What Would Have Happened if a Stowaway Was Discovered on a Pirate Ship?

In the golden age of piracy, which spanned from the mid-17th to the late 18th century, life aboard a pirate ship was largely barbaric and dangerous. During this era, piracy was a thriving industry, driven by greed, lack of legal recourse, and the often desperate conditions of the 17th and 18th-century seafaring life. If a stowaway had been discovered on a pirate ship during this time, the outcome would likely have been dire, reflecting the harsh and inhumane nature of piratical life. Let's explore the possible scenarios.

Most Likely Outcome: Rape, Murder, and Burial at Sea

The most common and immediate response to a stowaway discovery was likely a combination of rape, murder, and burial at sea. Given the brutal and often violent nature of pirates, the presence of a stowaway who was in all likelihood not part of the pirate community presented a significant threat. Pirate communities placed immense value on loyalty, cooperation, and survival, and outsiders were often seen as rivals or potential enforcers of a strange and unwelcome presence.

Stories from the golden age of piracy suggest that the first action a pirate would often take if a stowaway was found was to eliminate the threat they posed. This often involved raping the stowaway as a form of humiliation and control, followed by a quick and brutal murder. The body would then be thrown overboard, usually near a lifeless or deserted place to ensure there were no witnesses. This ruthless act helped maintain order and deter any future stowaways from climbing aboard the ship.

Enslavement and Possible Sale

If the stowaway happened to possess skills that could be valuable to the pirate crew, a different outcome might have prevailed. Enslavement and subsequent sale would be a highly probable scenario. Pirates needed strong, intelligent, and skilled individuals to operate their vessels efficiently. A stowaway who exhibited any of these traits could be forcibly incorporated into the pirate crew, often after being subjected to a brutal initiation.

During the period of enslavement, the stowaway would likely be treated as a slave or a mere asset, rather than an equal member of the crew. If the pirate ship was involved in the slave trade, the stowaway might even be sold to another ship. The value placed on skilled manpower was immense, and a stowaway who could help the pirates achieve their goals would not be easily cast aside. However, the treatment would be harsh, characterized by violence and exploitation.

Possible Incorporation into the Crew

In cases where a stowaway displayed exceptional skills or was well-integrated into the pirate community, the outcome might have been slightly more favorable. If the stowaway had the right combination of skills and personality traits, they could be incorporated into the crew. This incorporation would likely involve passing through a rite of passage that would solidify the stowaway's status within the pirate community.

Once accepted, the stowaway would likely face grueling training and further harsh treatment. However, they might eventually be treated with a modicum of respect within the pirate ship's hierarchy. The pirate ship was often a microcosm of a brutal and violent society, where loyalty and survival were crucial. Acceptance into the crew would not necessarily translate to comfort, but it would at least ensure a measure of safety and protection against being killed or left behind.

Being Held for Ransom

If the stowaway was notable for any reason, such as a high social status or uniquely valuable skills, the pirates might have opted to hold them for ransom. This was not a common practice among pirate ships, given the intricate and dangerous nature of the global trade routes and the frequent encounters with other ships. However, the existence of those few instances demonstrates that some pirates thought such tactics could be profitable and worth attempting.

Holding a notable individual for ransom required careful planning and execution. The stowaway would be subjected to torture and humiliation, with the threat of death looming if they refused to cooperate or provide funds for their release. Success in the ransom attempt would bring significant wealth to the pirate ship, and the stowaway would be more likely to be treated with a semblance of dignity in the interim.

Pirates as Sea Going Versions of Modern Street Gangs

It is often useful to draw comparisons between historical pirate activities and modern criminal organizations such as street gangs. Pirates were not just sailing bandits but also had a complex social structure and code of conduct. These organizations were essentially sea-going versions of modern street gangs, with similar motivations and practices.

Lack of legal recourse, socio-economic pressure, and the harsh realities of life at sea contributed significantly to the formation and actions of pirate communities. Just as modern street gangs operate in a vacuum of law and order, pirate ships were governed by a strict code of conduct enforced by violence and coercion. The outcome for a stowaway on a pirate ship, therefore, would be reflective of the brutal and unpredictable nature of gang life, but adapted to the maritime context.

Conclusion

The discovery of a stowaway on a pirate ship during the golden age would have resulted in a variety of outcomes, none of them favorable for the stowaway. The most likely outcomes involved rape, murder, and burial at sea, enslavement and sale, rapid incorporation into the crew, or being held as a ransom. However, such a stowaway would have faced the same dehumanizing and brutal treatment as other members of the pirate community, highlighting the inhumane nature of piracy during this era.

Understanding the historical context of piracy provides insight into the social and economic factors that drove these brutal and violent organizations. By exploring these outcomes, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the harsh realities faced by those who dared to challenge the established order at sea.