Famous Pirates
Group of local leaders and businessmen that "initiated" their members by having them sign their names in blood.
Who are the Coos Bay Pirates
This anthropomorphic creature was said to accompany Saint Nicholas on his journey--while St. Nick would reward well-behaved children with gifts, this folktale creature would punish the badly behaved ones with birch rods.
Who is Krampus
This word describes loot or plunder pirates take from other ships, but may also describe a body part.
What is booty
This legendary 17th century ghost ship is rumored to be lost at sea, doomed to sail forever but never to port. Reported 18th and 19th century sightings stated the ship glowed with a ghostly light, and was known to be an omen of death to all who laid eyes on her.
What is The Flying Dutchmen
This humiliating punishment was given to a crew-member of a pirate ship when they broke one of ship's articles.
What is flogging
Nick-named for his facial hair, this pirate became the inspiration for the archetypal pirate in most fictional stories.
Who is Blackbeard
This Jewish candle holder is a symbol of the miracle that took place in the Second Temple of Jerusalem--a candle that burned for 8 days in spite of only containing the oil for one.
What is a Menorah
Phrase used to describe someone who doesn't go to sea.
What is a Land Lubber
After being stranded in the Weddell sea for nearly a full year, the 27 man crew led by this famous Antarctic explorer, watched from their camp on the ice as their ship, the Endurance, finally sank.
Who is Ernest Shackleton
During the Golden Age of Piracy, the amount of pirates was so staggering that authorities started branding this letter into the foreheads of pirates in order to more easily identify them.
What is the letter "P"
Initially commissioned by the English government to capture pirates, this famous sailor eventually faced trial and execution for becoming one himself.
Who is Captain William Kidd
In one of the oldest traditions in the world, this pagan celebration of the winter solstice began by cutting down a large oak tree on the shortest day of the year and burning it for 12 days and 12 nights, symbolizing a welcoming back of sunlight.
What is Yule
Term used to describe the bottom of the sea.
What is Davy Jones' Locker
In 1872 this famously mysterious American brigantine ship was discovered abandoned and adrift in the Atlantic. Seaworthy, with provisions intact and both captain and crew's belongings undisturbed, the only thing missing from this ship was its lifeboat--and everyone on it. No one was seen or heard from again.
What is the Mary Celeste
This punishment was given to pirates who committed a serious crime like mutiny, theft, or cowardice. Left on an island with nothing but a barrel of water and a gun, this was not one of the more survivable punishments.
What is marooning
These famous women pirates from Calico Jack's crew escaped execution by "pleading their bellies"--but it is unknown if they were actually pregnant.
Who are Anne Bonny and Mary Read
Currently a household Christmas staple, this item wasn't popularized in America until 1850 by Queen Victoria after a drawing of her with one was released in a popular women's magazine.
What is a Christmas Tree
This flag was typically flown from pirate ships as a warning of attack, and has since become the classic symbol of the pirate.
What is a Jolly Roger
In 1845, two ships departed England to chart the Canadian North West passage. By 1848, all 129 officers and men on board this famous expedition, after being ice bound for over a year, abandoned ship never to be seen or heard from again.
What is the Franklin Expedition
In one of the worst pirate punishments given, the crew member in question would be tied to a rope and thrown overboard, being dragged back and forth along the hull. Even if the victim escaped drowning, they would be pulled back onto the ship severely cut and bruised from barnacles.
What is keelhauling
This controversial explorer, best known for being the first Englishman to circumnavigate the world, captured slaves from African trade ships and sold them to the Spanish--making him a pioneer for the English, but a pirate to the Spanish.
Starting with a religious ceremony in the temple of the God of this holiday's namesake, this Ancient Roman festival took place during the week of the winter solstice to celebrate the oncoming spring harvest.
What is Saturnalia
This agreement was made between enemies to cease fighting in order to have a discussion for agreement.
What is a parley
In 1908, this famous passenger ship was awarded the Blue Ribband appellation for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic. Large and dependable, she completed 201 transatlantic crossings before being struck down by a German U-boat in 1915.
What is the RMS Lusitania
For more notorious pirates that had been captured, a simple trip to the gallows was insufficient. In order to make an example out of them, they were hung in these body-shaped iron cages.
What is a gibbet