The Aurora
Layout
The Aurora is made up of 5 and a half accessable decks with a ballast below to help with stablising the ship, helping with control and controlling the draft.Bilge
A thin section of the ship reserved as a collection point for stray water on board. Either from rain or damage to the ship the water will drain into the bilge where it can be manually pumped out of the ship to prevent flooding.Orlop (Hold)
A large, mostly open, section of the ship where the ships cargo and stores would be kept. This included anything pilfered during the trip. There is also an area towards the front of the ship for the brig, where those captured would be held in generally poor conditions.Lower
Another deck mostly used for excess storage. It is also home to small rooms for some of the officers. Most of the food is held within this deck. Where the Sweeps are locatedGun
The gun deck holds the majority of the large guns on board the ship. The powder room is to the front of the ship where all the gun powder is stored and a portion of the cannon balls for ease of access. This is one of the locations that non-officers may choose to sleep.Main
The front of the main deck is covered by the forcastle and houses the kitchen an enclosed area for eating. There is a small amount of space here where the cooks can store the food they plan on using for the day, or grow small sections of spices if they have been so lucky. The back of the main deck is covered by the quarterdeck and houses a few more officer rooms, as well as areas where the crew may sleep, or where meetings are held when other locations prove too small. The rest of the deck is open and is often the busiest area on the ship, serving as another location where people may sleep. The Main mast extends up from the middle of the main deckQuarterdeck and Forecastle
Just below the deck of the forecastle is home to the sick bay, as well as a room for the master Surgeon (or if they are so inclined the surgeon on duty). The deck itself is normally bare except for things needed for the foremast. Just below the deck of the quarterdeck is the officers rooms and the navigation room housing all the maps and charts that the navigators may need. The Quarterdeck house the wheel and was generally kept clear of non essential crew to ensure ease for the helmsmen who was right before the Mizzenmast at the wheel.Poop Deck
A small section of the deck raised right at the stern of the ship useful as an additional lookout spot or when the crowsnest was too dangerous. Just below the deck of the poop deck is the captains cabin.The Code
Ⅰ. Every man shall obey his commander in all respects as if the ship were his own, and each commander shall treat those he commands with respect as if they were his own commander.Ⅱ. The lights and candles are to be put out at eight o'clock at night: if any of the crew, after that hour still remained inclined for drinking, they were to do it on the open deck.
Ⅲ. He that shall be guilty of Drunkenness in time of Engagement shall suffer what Punishment the Captain and Majority of the Company shall think fit.
Ⅳ. No striking one another on board, but every man's quarrels to be ended on shore, at sword and pistol. That Man that shall strike another whilst these Articles are in force, shall suffer what Punishment the Captain and Majority of the Company shall think fit.
Ⅴ. He that is found Guilty of Gaming, or Defrauding one another, shall suffer what Punishment the Captain and the Majority of the Company shall think fit.
Ⅵ. That Man that shall snap his Arms, or smoke Tobacco in the Hold, without a Cap to his Pipe, or carry a Candle lighted without a Lanthorn, shall suffer what Punishment the Captain and the Majority of the Company shall think fit.
Ⅶ. He that shall be found Guilty of Cowardice in the time of engagements, shall suffer what Punishment the Captain and the Majority of the Company shall think fit. If any Man shall offer to run away, or keep any Secret from the Company, he shall be marooned with one Bottle of Powder, one Bottle of Water, one small Arm, and Shot.
Ⅷ. If any Man shall steal any thing in the Company to the value of a Piece of Eight, and the finder not deliver it to the Quartermaster in the space of 24 hours he shall suffer what Punishment the Captain and the Majority of the Company shall think fit.
Ⅸ. That Man that shall not keep his Arms clean, fit for an Engagement, or neglect his Business, shall be cut off from his Share, and suffer such other Punishment as the Captain and the Company shall think fit.
Ⅹ. He that shall be found guilty of taking up any Unlawful Weapon on Board the Privateer or any other prize by us taken, so as to Strike or Abuse one another in any regard, shall suffer what Punishment the Captain and the Majority of the Company shall see fit.
Ⅺ. That no man shall go on shore till the ship is off the ground, and in readiness to put to sea.
Ⅻ. If at any time you meet with a prudent Woman, that Man that offers to meddle with her, without her Consent, shall suffer present Death or what Punishment the Captain and Majority of the Company shall think fit.
ⅩⅢ. He that shall have the Misfortune to lose a Limb in time of Engagement, shall have the Sum of Six hundred pieces of Eight, and remain aboard as long as he shall think fit.
ⅩⅣ. The fund of all payments under the articles is the stock of what is gotten by the expedition, that is, No prey, No pay. The Captain and Quartermaster is to have three full Shares; the First mate, Second mate, Third mate and Fourth mate is to have two Shares and one Half; The Master Helmsman, Master Surgeon, Master Rigger and Master Gunner is to have two full Shares; The Helmsmen, Surgeon, Rigger, Gunner, Lookout, Carpenter and Navigator is to have one Share and one Half.
Propulsion
The Aurora is predominately powered by wind, though it does come with sweeps that can be used when needed.
Weapons & Armament
The Aurora has 8 Demi-Canons and 30 Demi-Culverin split evenly on each side of the ship.
Communication Tools & Systems
Most onboard communication is done either through other crew members, getting one of the lower ranked crew to be a runner with the information, or simply yelling across the deck if the message is short enough, or urgent enough. Other forms of communication come through written letters passed along when onshore or signal flag and flares if they are out to sea.
Creation Date
Built in October 1466
Owner
Owning Organization
Current location
Width
50ft | 15m
Length
190 ft | 58m
Height
80ft | 24m (30ft Draft, 50 ft above water) Main mast an additional 150ft | 46m
Complement / Crew
Cargo & Passenger Capacity
500 to 1200 tons of cargo
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