Pirates and Privateers

There is often confusion between the terms “ pirate”, “ buccaneer,” and “privateer”. Pirates and buccaneers do on occasion sail as privateers.
Pirate – A pirate is any seafarer , man or women , who commits acts of robbery on the high seas.
Buccaneer – Also known as freebooters, buccaneers were particularly those English and French pirates who were based on the island of Tortuga and in Port Royal, Jamaica, in the 17th century.
Privateer- A privateer is a man who sails with a commission known as a letter of marquee. These letters are issued by governments and permit the privateer to take and make prize of enemy ships.

Terms that are used by Mariners and Pirates:
AHOY- Hello
AYE, AYE-Yes
AVAST-Stop
CAST OFF- Let go
BOW-The front of a ship
AMIDSHIPS-In the centre of a ship
FOUNDER- Sink
QUARTERS- Living areas
ME HEARTIES- My crewmates
GANGWAY-Get out of the way
HEAVE-AWAY- Pull up the anchor
KNOT-1 nautical mile per hour
FORE – At the front of the ship
FATHOM- Six feet
STAND BY- Get ready
YO-HO-HO - And a bottle of rum

(The Sea Journal of Captain William Lubber)