Pirates have captured the imagination of people for centuries with their adventures on the high seas seeking treasure and fighting battles. But did these swashbucklers of old have a furry four-legged companion by their side? Let’s dive into the history books and find out!
The role of dogs on ships
Throughout history, dogs have played many roles aboard seafaring ships. Some key jobs dogs performed on ships included:
- Rat catchers – rats were a huge problem on ships as they not only ate the food supplies but also spread disease. Dogs were useful for keeping the rodent population under control.
- Ship’s mascots – dogs were seen as bringing good luck and were companions to the crew on long voyages.
- Alarm systems – some dogs were trained to bark at unfamiliar sights and sounds, alerting the crew to potential threats.
- Guards – dogs would help guard against stowaways, thieves and other potential hazards on board.
Given this history of dogs at sea, it seems plausible pirates may have also made use of them aboard their ships as well for such purposes.
References to dogs in pirate history & folklore
When we look at written references and folklore about famous pirates through history, there are some mentions of canine companions:
- Blackbeard – Stories are told that this notorious 18th century pirate may have kept dogs on board to help guard his plunder.
- Jack Rackham – Also known as “Calico Jack”, this pirate captain in the 1700s apparently had a little terrier that would sit on his shoulder on the ship.
- Anne Bonny – An infamous female pirate in Rackham’s crew, she was known to get attached to dogs and request them aboard ships she sailed on.
- Mary Read – Bonny’s fellow female pirate companion also seemed to appreciate dogs and have them as companions at sea.
So from early pirate lore, it seems at least some well-known pirates liked having dogs join them on their maritime adventures.
Practicality & challenges of having dogs on pirate ships
While stories indicate some pirates did have dogs on ships, there were also some practical factors that may have limited their presence:
- Space constraints – Pirate ships were often already cramped, so having many dogs on board would have taken up precious space.
- Food & water needs – Feeding and providing water for dogs would have put additional strain on already limited food supplies.
- Mess & waste – Dog hair, waste and smell could have added to general uncleanliness of pirate ships.
- Fighting hazards – In battle, dogs could get underfoot or take risky actions that put the crew in danger.
For these reasons, pirates likely had to be selective about which dogs they allowed on ships and in what numbers.
Evidence from archeological findings
The remains of actual pirate ships provide some physical clues about pirate dog presence:
- In 1996, the wreck of the Whydah, a ship captained by pirate Sam Bellamy, was found. Archeologists uncovered no dog remains among the artifacts.
- The wreck of Blackbeard’s ship Queen Anne’s Revenge was discovered in 1996. Dog bones were not found among the relics.
- In the Caribbean, the wreck of a 17th century Dutch merchant ship was found that had been raided by pirates. A few dog skeletons were identified.
From these findings, it seems pirates themselves may not have kept many dogs on ships. But some merchant vessels they encountered likely had a few dogs aboard.
Accounts of pirates encountering dogs
There are a few historical accounts of pirates interacting with dogs on land:
- When pirate Henry Morgan attacked Puerto Principe, Cuba in 1668, Spanish accounts mention his men shooting and killing guard dogs during the raid.
- In 1671, privateer Henry Morgan and his pirates were said to have eaten dogs when they ran low on provisions after sacking Panama.
- When pirate Edward Low captured ships, there are stories of him killing any small dogs on board.
From these reports, it seems some pirates saw dogs more as a source of food or threat to be dispatched rather than as friendly companions.
The pirate’s life & dogs
The tough, transient lifestyle of a pirate may have also discouraged keeping dogs:
- Being always on the move meant no stable home for raising dogs.
- Frequent storms, battles and chaotic activity could endanger a dog’s safety.
- Long journeys at sea provided no place for a dog to exercise or relieve itself.
- Having to scramble for limited food meant even less to share with a pet dog.
The pirate’s life was likely a difficult one for dogs to happily participate in compared to life on more stable land environments.
Famous fictional pirate dogs
While factual history provides limited evidence of real pirate dogs, some popular fictional portrayals have cemented the idea of pirates having canine companions:
- Pintel & Ragetti – This comic duo of pirates in the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise have a small dog named “Poochie” in some scenes.
- The Sea Rogue – In this 1890 pirate adventure novel by Maxwell Gray, the protagonist Simon Tempest has a mute dog named Rçveur that joins him on his ship.
- Treasure Island – Robert Louis Stevenson’s iconic 1883 novel features a sea cook named Long John Silver with a loyal dog called Sea Dog.
While not necessarily historically accurate, these fictional examples help fuel imaginations about swashbuckling pirates having faithful hounds at their sides.
Conclusion
The historical record provides limited evidence that real-life pirates consistently kept dogs on ships as crewmates and companions. While some references and lore suggest certain pirates had a fondness for dogs, practical challenges and inconveniences likely prevented most ships from hosting many canines on board. However, fiction has cemented the idea of pirate dogs in popular culture. And stories of pirates encountering dogs on land show the animals played some part in their adventures. While not exactly common, it seems at least a few seafaring scoundrels may have had a dog along for the ride.
