Introduction
Piracy has long been romanticized in popular culture from classic films to literature. The life of a pirate may seem exciting, but it’s essential to understand that piracy is illegal and comes with high risks and severe consequences. With that said, let’s dive into the different ways a pirate ship can make money.
Plundering
One of the most well-known and infamous methods of making money as a pirate is through plundering. Pirates would ambush ships, loot their cargo, and steal valuable items. This could include valuable spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, fine fabrics like silk and wool, or precious metals like gold and silver.
Pirates would use numerous tactics to capture a ship, including disguising themselves, attacking at night, and using surprise attacks. They might also threaten the crew and passengers with violence to compel them to cooperate. The rewards for successful plundering were high, but the risks were significant, including damage to the pirate’s ship, injuries or death to the crew, and potential legal consequences if caught.
Ransoming
Ransoming was another common method used by pirates to make money. Pirates would capture crew members or passengers on a ship and demand a ransom from their employer or family for their release. This was a smart way to make money because pirates would not have to risk damaging cargo as in plundering. Furthermore, a ransom could be a way to earn extra income if the financial gain from stealing the cargo didn’t meet the expected threshold.
Sometimes, pirates would hold hostages for months before they received a ransom payment. Failing to pay the ransom would mean that the person held hostage would face torture or death. Pirates targeted crew members and passengers, specifically those wealthy enough to pay their ransom while still leaving them enough money to remain in operation.
Privateering
Privateering was another way pirates could practice their craft while being sanctioned by their government. This practice involved a government commissioning pirates to attack foreign ships and seize their cargo for a share of the spoils. Privateers were looked upon more favorably and typically obtained a letter of marque from their government to carry out their operations. They would receive a percentage of the spoils from the capture, with the rest going to their government.
Advantages of privateering included the backing of a government, which provided protection to the privateers, and reduced the risk of prosecution for piracy. Pirates like Sir Francis Drake and Jean Lafitte turned to privateering after being pardoned by their respective governments.
Salvaging
Salvaging was a practice usually carried out by pirates in the wake of a shipwreck. Pirates could salvage valuable cargoes and wreckage, which could then be sold for a profit. The practice of salvaging became increasingly popular during the 17th century, thanks in part to the rise in trade and shipping.
When a ship was wrecked, pirates would use rowing boats and rafts to reach the site and survey the cargo that could be salvaged. Pirates that engaged in salvaging earned a considerable amount, mainly due to the value of the goods saved from the wreckage.
Smuggling
Another way pirates would make money was by engaging in smuggling. They could purchase goods at a low price and then sell them without paying taxes, thus making a profit. Smuggling was not always associated with piracy, and some pirates would operate as smugglers to avoid the violence and risks associated with piracy.
However, pirates who engaged in smuggling would have to avoid being caught by customs agents who were on the lookout for smuggled goods. Smuggling had many risks, but the rewards were significant at times.
Merchant Raids
Merchant raids were another way pirates could earn a profit. Pirates would board a ship, quickly steal part of its cargo, and then let the rest go. This method is similar to plundering, but pirates would only steal a fraction of the cargo. The goal was to obtain a profit without damaging or completely sinking the attacked ship.
Pirates justified this method by claiming they were taking “prize goods” from enemy ships in a time of war. The danger was nonetheless high, and merchant raids often sparked retaliation from the pirates’ targets.
Trading
Some pirates engaged in legitimate trading instead of relying on piracy. Pirates would legally purchase and sell goods but provide additional services such as escorting traders. These pirates could also obtain discounts on goods and make money with a legal business venture.
However, pirates who engaged in trading would be at a higher risk of being caught than those engaging in any other practice mentioned in this article. Trading was not a popular option as Pirates were unlikely to find support and buyers in other nations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, pirate ships could leverage different methods to make money. Plundering may be the most glamorous and renowned way, but other practices exist, such as ransoming, privateering, salvaging, smuggling, merchant raids, and trading. While piracy may seem like an exciting and adventurous lifestyle, it’s important to note that these methods are illegal and come with severe consequences. Pirates had to be very smart, agile, and cautious to undertake these endeavors successfully.
It’s essential to note that piracy was and is still a crime punishable by death in many nations worldwide. Pirates are a relic of the past, and even those in modern times face significant challenges to execute their practices.
That said, piracy still persists in various parts of the world today, but it’s unlikely that it can offer you a legitimate pathway to a profitable career.
