This was generally a 150 ton, 80 foot vessel that could carry around 100 pirates mounting over 10 cannons with a cargo space about twice as big as the sloop. The Schooner could also reach 11 knots in a good wind.Īnother versatile ship the Brigantine was more of a captain’s ship for a pirate. Fully loaded she was still small enough to navigate the shoal waters and to hide in remote coves. She was favored by pirates of the North American coast and the Caribbean. Perhaps her greatest virtue lie in her shallow draft.
The Schooner which came into widespread use around the last half of the eighteenth century is a little of all of the best features in a pirate ship. The Sloop was often the ship of choice for hunting in the shallower channels and sounds. This relatively small vessel could carry around 75 pirates and around ten cannons. The Sloop was a favorable ship for pirates and smugglers alike. If the wind was favorable, a square topsail could be hoisted to give her a top speed that could on occasion exceed eleven knots.
The single-masted sloop had a bowsprit almost as long as her hull making her perhaps one of the swiftest vessels of her day. The speed and shallow draft of these ships enabled the pirates to hide in relative safety in shallower coastal waters where larger warships could not enter. Two of the pirates favorite types of ships were the sloop and the schooner. This work was essential in order to maintain their speed advantage. The pirates kept their ships in good order, careening them regularly to keep the hulls smooth and clear of seaweed and other marine life. Also pirates wanted a quick escape if needed. But generally they gave preference to those with the greatest speed as it would do no good to spot a potential target only to have it out-sail you. Pirates in the 17th century used many types of ships, anywhere from a small sloop to a large warship.
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