Walking The Plank: The Most Famous Pirate Punishment Ever Devised...

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  • Опубліковано 5 лип 2024
  • 'Walking the plank' - it's a phrase that has been closely associated with pirates for hundreds of years, lending itself to countless pop culture references, literature of historical fact and fiction, and even the name of this channel. But, where does that phrase come from? Did pirates really make their captives walk the plank, to a sure and grim watery grave? Or, like many other pieces of pirate culture, was it hauled up from the depths of fiction over the years?
    In today's video, we will be giving you a run down of exactly what this iconic pirate punishment involved. We will firstly examine what 'walking the plank' actually refers to, examining the horrors of this particularly cruel and unusual method of dealing with insubordinate pirates. Following this, we will be taking a look at the fact behind walking the plank, examining the rare historical resources that deal with the subject. We will also be discovering the literary prominence of the phrase, discussing how authors, directors and artists have brought walking the plank to the forefront of our perceptions on golden age pirates. Finally, we will round off with a look at the most common of pirate torture and punishment methods, some of which were fates you wouldn't wish upon your worst enemy.
    Sit back and relax as we take you back to the golden age of piracy to discover what 'walking the plank' really was, and where the phrase came from.
    00:00 Introduction
    01:20 What was ‘Walking the Plank’?
    03:24 ‘Walking the Plank’ in reality
    07:24 ‘Walking the Plank’ in fiction
    09:17 Marooning
    11:45 Outro
    If you enjoyed this video and want to stay updated on our latest content, be sure to hit the like button, subscribe to our channel, and turn on notifications. We're constantly working on new and exciting videos, so stay tuned for more!
    Thank you for your support, and we'll see you in the next video! #walktheplank

КОМЕНТАРІ • 100

  • @badbishop1049
    @badbishop1049 7 місяців тому +22

    Getting Keel Hauled was brutal as hell too

    • @christophermccoy5724
      @christophermccoy5724 7 місяців тому +7

      First time I ever heard keel haul as a child when Yosemite Sam said it to bugs bunny. I didn't understand at the time it but I knew it had to be vicious.

    • @markb8468
      @markb8468 7 місяців тому +3

      ​@christophermccoy5724 ahh...I'm 42 and I still occasionally watch Looney Toons. That's some good stuff!

    • @jamesmcgrath1952
      @jamesmcgrath1952 7 місяців тому +3

      Indeed it was. Even if you could hold your breath long enough the Barnacles stuck to the hull would cut you to ribbons. Nasty.

    • @tedh.8356
      @tedh.8356 5 місяців тому +1

      Most of what pirates did was brutal as hell, I visited a Spanish maritime museum in Barcelona in the 70's and even non pirate life and activities were brutal, try taking a dump on the high seas and it might be your last, just one daily activity not to take for granted.

    • @christophermccoy5724
      @christophermccoy5724 5 місяців тому +1

      @@markb8468 "good night Sam; good night Ralph" the classics.

  • @skyden24195
    @skyden24195 7 місяців тому +10

    The 1996 film, "Down Periscope" features one of, if not the only instance(s), fictional or not, of someone "walking the plank" off of a submarine (U.S. Balo-Class, specifically.)

    • @tedh.8356
      @tedh.8356 5 місяців тому

      So you believe "celluloid" as a fact?

  • @misterknightowlandco
    @misterknightowlandco 7 місяців тому +10

    Whether walking the plank is real or not… it’s a hell of a literary device.

    • @Disneyfan82
      @Disneyfan82 11 днів тому

      One of the most popular things in pirate movies and any franchise related to pirates.

  • @vratyasvakyas6022
    @vratyasvakyas6022 8 місяців тому +6

    I've been waiting for this one! Your namesake!

  • @charliedallachie3539
    @charliedallachie3539 8 місяців тому +10

    Another cruel way they may …or may not have done is attaching weights to the condemned to insure they sank to bottom of the ocean. Although I guess having them float around and drown is worse.

  • @RobinOsiria
    @RobinOsiria 2 місяці тому

    I read the phrase and suddenly wanted to watch a video about how it worked in reality, this hit the spot perfectly, thanks!

  • @Spitnchicklets
    @Spitnchicklets 7 місяців тому +8

    Well, with the knowledge of knowing how the whole thing is going to end, I would go out fighting with everyone. Seems to me like the only way to go out!!!

  • @filthyanimal874
    @filthyanimal874 7 місяців тому +8

    I wish I could make my mother in law walk the plank 😂

  • @Matthew-oj7hg
    @Matthew-oj7hg 8 місяців тому +2

    Yes another very well made video.

  • @gypsydildopunks7083
    @gypsydildopunks7083 8 місяців тому +24

    Seems to me that letting them swim around before getting eaten by sharks or becoming exhausted and drowning in the abyss would be more terrifying.

    • @markshrimpton3138
      @markshrimpton3138 7 місяців тому +4

      Like most seafarers and fishermen of the past they’d most likely be unable to swim.

    • @a-ramenartist9734
      @a-ramenartist9734 Місяць тому

      Sharks never really ate people, you'd die faster from intaking salt water

  • @leffphield
    @leffphield 6 місяців тому

    Videography and coloring skills, nice.

