To fall over suddenly in an uncontrolled manner. The keel is the longitudinal timber ridge along the middle of the hull to which the rest of the boat’s timbers are fixed. It acts as a counterbalance for the mast and keeps the boat stable in conditions that would otherwise cause the boat to capsize. ‘Keeled over’ referred to ships which had rolled on their side in turbulent waters and were in danger of sinking, or were laid on their side on land with their keels showing.
This flag is believed to have been flown by Ned Lowe and his consorts, Charles Harris of the 8-gun sloop the Ranger and Francis Spriggs, Lowe’s ex-quartermaster, of the schooner the Delight. Charles Harris was captured by Peter Solgard of HMS Greyhound in June 1723. Spriggs fate is uncertain, but some believe he was marooned together with Ned Lowe. “Black Ensign with a white Skeleton in the middle of it, with a Dart in One Hand striking a bleeding Heart, and in the other an Hourglass.” – Captain Johnson, A General History of the Pyrates.
To make preparations for an approaching difficult situation. This nautical term originally meant to close off the entrances to the lower part of a ship using tarpaulins secured with wooden battens in preparation for impending bad weather conditions. The hatches were designed with wood grating to promote fresh air circulation below deck and needed to be covered in bad weather to keep the interiors dry.
One of the most blood-thirsty pirates active in the Caribbean, in the Azores, and along the coast of North America. He was active between 1721 and 1724, his fate being disputed by historians. The above flag was used by the notorious Edward Lowe from July 1723 during the time he called himself admiral and is taken from a description by Charles Johnson in A General History of the Pyrates – “… and hoists a black Flag, with the Figure of Death in red, at the Main-topmast Head …”
This phrase is used to describe someone who is unstable, unpredictable, or uncontrollable. This term has its roots in Naval warfare in the Age of Sail. Due to their weight the cannons on a sailing ship, which were generally referred to as guns, were secured to prevent them from moving about with the waves of the sea or to prevent damage from the enormous recoil when fired. A cannon that had become loose of its restraints and was rolling dangerously about the deck could cause immense damage to the vessel and crew.