To the imaginations of many, life aboard a pirate ship creates an image of reckless abandon for pleasures such as rum. Few realize that life aboard a pirate ship was ruled by a democracy, and discipline was strictly enforced by a pirate�s code of conduct. It�s true that not all pirate ships were ruled by a code of conduct; but, it�s safe to say that those that did saw success in terms of lesser casualties, and efficiency.
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.
These rules were used to settle the arguments, ensure that booty was equitably shared and to see that pirates injured whilst on active service were compensated.
1. Every man has a vote in affairs of moment; has equal title to the fresh provisions, or strong liquors at any time seized, and may use them at pleasure, unless a scarcity, makes it necessary, for the good of all, to vote a retrenchment.
2. Every man to be called fairly in turn, by list, on board of prizes, because, (over and above their proper share) 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 the punishmeet. If the robbery was only betwixt one another, they contented themselves with slitting the ears and nose of him that was guilty, and set him on shore, not in an uninhabited place, but somewhere, where he was sure to encounter hardships.
3. No person to game at cards or dice for money.
4. 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.
5. To keep their piece, pistols, and cutlass clean and fit for service.
6. To desert the ship or their quarters in battle, was punished with death or marooning.
7. No striking one another on board, but every man's quarrels to be ended on shore, at sword and pistol.
8. No man to talk of breaking up their way of living until each had Shared. 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 proportionately.
9. The captain and the quartermaster to receive two shares of a prize: the master, boatswain, and gunner, one share and a half, and other officers one and a quarter.
10. The musicians to have rest on the Sabbath Day, but the other six days and nights, none without special favor. 11. Every man shall obey civil command:
12. If any man shall offer to run away or keep any secret from the company, he shall be marooned, with one bottle of powder, one bottle of water, one small arm, and shot.
13. Every man has a vote in the affairs of the moment.
