Fun Myths & Facts About Pirates 

How much do you think you know about pirates? Is everything you have learned based on what you have seen in movies like Pirates of the Caribbean or Broadway shows like Peter Pan?  Movies and shows may have portrayed pirates in a certain light but this may not be an accurate description of what being a pirate was really like. 

Let’s have some fun and explore some of the myths and fun facts that historians, rather than movie show producers have found about this interesting profession. 

Did Pirates Really Make People Walk The Plank As Punishment? 

While it is fairly common to see pirates making people walk blindfolded off a long wooden plank attached to the side of their vessel as punishment, it is not an accurate depiction of pirate punishment. 

Instead, pirates would often torture or kill their prisoners rather than make them walk a plank to fall into the waters below. Another form of punishment typically used was called keelhauling. This practice included dragging a tied-up sailor from the back of the ship. Occasionally the sailor would be dragged under the vessel and drown while other times the person would be seriously injured by the hull of the boat. Either way, this torture was a typical punishment imposed by pirates.

Are Famous Pirates Only Men? 

Since we have all heard of Blackbeard, Captain Bellamy, Captain Kidd and Sir Francis Drake, it may be easy to assume that all pirates are men. This is not true. 

There were female pirates such as Mary Read, Anne Bonny, Grace O’Malley, and Ching Shih. They often had to dress as men and hide their appearance to be taken seriously by burly sailors. 

Did Pirates Really Bury Their Treasure & Make Treasure Maps? 

It seems like every story ever told about pirates includes the elusive treasure box that must be found using an old map. Inside that treasure chest was wealth beyond belief as it would be overflowing with gold coins, jewels, and money! 

While this scenario makes for good movie-making, most pirates wanted to use their treasure before hiding it. Contrary to popular belief, not all treasure was conveniently sized correctly to fit in a treasure chest like gold, jewels and coins would be. Most treasure transported and used by pirates also included cloth, animal hides, lumber, and food.

Do Pirates Still Exist Today? 

The answer to this one may surprise you. Pirates do exist. But not in the way you envision them sailing into port with swords raised and donning eye patches. Pirates still exist in many areas in the Indian Ocean and some areas of the Pacific. Piracy issues are still a problem that many countries still battle on the open waters. Dominating competing ships and stealing cargo is still an issue. 

Want to find out more about pirates and local pirates? Visit Real Pirates of Salem and get started dispelling the myths and learning more fun facts about pirates!