Into Action Under the Pirate Flag

• When pirates took a ship they did not only want treasure but also supplies for keeping their own ship sailing since they could rarely find safe harbor and a merchant willing to sell them goods
• For the most part they took their time plundering a ship
• Most attacks were undisguised and involved only one pirate ship, though some like Bartholomew Roberts and Blackbeard used 3 or 4 ships
• Sometimes they would fly flags of different nations as disguise
• Occasionally pirates would use open boats such as canoes for attacking
• Black and red flags were identified with pirates before the Jolly Roger became traditional (black flag with skull and crossbones)
• “Jolly Roger” might have come from the name Old Roger which was used as a name for the Devil
• Pirates would also force men with specialized skills, such as carpenters and coopers, into joining their crew