Pirates
... definition of piracy. The meaning of the word pirate most closely tied to the contemporary was established in the 18th century AD. This definition dubbed pirates "outlaws" whom even persons who were not soldiers could kill. The first application of international law actually involved anti-pirate legislation. This is due to the fact that most pirate acts were committed outside the borders of any country. Although in times of war a country would seek out pirates and hire them to do their dirty work. Basically attack enemy ships and taking what ever was on the ship back to their home counrtyPirates and privateers although were not the only swashbucklers to roam the open seas there were also buccaneers and corsairs. Buccaneers initially hunter’s of cattle and pigs on the Island of what is now known as Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Buccaneers got their name from the meaning of the French word "boucan" (which means barbecue), as they were frequently seen barbecuing their meat on grills. The buccaneers were driven out by the Spanish, and the persecuted hunters banded with groups of runaway slaves, deserters, and other’s who hated the Spanish and sought vengeance on their vessels. The word buccaneer soon became common, and by the 17th century was used to describe pirates and privateers who had bases in the West Indies. Now Corsairs are pirates or privateers who operated in the Mediterranean. The most recognized corsairs were from the Barbary Coast of North Africa. Transition Ah, life on the open seas. The big open empty seas. Wow. I guess it’d be kind boring huh? Sea life for pirates was much different from land life. Long weeks spent at sea with nothing much to do beyond seeking out ships to plunder and cities to pillage. Beyond that there was really nothing left to do. I mean playing cards and throwing the cabin boy over board can only entertain a person for so long. So with nothing left to occupy the attention of a crew of bloodthirsty pirates inevitably conflicts and ultimately fights would break out and were quiet commonplace. It was at times like when the captain would have to intervene and control the situation with either fear or respect. But the captain never had the last word as most ships were run democratically. Beyond fights though another major challenge for pirates was as in any long voyage to make the food last as long as possible. Before a long voyage the captain would stock up the ship with bottled bear because the water would become undrinkable after a while due to the very nasty salty taste. Their main food source though was what is known as hard tack. Hard tack is just a really long lasting biscuit. Limes and other fruits like that were also taken along. They were the source of ever so important vitamin c. the lack of which lead to the most unsavory disease, scurvy. No if they were lucky the ship would carry hens which would provide both eggs and fresh meat. But the pirates found an unlimited supply of that with the turtles that thrived in the Caribbean. As well as being delicious they were easy prey for pirates. Now when the pirates would return from a successful voyage all they would want to do is parrty! The pirates would quickly spend their bloodstained prizes and often times that was quiet a bit in the local taverns and alehouse. ...