21. Positions on a Pirate Ship

On a Pirate ship there was a command structure and hierarchy of roles.  A democratic system was used and was spelled out by written “Articles of Agreement”.

The following list of standard positions aboard a pirate ship is a who's who and what's what of buccaneers and their shipboard duties.

The Captain was elected by all the crew and could be replaced by a majority vote.  Captains were expected to be skilled and dependable seamen. They were also expected to be bold and decisive leaders. 

The Quartermaster had the same authority as the Captain, except during battle. The crew elected him to represent their interests. He commanded the crew during absence of the Captain. 

The Sailing Master, also known as the Navigator, oversaw the navigation of the ship and were generally well educated. 

The Boatswain, supervised supplies, inspected the ship every morning and reported the condition of the ship to the Captain. He supervised deck activities including handling of the sails and dropping of the anchor. He would lead shore parties when supplies or repairs were needed. Generally the Bosun administered punishment on board. 

The Barber-Surgeon was responsible for the sick and injured.  He performed surgical operations as necessary and dispensed medicine. One of the services typically provided by the Ship's Surgeon was barbering.  

The Carpenter repaired the ship. Sometimes he would also be the surgeon on the ship.  He was also known as a Shipwright. 

The Sailmaker was responsible for maintenance and repairs of the ship's sails and at times made flags. 

The Master Gunner ensured cannons and weapons were in working order. 

The Mates, often 1st and 2nd mates, worked under the Quartermaster, Boatswain or Gunner as an apprentice. Mates outfitted and operated the ship with ropes, pulleys, sails and other rigging as needed. They performed most of the cleaning.

The Powder Monkey is a British naval term used for young men who assisted gun crews. These boys, usually no older than 12-13 years, were forced to perform the most dangerous work on a ship. They were treated harshly, rarely paid, and were expendable.