The Long-Lost Secret Diary of the World's Worst Pirate Page 7

Keelhauling

  The punishment of being dragged across the rough underside of a ship. This could happen while a ship was run up on a beach, but sometimes it was done underwater for extra horribleness.

  Marooning

  A punishment where a pirate would be left on a desert island to die alone.

  Mast

  Tall poles that rise vertically from ships.

  Moses’ Law

  The belief that a victim should be given thirty-nine lashes with a whip, as any more could be fatal. Of course, in reality any number of lashes can kill someone.

  Pieces of Eight

  A silver coin, worth eight reales, which was an old Spanish unit of currency.

  Port

  The left side of a ship if you’re facing forward.

  Privateer

  Seafarers who have been granted the right to attack and plunder ships by a government.

  Scurvy

  A disease caused by a lack of vitamin C. It was common in pirates who ate no fruits or vegetables.

  Sloop

  A small sailing ship with a single mast. Some pirates used these for hiding in narrow inlets where bigger ships couldn’t follow.

  Starboard

  The right side of a ship if you’re facing forward.

  Stern

  The rear of a ship.

  Topsails

  Square sails set above the lowest sails.

  Yard

  The horizontal pole of wood fixed to a mast to support sails.