Historic Replicas

While many people think of animated films when they hear the name Disney, they are actually a diverse company that has been smart enough to branch out of the children’s film market and into movies that are more accessible to the public market. This trend became increasingly smart for Disney as other companies such as Pixar began to dominate the animated genre. The best franchise that they have attached their name to, however, is by far the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series—which features A-list actors in pirate replicas, not animated creations.

Specifically, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” pulled in the most box office revenue worldwide for Disney. This does exclude the sale of any merchandise or video sales. Total, the series has pulled in an impressive $2.6 billion. The Disney movies have proved exponentially more lucrative than the Pirates ride, which opened as early as 1967. Some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Johnny Depp in the scene-stealing main role as well as Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, helped the trilogy along.

Pirates have been romanticized in Hollywood movies and popular culture to the point that their images softened somewhat over time. That’s why the recent trend of high-seas hijackings off the Somalian coast was so jarring to the Western world. Films such as “Pirates of the Caribbean” portray these seafaring bandits as little more than colorful characters in search of a little plunder.

Historians and hobbyists know the truth, however. Pirates have always been vigilantes – indiscriminant criminals who had no qualms about breaking international law just to get rich. With that said, pirate replicas such as guns, sword hangers and hats only serve to prove that the pirates of old were a fascinating bunch. Part of their appeal lies in the fact that they could conquer and pillage mighty naval vessels with little more than some extensive nautical knowledge and a few rudimentary weapons.

The release of the Pirates of the Caribbean films, in which Johnny Depp played the famed Captain Jack Sparrow, sparked a revolution which pushed pirates back into popular culture.  To this day, the facts and myths associated with life as a pirate fascinate people of all ages.  Pirates lived out their lives on the sea, and were often known to commit acts of fraud, thieving, and drunken debauchery.  But pirates also had a code of conduct, and were a superstitious bunch, traits that pushed their images into popular culture.

Pirate clothing is a favorite amongst people at costume parties, and consists of several different articles.  The common perception of the pirate outfit includes articles like a button up shirt, bandana or pirate hat, and fabric trousers.  Pirates also carried accessories for combat like a cutlass and a pistol, and other accessories including compasses, coin pouches, and small knives for combat or utility purposes.  Perhaps more interesting than pirates are all the myths about giant sea beasts, sirens, and ghost ships from pirate culture.  These myths have helped spawn modern interest in pirates and their lives on the sea.

 “Walk the plank”? Not before all pirate personnel aboard the ship agree! Contrary to popular belief, the pirate captain of the ship doesn’t call all of the shots alone, and all members on the ship get a say in what happens aboard the ship. For example, every pirate gets to vote on where the ship is headed, and if a colonial ship was to be attacked. Once the ship was attacked, after the majority agrees? All pirates got equal share of the “booty,” or treasure. Of course, pirates have to keep some form of dignity: the captain gets double the pirate’s share, a portion is set aside for maintenance, and a select few other members get a higher percentage of treasure than the average pirate. After all treasure is doled out, the average sum for a pirate is more than four times what he would make as a naval man or a merchant, exemplifying the allure of the occupation.
 Before becoming a pirate, each hopeful signs an agreement called “the articles” that outlines how much they would be paid, acceptable behavior, and punishments for breaking rules. Not so different from our laws in civilization, are they? But beware! If a pirate broke any of the aforementioned “rules,” any number of pirate swords would be used on him, and he would be left to perish on a deserted island.
 Think the plundering of ships was just for treasure? Think again. Pirates would forage on ships for pieces of clothing, and some would wear odd pirate costumes because of this. All Pirates agreed, though; they would never be caught wearing “slops,” the striped shirt worn by British sailors.
 It’s strange to consider pirates as being a civilized type of people, but when it comes to the formation of democracy, they were definitely ahead of us “civilized” people!

 Did you know that pirates were one of the first equal-opportunity employers?  In a time of slavery and unquestioned racism, a pirate ship was one of the few places were black people could expect something like equal treatment.  Most were runaway slaves, and made up a significant portion of the pirate population. Most ships had at least a few black crew members, and Blackbeard’s crew was over 60 percent black.  Black Bart had 88 black crew members out of 368.  These men weren’t slaves, but fully entitled shipmates who received an equal share of treasure and a vote in ship-wide decisions. Each man had to bring their own pirate sword and proper clothing (or pirate costumes). Some held prestigious positions:  Francis Sprigg’s cook was given the sacred responsibility of dividing captured treasure into equal shares.  In general, ships were governed according to a contract between captain and crew called the Articles of Agreement.   Black Bart’s read as follows: 

“Every Man has a Vote in Affairs of Moment; has equal Title to the fresh Provisions, or strong Liquors, at any Time seized, and may use them at Pleasure, unless a Scarcity make it necessary, for the Good of all, to vote a Retrenchment.”

Like many other pirates, his Articles made no mention of race, and his words were more than lofty rhetoric.  They applied equally to every crewman, regardless of color.  It is no secret that pirates were often cold-blooded and murderous.  Yet they could also be astonishingly progressive in a time when prejudice was the natural order.  

Pirates are perhaps the most morally ambiguous figures in history.  Popular myths surrounding pirates swords and pirate clothing are often at odds with reality, and even eye-witness accounts of famous seafarers are often conflicting.  A single pirate can be both hero and villain, noble and savage, depending on who tells the tale. In a way, it makes them seem more human than say, George Washington, who is so revered in most accounts he might as well be supremely virtuous protagonist of a Greek epic or spaghetti Western.  Pirates in history are more like the people in our lives, a mix of good and bad, decent but flawed. And now to stir the pot… (e.g. to be continued)

Growing up can be boring. Gone are the days when you could dress up like a super hero, or princess and play with your friends. You’re not being fair to yourself if you think dressing up is just for kids. In fact, why not plan a themed-costume party and ask everyone to dress as a pirate?

Your friends would love this. In addition to requiring everyone to wear pirate costumes, you can ask them to use a pirate voice. This party will be a blast. You may even want to give out pirate-themed prizes like eye patches and stuffed parrots! For appetizers think about serving Pirate’s Booty, dried meats and sardines.