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O, P, Q and R |
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overhaul - (1) To slacken a line. (2) To gain upon in a chase; to overtake.
parley (sometimes incorrectly "parlay") - A conference or discussion between opposing sides during a dispute. The term was used in "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" as part of Pirate law.
parrel (also parral) - A sliding loop of rope or chain by which a running yard or gaff is connected to, while still being able to move vertically along, the mast.
Pieces of Eight - Spanish silver coins worth one peso or eight "reales.," sometimes literally cut into eight pieces, each worth one real.
pillage - To rob of goods by force, especially in time of war; plunder.
pink - A small sailing vessel with a sharply narrowed stern and an overhanging transom.
pinnace - A light boat propelled by sails or oars, used as a tender for merchant and war vessels; a boat for communication between ship and shore.
piracy - Robbery committed at sea.
pirate - One who robs at sea or plunders the land from the sea without commission from a sovereign nation; the opposite of a privateer.
Pirate Round - Route from North America to the Indian Ocean.
Plate Fleet - Fleet of Spanish ships used to carry silver and gold to Europe.
plunder - To take booty; rob.
poop deck - The highest deck at the stern of a large ship, usually above the captains quarters.
port - (1) A seaport. (2) The left side of the ship when you are facing toward her prow.
pressgang - A company of men commissioned to force men into service such as on a vessel, specifically a pirate ship.
Privateer - a privateer is a sailor with a letter of marque from a government. This letter "allows" the sailor to plunder any ship of a given enemy nation. Technically a privateer was a self employed soldier paid only by what he plundered from an enemy. In this, a privateer was supposed to be above being tried for piracy. A privateer is theoretically a law-abiding combatant, and entitled to be treated as an honorable prisoner if captured. Most often, privateers were a higher class of criminal, though many turned plain pirate before all was said and done.
provost - The person responsible for discipline on board a ship.
prow -- The "nose" of the ship.
quarter - derived from the idea of "shelter", quarter is given when mercy is offered by pirates. To give no quarter is to indicate that none will be spared. Quarter is often the prize given to an honorable loser in a pirate fight. If enraged, however, a pirate would deprive the loser any such luxury.
quarterdeck - The after part of the upper deck of a ship.
red ensign - A British flag.
reef - An underwater obstruction of rock or coral which can tear the bottom out of a ship.
reef sails - To shorten the sails by partially tying them up, either to slow the ship or to keep a strong wind from putting too much strain on the masts.
rigging - The system of ropes, chains, and tackle used to support and control the masts, sails, and yards of a sailing vessel.
rope's end - Another term for flogging. ie: "Ye'll meet the rope's end for that, me bucko!"
rum - An intoxicating beverage, specifically an alcoholic liquor distilled from fermented molasses or sugar cane.
run a rig - To play a trick.
run a shot across the bow - A command to fire a warning shot.
rutters - Detailed instructions listing all that is known about a place or rout.
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