And as tame as movies and books make pirates seem, they aren't completely false. Pirates such as Blackbeard actually existed. Also, similar to 'Pirates of The Caribbean', a pirate code existed:
- Article One
Every man shall obey civil command; the captain shall have on full share and a half in all prizes. the Master, Carpenter, Boatswain, and Gunner shall have one share and quarter. - Article Two
If any man shall offer to run away, or keep any secret from the Company, he shall be marroon'd with one bottle of powder, one bottle of Water, one small Arm, and shot. - Article Three
If any Man shall steal any Thing in the Company, or game, to the value of a piece of Eight, he shall be Marroon'd or shot. - Article Four
If at any Time we should meet at another Marrooner (that is, Pyrate) that man shall sign his Articles without Consent of our Company, shall suffer such Punishment as the Captain and Company shall think fit. - Article Five
That man that shall strike another, whilst these Articles are in force, shall receive Moses's Law (that is 40 Stripes lacking one) on the bare Back. - Article Six
That Man that shall snap his Arms, or smoak Tobacco in the Hold, without cap to his Pipe, or carry a candle lighted without lanthorn, shall suffer the same Punishment as in the former Article. - Article Seven
That Man that shall not keep his Arms clean, fit for an Engagement, or neglect his Business, shall be cut off from his Share, and suffer such other Punishment as the Captain and Company shall think fit. - Article Eight
If any man shall lose a joint in time of Engagement, shall have 400 Pieces of Eight: if a limb, 800. - Article Nine
If at any time you meet with a prudent Woman, that Man that offers to meddle with her, without her Consent, shall suffer Death.
More often than not, pirates would determine the nationality of a ship, and raise a flag from that nation to appear friendly, then at last minute they would raise Blackbeards flag. Crews often surrendered without a fight when they saw Blackbeards flag. If they didn't surrender after warning, the pirates moved in, heading for the sailor at the ships wheel first. The pirates would then snare the ship with hooks, pull it close, and hop aboard. Once the attack was over, pirates would take the passengers and crew hostage and ransack the rooms and cabins looking for gold, silver or jewellry. This was a scene repeated multiple times by Blackbeard and his crew.
The majority of merchant ships didn't carry much in the way of treasure, mostly grain, molasses and kegs of rum, they also carried ropes, tools and ammunition. The stolen goods were divided up amongst the pirates with the captains and certain officers recieving a larger share.
Blackbeards throat was slashed by a navy seaman during an attack from the Royal Navy of Ocracoke, sent out by Alexander Spotswood to rid the oceans of Blackbeard.
Blackbeards was beheaded and his head suspended from the bow of a sloop as a warning to other pirates. Blackbeards treasure was hunted for, but never found, the secret of his treasure died with him, if it even existed.
Pirates are still thriving in the 21st century, and doing rather well. The more successful, known as the Somali Pirates, hold more than a dozen hijacked ships.
While cruise ships have been hijacked by pirates in the past, it's unlikely that a cruise ship is in danger. They usually steer clear of pirate infested waters, and the sheer size and amount of passengers is a lot for one pirate crew to attempt to hijack. They usually head for smaller ships, or yachts.
So pirates are still at large, only now-a-days, they have weaponry that's a match for the military.
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