Pirates in the past relied on their ships to carry them to different locations to carry out their piracy. As they sailed through the seas and oceans, their ships occasionally got damaged, particularly from violent storms or during battles with other ships. One of the most common forms of damage was holes in the ship’s hull, which could threaten the safety of the entire crew.
So,? Let’s explore the different techniques they used.
The first thing a pirate crew did when they discovered a hole in their ship was to assess the damage. If the hole was not extensive, they would look for planks, boards, or pieces of wood from the ship’s broken furniture or other parts of the ship. They would then cut it to the shape needed and nail it over the affected area.
In case the damage was more significant, pirates would use a technique called “piecing and cringing”. This technique involved fitting boards and covering them with narrow overlapping strips called cross-pieces. Next, the crew would cover the inside of the hull with a blanket soaked in hot tar mixed with resin. The tar and resin mixture functioned to fill the hole by hardening when cooled.
Another method used by pirates involved utilizing concrete. They would mix concrete by combining lime, sand, and gravel in specific measurements to create the correct consistency. The concrete would then be poured into the hole and left to dry. This method was particularly effective in ensuring that the hole was properly sealed.
A final method utilized by pirates was called “wedging”. Wedging required the crew to use wooden wedges to secure the damaged area. The wedges are then fitted tightly into the hole to prevent water from entering the ship. The crew would then make use of different ropes and cloths to secure everything together, ensuring that the wedges remained tight against the affected area.
In simple terms, repairing holes in pirate ships required a lot of ingenuity and resourcefulness. Pirates often did not have access to the full range of tools and repair materials, so they had to make do with whatever materials they found on their ships or in the environment. Despite this, their makeshift repairs were usually strong and effective, allowing pirate ships to continue sailing and raiding stolen treasures from other vessels.
In summary, pirates repaired holes in their ships by piecing and cringing, using concrete, wedging or replacing the affected areas with boards. Their techniques may not have been as sophisticated as what modern-day industrial ships use, but it was enough to keep them sailing successfully for most of their journeys at sea.