Posted on 09/19/2003 7:04:29 AM PDT by MalcolmS
First, lets answer the question; they talk the same (Arrr Matey!), so how can ye tell the difference between a Pirate and a Privateer?
From this here website:
“Privateering was legal, and in its time generally respected, and often admired. Privateers operated only in wartime and only against enemy shipping. They were, in many ways, in the same business as the navy, which likewise paid its sailors and officers from the proceeds of captured ships.
Pirates were stateless criminals who attacked anyone’s ships in peace or war, following their own unique customs and rules which bore no resemblance to elaborately regulated world of privateering.”
Now some of ye might be thinking, Arrr, “stateless criminals who attacked anyone … their own unique rules”, why that be Democrats for sure. Not so quick I say. Unlike them scurvy party of Donkeys, some of them pirates were actually cheering for these here United States. According to this here website,
the “French sounding” pirate Jean Laffite helped defend New Orleans against the British in the war of 1812.
“Laffite sought out Andrew Jackson, the Tennessee soldier who came to protect New Orleans. Although initially against any offer from the "hellish banditti," Jackson reassessed his decision after Laffite offered him two things he desperately needed: 7,500 flints with powder and 1,000 fighting men. Although the Battle of New Orleans was technically fought after the war ended, there was little doubt that the British would have captured New Orleans had Laffite and his men not fought under Jackson.”
Now many pirates were indeed dastardly brigands. Gaspar raided the waters around Florida until 1821, when he was brought to a fine, manly, saber-waving piratical end by none other than the USS Enterprise. Despite his dastardly deeds, so brave a lad was he that they named the superbowl–winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his honor.
Now in the war of 1812, the USA, not having a fleet that could trade cannonades with the British, outfitted many a privateer, most sailing from Baltimore. From this here website,
“But this era of peacetime prosperity lasted only until 1812, when once again the outbreak of war focused the energies of Fells Point on privateering. By this time, the local shipyard had refined the Baltimore Clipper to near perfection, especially in the speed and maneuverability which privateering required. During the War, 126 privateers operated out of Baltimore, capturing over 500 British ships. And the four most successful privateering ships-- the Rossie, the Rolla, the Corn- et, and the Chasseur-- were built by Thomas Kemp in his small Fells Point shipyard at Washington and Aliceanna Streets. Each of these seized scores of ships and hundreds of thousands of dollars of cargo. In fact, the Chasseur--also known as the Pride of Baltimore--carried the war to the home waters of England, where Captain Thomas Boyle proclaimed from on board that Britain itself was in a "state of strict and rigorous blockade." For eight months, the Chasseur proved such a threat to English shipping that the British admiralty dispatched six warships to hunt her down; each, at one time or another, sighted and chased the Chasseur, with no success. “
So these privateers kept the British from undoing the War of Independence.
So what are the facts about pirates? (From http://www.youthonline.ca/pirates/ )
-Buccaneers were people of the Caribbean islands of Hispaniola and Tortuga, who were paid by the governors of the Caribbean islands to attack Spanish treasure ships and ports. Eventually the Buccaneers became more and more out of control and attacked any ship they thought carried valuable cargo, whether it belonged to the enemy or not. In this way they became true pirates.
-The ships pilot was actually the captain. The captain, as we understand them, was actually the battle leader. The pilot and captain retained the same portion of profits. If the pirate crew felt the captain was not getting them enough booty, they would vote him out and elect a new captain from their crew.
-Pirate attacks were often successful. This is because the ships usually carried far more crew than other ships of it's size. They easily out numbered their victims. They also altered their ships so they could carry more cannons.
-When ships saw the Jolly Roger flying on the mast of an approaching ship, they often surrendered without a fight because they new they would probably lose.
-If a ship flew a Jolly Roger that was red, poeple would be terrified to see the ship coming. A red Jolly Roger means that no mercy would be should to captian, crew and passengers.
-Blackbeard were a pirate that instilled fear in others. He was heavily armed with knives, cutlasses and pistols. He also tried to make himself espcially fearsome by making his eyes look wild and twisting pieces of fuse that he lite on fire in his thick tangled hair.
-There were many female pirates. Some examples are Anne Bonny, Mary Read and Grace O'Malley.
-Pirate ships were the first democratic organization of the New World. Each pirate was allowed to vote on where the ship was to go or if a ship should be attacked. Each pirate received an equal share of the booty, with a double share going to the captain, pilot, carpenter, cook and share set aside for the maintenance of the ship. Each pirate signed an aggreement-called articles-before they joined. This paper detailed how much they would be paid, behaviour expected and punishment for breaking the rules. For breaking the rules a pirate would be marooned with a flagon of water and a pistol, to survive or die, flogged (40 lashes minus one) or shot.
-Pirates were compensated for loss of limb. They would received anywhere from 100-800 pieces of eight and possibly a slave.
-Doctors didn't sail on pirate ships, so if a pirate's arm or leg was badly injured during battle, it was cut off by the ship's cook.
Now here’s some thoughts to get you started.
-Democrats are like pirates, because despite the pretense of “equal shares”, some are more equal than others. And they used a "democratic organization" to loot and plunder. Plus you got paid someone else’s money if you lost a limb—sort of a combination of Hillary Care and the Lawsuit system.
-Republicans are like Privateers because they believe it is proper to shrink government by privatizing functions like defence and rely on the capitalist system.
-Libertarians are like Privateers, because they believe that the most powerful weapons available at the time can be entrusted to, and used by, private citizens.
-Anarchists are like pirates, because both like to fight, riot and loot.
So what say ye, lubbers and salty dawgs all? Pirates & Privateers: Be They Democrat, Republican, Libertarian or Anarchist?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.