What is a pirate? "A person who robs or commits illegal violence at sea or on theshores of the sea." ("dictionary.com," 2011)
There were many motives for someone to join the ranks of a pirate ship. Many men and women began a life of piracy, because it was easy money and a high-risk/high-reward job. They solely were in it for the money. Some sea merchants were merely victims in a pirate attack and were given the opportunity to join ranks in order to ensure their safety. Whatever the motive, pirates were viewed as scum and low life hoodlums.
Every pirate ship has a captain, and the captain was crucial to the success of that ship. A sailing master was assigned to navigate the ship. A lieutenant was also selected as second-in-command and was to take charge should something happen to the captain. A quartermaster was also selected to help balance out control on the ship. The quartermaster was in charge of the loot stolen from other ships, determining how much should be and could be taken. No matter the reason for joining piracy, pirates have taken a place in the imagination of young children and adults everywhere. The lives they led have passed legendary stories down through time.