this post was submitted on 08 Nov 2024
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[–] Etterra@lemmy.world 40 points 1 week ago (4 children)

Remember, pirates did fly red flags as well as black ones. The red ones meant you were extra fucked.

[–] Nuke_the_whales@lemmy.world 33 points 1 week ago (1 children)

If you saw a pirate ship with a rainbow flag though , you're in for a mean margarita and a good time.

[–] acockworkorange@mander.xyz 36 points 1 week ago (2 children)

I think they’re still after your booty.

[–] pancakes@sh.itjust.works 9 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

But my booty is a treasure only for me and the crew to enjoy.

[–] bastion@feddit.nl 1 points 1 week ago

All that piracy, all those years, and the memories the captain and crew were building together is the real treasure.

[–] Agent641@lemmy.world 8 points 1 week ago

I hope they don't run me through with their sword

[–] eddanja@lemmy.world 18 points 1 week ago

I think black was like, "We just want your shit and we'll let you live if you surrender" while red was like, "We're gonna kill and then take your shit or take your shit and then kill you, either way you will not survive," kinda thing.

[–] AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world 7 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Sometimes the black one meant they just wanted your hats.

Benjamin Hornigold. No I'm not making that up.

[–] philthi@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

What was the point of the red flags? Or... why would anyone choose to fly a red flag? I'm trying to understand why anyone would broadcast "if we come near you, you're fucked". It seems a bad hunting strategy.

Also, why didn't merchant ships fly red flags to be less bothered by pirates?

[–] Etterra@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Red meant that no quarter would be given, they're going to fucking kill you. Black flag meant they would take your shit without slaughtering you. Granted, fighting back would still get you killed either way. Pirates tended to make examples sometimes, or want revenge, thus slaughter. Of course if they didn't kill everyone, they might press-gang you into service, and now your a pirate too. So red means you're dead.

[–] philthi@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

I get what you're saying, I'm struggling to understand why any pirate would ever want to fly a red flag.