34. Pirate Pastimes

Monotony, homesickness, and tension in limited spaces were part of daily life on long voyages.   When not working men at sea needed diversions during what was known as “idle time”.  

Some of the diversions include:

Scrimshaw is carving of elaborate scrollwork and engravings into whale bone or ivory.

Decorative Ropework is the maritime art of creative knot-tying generally incorporating macramé. 

Reading, Writing and Artwork.  Many ambitious sea lads would often spend this time studying navigation skills or learn to read and write.  Many wrote poetry and doodled drawings. 

Playing Games on both ship and in port was a good way to pass time, make some money and gain companionship.  Board games and games of chance, such as cards and dice were typical pastimes.  Pirates were also known to seek the advice of fortune tellers and Blackbeard was rumored to have used voodoo practice, he learned in the Caribbean, to seek his fortune.

Tobacco and Alcohol were favorite pastimes. Smoking tobacco in a clay pipe was the most popular form of tobacco use amongst pirates.  When below deck or around gun powder it was common to chew tobacco leaves or use snuff inhaled up the nose. 

As far as pirates and alcohol in 1726 Captain Uring summed it up by writing;  “Their chief delight is in drinking; and when they broach a quarter cask or a hogshead of Bottle Ale or Cyder, keeping at it sometimes a week together, drinking till they fall asleep; and as soon as they awake at it again, without stirring off the place.”

At this stop you can view many gaming artifacts as well as authentic Scrimshaw and Ropework.