Pirates! Legend- Common Misconceptions Legend Fact Pirate Legend Main General History Pirate Fiction Pirate Legends Common Miscon. Pirate Treasure    Many pirate facts have been transformed, through time and fictitious novels, into pirate misconceptions. The hook, the peg-leg, and the parrot on the shoulder, are all common stereotypes which we have detailed below: [Pirate Hooks] [Pirate Peg Legs] [Pirate Pets (parrots)]    Pirate Hooks: Probably originated from the story "Peter Pan", specifically from the character "Captain Hook". It’s true that quite a few pirates lost a hand in battle, and it was not uncommon for a pirate to search for a useful substitute, which would be handy around the ship. A hook was relatively easy to construct from onboard ship materials, so it is highly probable (not certain) that in some cases it was used as a temporary or permanent prosthetic hand. A hook could be easily constructed from a wooden bowl placed over the stump with a hook fashioned from extra ship metal by the blacksmith. This combination could be strapped to the arm with some leather.    Peg Legs: Probably originated from the story "Treasure Island", from the character "Long John Silver". The character does not a use a peg leg in the story; his use of crutches has been misrepresented and through time and Hollywood productions this pirate legend was formed. In real life, however, this stereotype holds a good deal of truth; although its use is exaggerated in the minds of many people. If a pirate were injured in the leg, amputation would in most cases be the only option to save him. If the pirate crew were educated enough, they would call upon the cook to cut the injured limb off (to prevent Gang Green, or infection). Doctors were uncommon aboard pirate ships, so often the ship’s cook would be called upon in the case of amputation. However, such crude operations were seldom successful, as the inexperienced "surgeon" could not stop the bleeding which followed. Although much less likely, the pirate might also die from infection. A substitute was later required for the missing leg, which was usually any free material on the ship, a long piece of wood, for instance. Main Menu: Communications Knowledge Check Pirates! Help Pirates! Main Extra Resources Map of Pirates! Tour of Pirates! Bibliography About Pirates!

Parrots: Probably became widely thought of from the story "Treasure Island", specifically from the character "Long John Silver". There is a deal of controversy on this subject as many people suspect that pirates were much too practical to deal with pets. A parrot permanently stationed on the shoulder of a pirate would regularly generate a mess. As well, a parrot might get in the way of work, or be consumed during hard times at sea. So it is highly unlikely that having a parrot, or any pet for that matter, was too popular with pirates... Maybe some pirates dealt with their pet's messes just like some people today? Pirate Humor: An able-bodied seaman meets a pirate in a bar, and they take turns recounting their adventures at sea. Noting the pirate's peg-leg, hook, and eye patch, the seaman asks, "So, how did you end up with the peg-leg?" The pirate replies "We was caught in a monster storm off the Cape and a giant wave swept me overboard. Just as they was pullin' me out a school of sharks appeared and one of 'em bit me leg plum off!" "Blimey!" said the seaman. "What about the hook"? "Ahhhh...," mused the pirate, "We was boardin' a trader ship, pistols a 'blastin' and swords a'swingin' this way and that. In the fracas me hand got chopped off." "Zounds!" remarked the seaman. "And how came ye by the eye patch"? "A seagull droppin' fell into me eye," answered the pirate. "Ye lost your eye to a seagull dropping?" the sailor asked incredulously. "Welllll..." explained the pirate, "..it was me first day with the hook."     Visit the rest of our site by following this link to the Pirates! Main Page.