LAW403:Pirate
Punishment
Laws Against
the Code
Instructor:
Dandy McGee
Marooning:
One form of punishment pirated served on another is to maroon
them. Marooning a pirate for some infraction of the Pirate
Code of Conduct/violation of the Pirate Articles would be to
leave the violator on an uninhabited island. The practice was
a penalty for crewmen, or for captains at the hands of a crew.
A marooned man was set on a deserted island, often no more
than a sand bar. He would be given some food, a container of
water, and a loaded pistol so he could commit suicide if he
desired. The outcome of marooning was usually fatal, but
William Greenaway and some men loyal to him survived being
marooned, as did pirate captain
.
The chief practitioners of
marooning were
17th
and
18th century
pirates, to such a degree that
they were frequently referred to as "marooners." Many
pirate articles
specify marooning as a punishment for cheating one's fellow
pirates or other offenses. In this context, to be marooned is
euphemistically to be "made governor of an island,"
Keelhauling:: This
punishment usually resulted in death. The offender was run up
and down the deck or rigging until he collapsed or fell to
death. some pirate crews would stand along the path the runner
traveled and would prick the offender with knives and sharp
objects.
Walking the Plank:
Although this punishment is popular in books and movies it was
seldom done. One know pirate captain to use this method of
punishment was used by Stede Bonnet.
Over the Side :
Most sailors could not swim and feared drowning or being fed
to the sharks. That fear made throwing offenders over the side
to the sharks and great pirate punishment. Offenders of murder
were known to have been strapped to the victim and tossed
overboard.
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