The Different Types of Pirate Ships Through History

Nothing screams “pirate” more than a billowing black sail, a Jolly Roger hoisted high, and a rowdy crew on deck. A pirate without a ship was unheard of (until the invention of the internet, at least). At sea, a Captain’s greatest ally was his vessel. The choice of pirate ship often defined both his success and reputation.

Throughout history, pirate ship types evolved dramatically. From bulky wooden galleons with dozens of cannons to nimble sloops built for speed, the ships used by pirates adapted to the times. But what is a pirate ship called? Whether you picture Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge or Black Sam Bellamy’s Wydah Galley, the Golden Age of Piracy gave us the legendary famous pirate ships that still capture our imagination.

What Makes a Pirate Ship?

Contrary to popular belief, a typical pirate ship was rarely built for piracy. Instead, most pirate ship classes began life as merchant or naval vessels before being captured and repurposed. In other words, where did pirates get their ships? They took them.

Edward “Blackbeard” Teach’s legendary vessel, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, started as a Bristol merchant ship called the Concord. Captured by French privateers and renamed La Concorde, it finally fell into Blackbeard’s hands in 1717, where it became one of the most feared big pirate ships of its era.

Pirates weren’t picky—records show they sometimes used canoes, dinghies, or other small pirate ships. However, to inspire fear, most sought out larger vessels. That’s why the most common pirate ship types were captured warships or merchant ships modified for speed and firepower.

Galleon vs. Sloop: The Most Common Pirate Ship Types

Of all types of pirate ships, none are as iconic as the galleon and the sloop.

The galleon was a large and heavily armed vessel designed for naval warfare. With three to four masts, multiple decks, and crews of hundreds, galleons were often Spanish treasure ships loaded with riches. They were among the most sought-after ships used by pirates due to their cargo and sheer size. Famous examples include Captain William Kidd’s Adventure Galley and the Wydah Galley, a 28-gun galleon that remains the only fully verified real pirate ship wreck ever discovered.

In contrast, the pirate sloop was a smaller but faster ship. A typical pirate sloop ship had a single mast and could be manned by fewer than 100 men. What sloops lacked in size, they made up for in speed—earning them the reputation as the fast pirate ships of the Caribbean. The sloop was the most common type of pirate ship because it allowed for quick escapes and surprise attacks. Infamous pirates such as Stede Bonnet (aboard the Revenge) and Anne Bonny (aboard the William) relied on pirate sloops to carry out raids.

Unusual Pirate Ships

Not every vessel fit the mold of a galleon or sloop. Some pirate ship types by size were more unusual. For instance, Bartholomew “Black Bart” Roberts commanded a French brigantine called the Good Fortune—slightly larger than a sloop but still nimble. Others, like George Booth’s Speaker, were enormous, ornate ships outfitted with dozens of guns.

There were also pirate schooners and other sailing vessels adapted for raids. These pirate ship types were less common but showcased how flexible pirates were when it came to choosing their tools of terror.

A Modern Working Pirate Ship

While we often imagine pirate sail boats only in history books, some modern recreations let us step back in time. The Royal Conquest, a pirate ship in Madeira Beach, is modeled after a historical galleon. This modern pirate ship holds up to 46 passengers and offers daily cruises from John’s Pass. It’s a reminder that while the Golden Age of Piracy is long past, the allure of pirate boats and real pirate ship names still captivates us today.