THE PIRATE CODE OF CONDUCTAll sailors know that discipline is essential on board ship. Pirates were no exception. Here are some of the rules set down by pirate captains John Philips and Bartholomew Roberts. Before they set sail, every crew member had to swear to abide by them.
• Everyone shall obey orders.
• Booty will be shared out as follows: 1 share to every ordinary seaman; 1 1/2 shares to the captain; 1 1/4 shares each to the master carpenter, boatswain and gunner.
• Anyone keeping a secret or attempting to desert will be marooned. He may take only a flask of gunpowder, a bottle of water, a gun and some shot.
• The punishment for hitting a man is 40 lashes on the bare back.
• Anyone being lazy or failing to clean his weapons will lose his share
of booty.
• Everyone may vote on all important decisions .
• Everyone may have a share of captured drink and fresh food .
• Anyone found stealing from another member of crew will have his ears and nose slit open, and be set ashore .
• Gambling with cards and money is forbidden.
• The penalty for bringing a woman aboard in disguise is death.
• Musicians may have only one day off a week.
• No one may leave the crew until each man has made £1,000.
• Booty will be shared out as follows: 1 share to every ordinary seaman; 1 1/2 shares to the captain; 1 1/4 shares each to the master carpenter, boatswain and gunner.
• Anyone keeping a secret or attempting to desert will be marooned. He may take only a flask of gunpowder, a bottle of water, a gun and some shot.
• The punishment for hitting a man is 40 lashes on the bare back.
• Anyone being lazy or failing to clean his weapons will lose his share
of booty.
• Everyone may vote on all important decisions .
• Everyone may have a share of captured drink and fresh food .
• Anyone found stealing from another member of crew will have his ears and nose slit open, and be set ashore .
• Gambling with cards and money is forbidden.
• The penalty for bringing a woman aboard in disguise is death.
• Musicians may have only one day off a week.
• No one may leave the crew until each man has made £1,000.
• The compensation for losing a limb is 800 silver dollars
