slaves; for an eye 100 pieces of eight or one slave; for a finger of the hand, the same reward as for the eye.
Whatever remained in the pot after paying out the above was divided into shares. The buccaneer leader got five or six times what the ordinary crewmen recieved. The officers received an amount proportionate to their position, and the lowest-ranked boys were awarded a half share "by reason that, when they happen to take a better vessel than their own, it is the duty of the boys to set fire to the ship or boat wherein they are, and then retire to the prize which they have taken." The first to sight a prize won an extra share. The buccaneers swore not to steal from one another nor conceal any plunder. No locks or keys were allowed onboard. Any man found stealing from a brother had his nose and ears sliced off. Following a second offense, a man was marroned on a deserted shore with nothing more than one jug of water, a musket, and shot.
The following two articles are examples of different articles followed on different ships throughout the Brethren of the Coast.
Every Man has a Vote in Affairs of Moment; has equal title to the fresh Provisions, or Strong Liquors, at any Time seized, and use of them at Pleasure, unless a Scarcity make it necessary, for the good of all, to Vote a Retrenchment.
Every Man to be called fairly in turn, by List, on Board of Prizes, because, they were on these Occasions allowed a Shift of Clothes: But if they defrauded the Company to the Value of a Dollar, in Plate, Jewels, or Money, Marooning was their Punishment.
No Person to Game at Cards or Dice, for Money.
The Lights and Candles to be put out at eight o'Clock at Night: If any of the Crew, after that Hour, still remained inclined for Drinking, they were to do it on the open Deck
To keep their Piece, Pistols, and Cutlass clean, and fit for Service
No Boy or Woman to be allowed amongst them. If any Man were found seducing any of the latter Sex, and carried her to Sea, disguised, he was to suffer Death.
To Desert the Ship, or their Quarters in Battle, was punished with Death, or Marooning.
No striking one another on Board, but every Man's Quarrels to be ended on Shore, at Sword and Pistol.
No Man to talk of breaking up their Way of Living, till each had shared a 1000! If in order to this, any Man should lose a Limb, or become a Cripple in their Service, he was to have 800 Dollars, out of the public Stock, and for lesser Hurts, proportionably.
The Captain and Quarter-Master to receive two Shares of a Prize; the Master, Boatswain, and Gunner, one Share and a half, and other Officers, one and a Quarter.
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 a 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 Man shall steal 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 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 while these Articles are in force, shall receive Moses'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, 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.
Page Last Updated 03 September 2001
This page hosted by
Get your own
Free Home Page
Get your own Free Home Page