Pirate Captains were expected to be bold and decisive in battle as well as skilled in navigation and seamanship. Above all they had to have the force of personality necessary to hold together such an unruly bunch of seamen.
Quarter Master
Above all, he protected the Seaman against each other by maintaining order, settling quarrels, and distributing food and other essentials. If the pirates decided to keep a captured ship, the Quartermaster often took over as the Captain of that ship until they disposed of it.
Sailing Master
This officer was in charge of navigation and the sailing of the ship. He directed the course and looked after the maps and instruments necessary for navigation. Since the charts of the era were often inaccurate (or nonexistent) his job was a difficult one. Many Sailing Masters were forced into pirate service from captured vessels.
Boatswain
The Boatswain supervised the maintenance of the vessel and its supply stores. He was responsible for inspecting the ship and it's sails and rigging each morning, and reporting their state to the captain. The Boatswain was also in charge of all deck activities, including weighing and dropping anchor, and the handling of the sails.
Carpenter & Surgeon
The Carpenter was responsible for the maintenance and repair of the wooden hull, masts and yards. He worked under the direction of the ship's Master and Boatswain. The Carpenter's duties were to check the hull regularly, placing oakum between the seems of the planks and wooden plugs on leaks to keep the vessel tight.
Master Gunner
The Master Gunner was responsible for the ship's guns and ammunition. This included sifting the powder to keep it dry, prevent it from separating, insuring the cannons and ordnance were kept free of rust, and that all weapons were kept in good repair. A knowledgeable Gunner was essential to the crew's safety and effective use of their weapons.
First Mate:
On a large ship there was usually more than one Mate aboard (hence the title "First Mate"). The chief mate is responsible to the Captain for the safety and security of the ship. Responsibilities include the crew's welfare and training in areas such as safety, firefighting, search and rescue. The Mate also took care of hoisting the anchor, and during a voyage he checked the tackle once a day. If he observed anything amiss, he would report it to the ship's Master. Arriving at a port, the mate caused the cables and anchors to be repaired, and took care of the management of the sails, yards and mooring of the ship.
Able-Bodied Sailor
The common sailor, which was the backbone of the ship, needed to know the rigging and the sails. As well as how to steer the ship and applying it to the purposes of navigation. He needed to know how to read the skies, weather, winds and most importantly the moods of his commanders.
Rigger
The sailors assigned aloft to work the running rigging and to furl/release the sails were referred to as Riggers. Although there were not any truly "safe" jobs, due to the constant risk of falling from a slippery spar high above a rolling deck this was certainly one of the most dangerous.
Cabin Boy
A young boy who worked aboard pirate ships as a servant. Many cabin boys made their way aboard ship by being kidnapped by pirates or were runaways looking for a means of escape.
Powder Monkey
A role filled by young boys on ship in which they run gunpowder from below decks (such as the orlop) to the cannon crews during battle.
Swab or Swabbie
Although not technically a rank, a person who mopped the decks using the swab was called a swabbie. It has also become a slang phrase to describe someone informally whom you do not hold in any high regard, i.e., "Avast, ye scurvy swab!"
Pirate Captains were expected to be bold and decisive in battle as well as skilled in navigation and seamanship. Above all they had to have the force of personality necessary to hold together such an unruly bunch of seamen.
Quarter Master
Above all, he protected the Seaman against each other by maintaining order, settling quarrels, and distributing food and other essentials. If the pirates decided to keep a captured ship, the Quartermaster often took over as the Captain of that ship until they disposed of it.
Sailing Master
This officer was in charge of navigation and the sailing of the ship. He directed the course and looked after the maps and instruments necessary for navigation. Since the charts of the era were often inaccurate (or nonexistent) his job was a difficult one. Many Sailing Masters were forced into pirate service from captured vessels.
Boatswain
The Boatswain supervised the maintenance of the vessel and its supply stores. He was responsible for inspecting the ship and it's sails and rigging each morning, and reporting their state to the captain. The Boatswain was also in charge of all deck activities, including weighing and dropping anchor, and the handling of the sails.
Carpenter
& Surgeon
The Carpenter was responsible for the maintenance and repair of the wooden hull, masts and yards. He worked under the direction of the ship's Master and Boatswain.
The Carpenter's duties were to check the hull regularly, placing oakum between the seems of the planks and wooden plugs on leaks to keep the vessel tight.
Master Gunner
The Master Gunner was responsible for the ship's guns and ammunition. This included sifting the powder to keep it dry, prevent it from separating, insuring the cannons and ordnance were kept free of rust, and that all weapons were kept in good repair. A knowledgeable Gunner was essential to the crew's safety and effective use of their weapons.
First Mate:
On a large ship there was usually more than one Mate aboard (hence the title "First Mate").
The chief mate is responsible to the Captain for the safety and security of the ship. Responsibilities include the crew's welfare and training in areas such as safety, firefighting, search and rescue.
The Mate also took care of hoisting the anchor, and during a voyage he checked the tackle once a day. If he observed anything amiss, he would report it to the ship's Master. Arriving at a port, the mate caused the cables and anchors to be repaired, and took care of the management of the sails, yards and mooring of the ship.
Able-Bodied Sailor
The common sailor, which was the backbone of the ship, needed to know the rigging and the sails. As well as how to steer the ship and applying it to the purposes of navigation. He needed to know how to read the skies, weather, winds and most importantly the moods of his commanders.
Rigger
The sailors assigned aloft to work the running rigging and to furl/release the sails were referred to as Riggers. Although there were not any truly "safe" jobs, due to the constant risk of falling from a slippery spar high above a rolling deck this was certainly one of the most dangerous.
Cabin Boy
A young boy who worked aboard pirate ships as a servant. Many cabin boys made their way aboard ship by being kidnapped by pirates or were runaways looking for a means of escape.
Powder Monkey
A role filled by young boys on ship in which they run gunpowder from below decks (such as the orlop) to the cannon crews during battle.
Swab or Swabbie
Although not technically a rank, a person who mopped the decks using the swab was called a swabbie. It has also become a slang phrase to describe someone informally whom you do not hold in any high regard, i.e., "Avast, ye scurvy swab!"