People became pirates for various reasons. Sometimes, the harsh conditions of life at sea led honest seamen to desert or mutiny their ships. These men often turned to piracy to survive. Others sought riches or adventure. Many privateers drifted into piracy when wars between nations ended. Pirates readily accepted outcasts from traditional societies, perhaps easily recognizing kindred spirits, and they were known to free slaves from slave ships and welcome them into the pirate fold.

Most pirates lived on ships called schooners or galleys. Schooners were small and fast. They had two masts and galleys had three. The crew slept in the middle of the ship and the captain slept in the stern. Supplies such as food, water, gunpowder, and of course treasure were kept in the hold.

Below deck it was smelly and overcrowded. There was hardly enough room for the crew to sleep and they spent most of their time on the deck. The food was awful and the cook was usually a pirate who lost his arm and couldn't do anything else on the ship. The menu aboard the pirate ship usually consisted of pickled meat and dry biscuits. When they landed on an island they hunted for new game and looked for fresh water.

When the weather was nice there wasn't a lot to do. The pirates usually took the time to fix damaged ropes and sails. In bad weather or when they were in pursuit of a potential target, they were very busy. The pirates would have to climb the rigging to change the sails, prepare the cannon, and keep a lookout on the main mast.

Cleaning a ship was very important. A dirty hull would slow the pirates down when they were in pursuit of a target. To clean a ship, they would drag the vessel onto a beach and scrape the hull. They would scrape off barnacles, weeds, and other items that might be attached. 

Beyond the popular myth, most pirates probably led miserable lives. They were often drunk and quarrelsome. Many pirates died of wounds or disease. Some were shot or marooned by their own crews or captured and sentenced to death by authorities.