by Tim Collins
Keelhauling
The punishment of being dragged across the rough underside of a ship. This could happen while a ship was run up on a beach, but sometimes it was done underwater for extra horribleness.
Marooning
A punishment where a pirate would be left on a desert island to die alone.
Mast
Tall poles that rise vertically from ships.
Moses’ Law
The belief that a victim should be given thirty-nine lashes with a whip, as any more could be fatal. Of course, in reality any number of lashes can kill someone.
Pieces of Eight
A silver coin, worth eight reales, which was an old Spanish unit of currency.
Port
The left side of a ship if you’re facing forward.
Privateer
Seafarers who have been granted the right to attack and plunder ships by a government.
Scurvy
A disease caused by a lack of vitamin C. It was common in pirates who ate no fruits or vegetables.
Sloop
A small sailing ship with a single mast. Some pirates used these for hiding in narrow inlets where bigger ships couldn’t follow.
Starboard
The right side of a ship if you’re facing forward.
Stern
The rear of a ship.
Topsails
Square sails set above the lowest sails.
Yard
The horizontal pole of wood fixed to a mast to support sails.