Why did pirates not drink water?

Stagnant drinking water

When the pirates discovered America and made longer journeys, the pirates quickly found out that their drinking water would become stagnant, so the pirates started adding alcohol, so the water would be safer to drink. Water, rum, and lime was the pirate's well-known drink of choice.

How did pirates have enough water?

During the Golden Age of Piracy, it was very difficult to find fresh and clean drinking water, even on dry land. For pirates on the open sea, it was almost impossible to transport and maintain an adequate supply of fresh drinking water onboard. Because of this, many seamen drank grog, beer or ale as opposed to water.

How did pirate ships get fresh water?

Eventually a ship would have to land somewhere and search for a water source to refill their supplies. This could be a river or a small freshwater spring and it could then take several days to fill up each barrel and ferry it back to the ship.

Why did pirates drink rum instead of water?

Thus, pirates began to add rum to their water to be able to drink it. As a bonus rum also seemed to have some medicinal properties. Pirates drank it to prevent diseases such as scurvy, the flu, and to eliminate stress. Rum was inexpensive and it quickly became popular among sailors and in the pirate community.

How did old sailors get water?

The earliest European sailors used barrels laced with alcohol to keep algae from growing. Whenever a ship reached land, replenishing its fresh water was usually the most important task. By the 1700s, inventors had created distillation plants that used a heat source to boil seawater.

Why Did Pirates Drink Rum? (Pirate History Explained)

Why is poop deck called poop deck?

We quote verbatim: “The name originates from the French word for stern, la poupe, from Latin puppis. Thus the poop deck is technically a stern deck, which in sailing ships was usually elevated as the roof of the stern or “after” cabin, also known as the “poop cabin”.

What did sailors do for fun?

Traditionally hard-drinking and tough, seamen made the best of their cramped living quarters, enjoying games of dice and cards, telling tales, playing musical instruments, carving, drawing, practising knots or model making.

Why do pirates say Arrr?

Have you ever wondered why pirates say "Arrr"? We answer this burning question with help from National Geographic and American Profile. Pronounced also as “Yarrr!” and “Arg!”, the word “Arrr!” is traditionally said by pirates when responding "yes" or when expressing excitement.

Did pirates really drink a lot?

Strong alcohols such as rum and brandy were often used on long voyages to disinfect stagnant water, and to sweeten the flavour. So you see; pirates were always drunk because even their water had alcohol in it.

Do pirates drink coffee?

Surprisingly enough, tea and coffee were drunk aboard pirate ships. But, like Captain Jack, most preferred rum.

How did pirates poop at sea?

In sailing ships, the toilet was placed in the bow somewhat above the water line with vents or slots cut near the floor level allowing normal wave action to wash out the facility. Only the captain had a private toilet near his quarters, at the stern of the ship in the quarter gallery.

Did pirates ever shower?

Pirates Had No Option But to Bathe With Seawater

But bathing didn't involve freshwater; that was saved for cooking. When it came time for pirates to clean themselves, they most likely jumped into the ocean. Despite the abundance of seawater, bathing wasn't a common occurrence amongst the pirates.

What did pirates smell like?

It smells like musty chlorinated water and synthetic fog (like that from a fog machine).

Where did pirates pee?

Urination was either into buckets or directly over the side. Some men did urinate against the side of the ship or onto the deck. If they were high up in the rigging it would be impractical to climb down to carry out a simple bodily function. Look out below!

Why are pirates so dirty?

Oil, lubricant, and soap were all derived from whale blubber, something pirates may have seized or made themselves on board. However, making soap out of whale blubber was incredibly unpleasant. Hunting a whale was exhausting work, and processing the animal was smelly and difficult.

How did pirates not get sunburn?

Ideally, sailors would deal with sunburn by not getting it. Traditional dress for sailors would include loose pants, long-sleeved shirts and broad-brimmed hats, and sailors would stay out of the sun under awnings and other shade if possible.

How did sailors live off rum?

The Day Rum Rations Ended

On July 31, 1970, now known as Black Tot Day, naval sailors enjoyed their last daily tot ration. Many wore black armbands and poured their ration into the sea as a symbolic "burial" of the much-loved tradition.

Why did pirates have parrots?

The colorful and talkative parrots were treated as a form of entertainment and recreation. All of these characteristics pirates had, because having a parrot as a pet, missing arms, eyes and hands, was very common among sailors in that time period. And almost all pirates had previously been sailors.

What alcohol did sailors drink?

The original rationed drink for sailors was a gallon of beer, but it, too, could spoil quickly at sea. Many ships began using rum as a ration around 1655. It didn't rot in barrels and took up less space than beer, allowing more room for cargo.

What does a pirate call his wife?

matey (or mate)

Did pirates really bury treasure?

Pirates. Pirates burying treasure was rare. The only pirate known to have actually buried treasure was William Kidd, who is believed to have buried at least some of his wealth on Gardiners Island near Long Island before sailing into New York City.

Why do pirates wear earrings?

Earrings were also worn for superstitious reasons. Some pirates were convinced that wearing an earring would improve or even cure bad eyesight, as they believed that the precious metals in an earring possessed magical healing powers. Another tale was that pierced ears would prevent seasickness.

What is a female sailor called?

bluejacket. boater. mariner. mate.

How did sailors bathe?

To bathe, sailors needed three coin-like bath tokens worth 10 yen each plus an antiseptic paper wipe for their genitals. One bath ticket could fill a small basin, so the sailors had to wash their whole body and groom with just three bowls of water totaling four liters.

What did pirates do all day?

Pirates main means of living was to steal from others.

Treasure like gold and jewels, yes, but most of the time pirates would steal things to aid in their survival. Food, drink, and supplies for sailing would make their way off of one ship and onto a pirate's ship in no time!