How did pirate captains keep order on their ships?

Most pirate ships were a democracy, with shares for each crew member. The largest shares went to the captain and first mate.

The captain was normally elected by the crew, and usually selected who would be officers. As long as he kept the bulk of the crew happy, he kept his job.

The most highly regarded jobs on a pirate ship were normally the best gunner and the navigator. One or the other of them often got the job.

Murder, mutilation and beatings for opposing the will of the captain.
Extra rations, lighter duty, and extra booty for complying with the will of the captain.
Power over one’s peers and captured slaves for enforcing the will of the captain.

I’d leave my captain the fuck alone if I had to face this. I mean, seriously.

But besides that kind of thing… see above.

Actually flogging was not a big part of pirate life. Flog too many of the crew and they would vote in a new captain, with the old captain having a long swim to shore.

Not a big part, but it happened. You’re not gonna pull shit out of turn in the middle of the ocean if you risk severe pain or punishment. Obvi, you can’t be whipping them to say hello! everytime you pass one.

But to maintain order behind a democratic system or whatever, there’s gotta be a step up.

I wasn’t trying to say it happened regularly just that it happened. And I would be scared of it.

Probably by carrying a big sword…

Not much differently than the do on Deadliest Catch
A pirate captain isn’t that different than a regular boat captain. The main difference would be that they knew how “rough” of a bloke the guy could be.

How else do you think “walking the plank” entered our cultural vocabulary?

Again, not exactly a daily occurence, but a consequence which would doubtless give would-be mutineers pause to reconsider.

:)