Code of Conduct  

All pirates knew that discipline was necessary on board the ship. Each crew member had to swear to abide by the rules before boarding the ship. The rules below were set down by Captain John Phillips and are known as the Pirate Code of Conduct.

1.  Everyone shall obey orders.

2.  Booty will be shared out as follows:  1 share to every ordinary seaman; 1 1/2 share to the captain; 1 1/4 share to the master carpenter, boatswain and gunner.

3.  Anyone keeping secret of attempting to desert will be marooned.  He may take only a flask of gunpowder, a bottle of water, a gun and some shot.

4.  The punishment for hitting a man is 40 lashes (whips) on the bare back.

5.  Anyone being lazy or failing to clean his weapons will lose his share of booty (money).

6.  Everyone may vote on all important decisions.

7.  Everyone may have a share of captured drink and fresh food.

8.  Anyone found stealing form another member of crew will have his ears and nose slit open and be set ashore.

9.  Gambling with cards and money is forbidden.

10. The penalty for bringing a woman aboard in disguise is death.

11. No one may leave the crew until each man has made 1,100 pounds.

12. The compensation of losing a limb is 800 silver dollars.