Who Were Pirates? Sailors of the High Seas

Long ago, ships sailed across the ocean carrying gold, spices, and silk. Some sailors did not want to buy these things -- they wanted to take them! We call these sailors pirates. One famous pirate, Blackbeard, tied lit ropes into his beard so smoke curled around his face and scared other sailors before a fight even started.

- What a pirate was and when pirates sailed the seas - What life on a pirate ship was like - One real pirate you can learn about: Blackbeard - How sailors today stay safe from pirates with rules and laws

A pirate was a sailor who attacked other ships to steal their cargo, instead of trading fairly for goods. Most trading sailors bought and sold things like sugar, cloth, and tools. Pirates just took them. The time when pirates were most active is often called the 'Golden Age of Piracy,' and it lasted from about 1650 to 1730.

Pirate ships were crowded and busy. On many pirate ships, the crew actually voted for their own captain -- that was unusual, since navies at the time did not let regular sailors choose their leaders. Food was simple and often hard, like a dry biscuit called hardtack and salted meat that would not spoil quickly. Storms and sickness were two of the biggest dangers pirates faced at sea.

Blackbeard's real name was Edward Teach. He captained a ship called Queen Anne's Revenge and sailed along the American coast around 1716 to 1718. In 1718, the British Navy defeated Blackbeard near Ocracoke Island in North Carolina, ending his time as a pirate.

Today, countries have navies and laws, called maritime law, that help keep sailors safe on the ocean. Piracy still happens in a few small parts of the world, but it is rare compared to long ago. Modern ships also use radios and tracking devices so they can call for help quickly if anything goes wrong.