The Real Life of Pirates: What It Was Really Like on a Pirate Ship
When you think of pirates, you probably picture daring treasure hunts, wild sword fights, and colorful characters like Jack Sparrow from the movies. Hollywood makes pirate life look like nonstop excitement and adventure. But the truth is very different. The real life of pirates—especially during the Golden Age of Piracy from about 1650 to 1720—was harsh, risky, and often miserable. Let’s take a closer look at what life was really like for these famous sea robbers.
Who Became Pirates?
Pirates didn’t start out as pirates. Most of them were ordinary sailors who worked hard for little pay. They turned to piracy because it seemed like an easy way to get rich. For many, it was more about survival than adventure. Some were former privateers—sailors who had official permission from their governments to attack enemy ships during wartime. When peace came, these jobs ended, but some sailors kept raiding ships on their own, turning into pirates.
Others became pirates because they were captured by pirates themselves. Once caught, they often faced a simple choice: join the crew or be killed. Some people chose piracy out of loyalty to friends or family who were already pirates. Women were usually left out of pirate crews, but a few, like Mary Read and Anne Bonny, disguised themselves as men to join up. Escaped enslaved people sometimes found freedom among pirates, since pirate crews often cared more about skill and bravery than background or race.
Pirate crews could be very diverse, with people from many different countries and walks of life. They usually made their own rules, which were surprisingly democratic. Pirates voted on important decisions, chose their captains, and shared loot fairly. There were strict rules against stealing from each other. These rules helped pirates work together as a team, which was the only way to survive at sea.
Food and Drink: A Pirate’s Diet
Life on a pirate ship was not glamorous, especially when it came to food. Pirates had no refrigerators, so fresh food spoiled quickly. Most of what they ate was preserved or dried. Typical meals included salted or dried meat, which was tough and often had to be boiled into a stew just to make it edible. There was also hardtack, a hard biscuit made from flour and water. Hardtack often had bugs in it, so pirates would tap it on the table to knock the bugs out before eating.
If they were lucky, pirates might get burgoo—a kind of porridge made from oats or grains—or fermented vegetables like sauerkraut. Fresh fruits and vegetables were rare, only available when the ship stopped at a port or captured a supply ship. Sometimes, pirates kept chickens or goats on board for eggs, milk, or meat. If they had time, they might catch fish to add to their meals.
Drinking water was another big problem. Stored water quickly became stale and unsafe to drink. Instead, pirates drank beer, rum, or grog—a mix of rum, water, lime juice, and sugar. Grog was not only safer to drink than water, but the lime juice also helped prevent scurvy, a disease caused by lack of vitamin C. When supplies were very low, pirates made soup from animal bones or even chewed on leather straps.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
Pirate ships weren’t clean places. Freshwater was reserved for drinking, so there was little left for washing. Bathing was rare. Sometimes, pirates were lowered over the side of the ship on ropes to rinse off in the sea, or they might wash themselves during rainstorms. Most of the time, though, they stayed dirty and salty from the ocean air.
Pirates usually wore the same clothes for months, only changing them if they managed to steal new ones. The captain might have a private toilet, but ordinary sailors had to use a platform at the front of the ship, where the sea would wash away waste. This spot, called “the head,” was dangerous in rough weather.
Ships were full of rats, lice, and fleas, making life even more uncomfortable. Disease spread quickly in these cramped, dirty conditions. Some pirates tried to keep clean by trimming their beards or using makeshift toothpicks, but overall, poor hygiene was a huge problem.
Where Did Pirates Sleep?
Sleeping arrangements on a pirate ship depended on your rank. The captain got the biggest and most comfortable cabin, usually at the back of the ship. Officers had small rooms, and everyone else slept together in common areas. Most pirates slept in hammocks, which swung with the ship and helped keep them from rolling onto the floor during storms. Hammocks could be packed away during the day to make more room for work.
There wasn’t much privacy. Crews worked in shifts, so only half the pirates slept at a time. The sleeping quarters were crowded, damp, and stuffy, with little fresh air. Pirates kept their few personal belongings in sea chests, which doubled as seats or small tables.
Dangers and Hardships
Fighting other ships wasn’t the only danger pirates faced. Life at sea was full of hazards. The food was poor, so many pirates got sick from lack of nutrition. Scurvy, caused by a lack of vitamin C, was common unless they managed to get citrus fruits. Pirates who visited tropical ports might catch diseases like malaria or yellow fever.
Crowded ships and poor sanitation meant that illnesses like dysentery, typhus, and tuberculosis spread quickly. If a pirate was wounded in battle, the ship’s surgeon might be the only one to help. These surgeons often had little training and few supplies, so injuries and infections could be deadly. Pirates also faced punishment for breaking ship rules, and mutinies sometimes broke out if the crew wasn’t happy with their leaders.
Despite the dangers, pirates often looked out for each other. Many pirate codes promised fair shares of loot and compensation for injuries. Still, most pirates didn’t live long lives—storms, battles, and disease took a heavy toll.
A Modern Pirate Adventure
If you’re fascinated by pirate life but don’t want to face all the dangers, you can experience a taste of adventure on a pirate cruise. Sunshine Scenic Tours in St. Pete Beach, Florida, offers family-friendly pirate-themed boat trips. Their ship can hold up to 46 guests, and you can book private events by calling 727-423-7824. All the fun, with none of the hardship—the perfect way to explore the world of pirates!
