How did pirates know where to go?

Pirates mainly found other ships by waiting on known trade routes. To know where they are, sailors use latitude (north and south distance), and longitude (east and west). Pirates would work out their longitude by seeing which direction was north and then guessing how far they had travelled east or west.

How did pirates loot ships?

Pirates wanted to plunder ships before sinking them. The ideal pirate attack could go one of two ways. The pirates could approach their target openly, run up the Jolly Roger, and accept the ship’s surrender. Or, the pirates could use smaller boats and board to the enemy ship using grappling hooks and ropes.

Why did some sailors of the 1600s and 1700s turn to piracy?

Factors contributing to piracy during the Golden Age included the rise in quantities of valuable cargoes being shipped to Europe over vast ocean areas, reduced European navies in certain regions, the training and experience that many sailors had gained in European navies (particularly the British Royal Navy), and …

Did pirates actually bury their treasure?

Pirates burying treasure was rare. The only pirate known to have actually buried treasure was William Kidd, who is believed to have buried at least some of his wealth on Gardiners Island near Long Island before sailing into New York City.

Did pirates sink ships?

If the ship was in good condition, the pirates might choose to keep it, and add it to their fleet or sell it. Otherwise the pirates would take the cargo and then sink it or send it afloat.

What were the most popular ports of call for pirates?

1. Port Royal During the “Golden Age of Piracy” in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, Port Royal, Jamaica stood as one of the most popular ports of call for thieves, prostitutes and pirates of every stripe.

How many pirate ships were in the harbor in 1814?

Between 500 and 1,000 marauders frequented the area, and more than a dozen pirate ships regularly occupied its harbor. In 1814, Laffite famously interrupted his pirate activity to play an unlikely role in the War of 1812.

What is the most famous pirate port in Jamaica?

1. Port Royal. During the “Golden Age of Piracy” in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, Port Royal, Jamaica stood as one of the most popular ports of call for thieves, prostitutes and pirates of every stripe.

What was the Golden Age of piracy in Jamaica?

During the “Golden Age of Piracy” in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, Port Royal, Jamaica stood as one of the most popular ports of call for thieves, prostitutes and pirates of every stripe.