Pyrate Archery

[thunderbuster]

I have read the Spanish made use of archers armed with bows and crossbows up in the rigging (in order to prevent sail fires caused by firearms).

Does anyone have other info on new world mariners or Pyrates being knowledgable/proficent with archery?

Would yall consider pyrates "farby" if they also had archery equipment supplementing their arms inventory?

Fair Winds,

thunderbuster

[Dutchman]

the below information references the wreck of the Mary Rose, a wee bit early. This did not come from the wrecks web site tho, so buyer beware. Maybe you can gleen some info out of this.

"On July 19 1545 the Mary Rose sank a mile and a quarter from Portsmouth harbour. Henry VIII was then 54 and had one more year to live himself. The Mary Rose sank in only 40 feet (5 meters) of water soon after she had engaged the French invasion fleet. The ship sank so quickly that only about 30 of the ~415 crew actually survived. The French ships had oars and were more manoeuvrable than the English ships. It is thought that the Mary Rose was overloaded with men and ordinance and when executing a turn she heeled over and sank within seconds. The deck was covered with netting to protect the crew from arrows and falling timber and to restrict boarding actions. It is thought this net contributed to the high mortality. Many soldiers would have been wearing various forms of armour which also would have reduced their chances of survival.

The Mary Rose lay beneath the Solent for 437 years before she was raised on Monday, October 11, 1982. Nearly one whole side of the ship was completely intact with many artefacts preserved aboard.

Archers.

The mary Rose is thought to have had about 350 archers aboard when she sank. Records show the ship was carrying 250 bows, 400 sheaves of arrows (24 arrows per sheave), and six gross bow strings. Artefacts recovered include168 longbows and around 3000 arrows. Until this find only one example of a Tudor arrow existed.

Bows measured between 1.84 and 2.06 meters long and draw weight is estimated at 40-80kg (88-176 pounds) at 76cm draw. Arrows were made of poplar and were about 76cm long and 13mm thick. Fletchings were feathers about 15cm long glued on with a green glue (containing verdigris) and also bound on with thread. We have reconstructed some arrows based on the information gathered on the wreck – we have given our arrows bodkin heads for armour piercing. Using a 50 pound recurve bow our reconstructed arrows fly about 80M and pack a fair wallop even at that range.

Based on the equipment found on the wreck it is believed that the arrows would have had a maximum range of 150-200 meters. Arrows would have arrived at their target at about 130 kilometers per hour (80mph). A 60g war arrow (our reconstructions are ~80g) can penetrate 1.6mm of steel plate if fitted with a bodkin (long tapering) head. A skilled archer could shoot 12 arrows per minute – a rate of fire not equalled by firearms until last century.

If all 350 archers were shooting at once they could theoretically loose 70 arrows every second. Even a few volleys like that would have ripped through any men on the deck of an enemy ship. The Mary Rose carried 9600 arrows. At maximum shooting rate the ships stores of arrows could be depleted in only about 2.5 minutes. This obviously would not happen in real combat but is interesting theory.

Soldiers.

Records suggest some 250 soldiers were aboard the ship; many of whom were probably archers as well. Soldiers would have been of various branches. Weapons and armour would have been varied and included pikes, bills, halberds, spears (from the fighting tops), swords of varying type, bucklers, various hand guns, hailshot guns etc. Armour also would have varied and many men would likely have supplied their own. Mail was very common, especially under leather jerkins. Other armour would likely have included leather, Jack (coat of plate), partial plate etc. Morian style helmets would have been most common, as would Burgonets etc. Many soldiers would have just worn the hats of the period (wool, felt, leather etc)."

[Quartermaster James]

I have read the Spanish made use of archers <snip>

I believe this is related to this thread: https://pyracy.com/index.php?showtopic=15717

[blackjohn]

I have read the Spanish made use of archers armed with bows and crossbows up in the rigging (in order to prevent sail fires caused by firearms).

Does anyone have other info on new world mariners or Pyrates being knowledgable/proficent with archery?

I know there is record of some dude having a crossbow show up in his probate.

http://nautarch.tamu.edu/portroyal/archives/Inventories/Vol3/3-228.htm

Would yall consider pyrates "farby" if they also had archery equipment supplementing their arms inventory?

Just tell everyone you are James Lemings, and there is documented proof that you owned a crossbow.

[Capt. Sterling]

"Artefacts recovered include168 longbows and around 3000 arrows."

make that 167 bows...one was destroyed supposedly by a very clumsy actor...

Edited October 30, 2009 by Capt. Sterling

[thunderbuster]

Thank ye one and all!!! Your knowledge is amazing. Fair Winds, thunderbuster

[Silver]

may 24 1572 drake sailed from england for the spanish main the town of nombre de dios. they were provisioned for a full year and armed to the teeth with cutlasses, pikes, pistols, muskets even bow and arrows. they march into the town with a flourish of trumpets, drums and a shower of flaming arrows. not the golden age, but "pirates" "the spainish main" time life books.