Ship Types Used by Pirates

Pirates usually carried out their trade by using ships they had captured on earlier raids. Some pirates might “upgrade” to the better ship after capturing a ship that was better suited for their purposes. Between the years 1710 and 1730 pirate attacks in the Caribbean and along the North American coast were made using the following types of vessels. By percentage: 55%-sloops, 45%-ships, 10%-brigs or brigantines, 5%-schooners, 3%-open boats, and 2%-snows.

Under the Black Flag, David Cordingly