  • @matthewsermons7247
    @matthewsermons7247 7 місяців тому

    I just saw this channel and this was my first video (absolutely subscribed and gave a like, a mark that I am particularly stingy with). When I saw that the title was damn near the same as your channel's name, I looked at the rest of your content to see if it was just a coincidence or a first-ish video. I see you have a number of things I want to learn more about.
    Now, I'm going down the Rabbit Warren of various topics from ancient accounts of piracy in the Mediterranean to the geopolitics involved not just with Western powers but Eastern as well.
    I look forward to watching your existing content and catching what you put out next. Thanks!

  • @rexpayne7836
    @rexpayne7836 7 місяців тому

    Great content and presentation. 🇦🇺 😊

  • @sarah82ish
    @sarah82ish 8 місяців тому +4

    Yo-ho, all together
    Hoist the colors high
    Heave ho, thieves and beggars
    Never shall we die

  • @dannyboyy31
    @dannyboyy31 7 місяців тому +1

    The Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue must have been the inspiration for Viz creating 'Roger's Profanisaurus' 😆

  • @merlapittman5034
    @merlapittman5034 8 місяців тому +7

    Pirates of the Caribbean has ruined this phrase for me. I hear or see "walk the plank" and immediately think of Elizabeth walking the plank, and then I hear in my head, "Elizabeth - hide the rum!" 😂

    • @johnengland8619
      @johnengland8619 7 місяців тому

      I think of Shawn woods video of a mousetrap called walk the plank

    • @recessional5560
      @recessional5560 7 місяців тому +1

      Oh is that what it makes you think of? Haha hahahaha HahahahaHAHAha! ahaha ha ha. Ha. Ha. 🤦🏻

    • @doodlegassum6959
      @doodlegassum6959 7 місяців тому +1

      ​@@recessional5560agreed. I was expecting a climb the greasy pole joke

  • @RobertEskuri
    @RobertEskuri 7 місяців тому +1

    Computer, remove plank.
    -Jean Luc Picard when Worf doesn't fall in the water.

    • @thetowndrunk988
      @thetowndrunk988 7 місяців тому

      That was actually Riker that told the computer to remove the plank. Then Picard told Riker “that’s retract plank, not remove plank”.

  • @TRHARTAmericanArtist
    @TRHARTAmericanArtist 7 місяців тому +3

    The Japanese made American servicemen walk the plank while bayoneting them. The were even worse than pirates.

  • @JustAllinOneResource
    @JustAllinOneResource 7 місяців тому +3

    I would have no idea on which I would want. Walk the Plank or be Keelhauled? I do know Keelhauling is insane. It's one of the worst things which could happen too you. To be honest since I dislike both so better to keep your head down, keep you're mouth shut, do what you're told, and get off the ship when it docks.

  • @NicoleEsque_JPG
    @NicoleEsque_JPG 6 місяців тому

    i'm sure the pirates chummed right before making someone walk the plank, very scary

  • @jitzmaster
    @jitzmaster Місяць тому +1

    3:15 no its not. Drowing happens very fast. that isnt the most painful torture.. You ever hear of the brass bull?

  • @gottfriedosterbach3907
    @gottfriedosterbach3907 7 місяців тому +3

    Even if not restrained many sailors could not swim and being abandoned at sea was not a very good position to be in for those who value their lives. To those who raise their eyebrows at not being able swim as a sailor well truth is it is about the least skill you need when almost any situation you would need it is almost certain death and being able just delays the inevitable, ships skills are what was important.

  • @awkc63
    @awkc63 7 місяців тому +3

    I mean, why would you walk the plank? You're going to die one way or another... Just let them shoot or stab you. 🤷‍♂️ Better off that way.

  • @Arterexius
    @Arterexius 6 місяців тому

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you the same guy that runs the Medieval Madness channel?

  • @tedh.8356
    @tedh.8356 7 місяців тому +7

    I've read Pirate history in many books and all have said that there is no evidence that Pirates ever made anyone "walk the plank" ..

    • @mechanicalfruit9659
      @mechanicalfruit9659 7 місяців тому +2

      🤓

    • @13LesTadO13
      @13LesTadO13 5 місяців тому

      I'd say the entry in the vulgar dictionary disproves that bs

    • @tedh.8356
      @tedh.8356 5 місяців тому

      Question, what's the "vulgar dictionary ? I'm always eager to learn something new and I have never heard of that dictionary..@@13LesTadO13

    • @tedh.8356
      @tedh.8356 5 місяців тому

      There's no written proof by anyone that Pirates made a sailor "walk a plank" it would have been easy enough to throw a person overboard, bs is believing a Hollywood myth...@@13LesTadO13

  • @sirbarringtonwomblembe4098
    @sirbarringtonwomblembe4098 7 місяців тому +4

    I went to a fancy dress party once dressed as a pirate. Someone asked me where my Buccaneers were.
    I replied -
    "Under my Buccan hat!"

  • @dcstealth11111
    @dcstealth11111 7 місяців тому

    on the cruise ship they have walk the plank where you tied up with chain to boat so if you fall you dont fall far you then walk out to edge of plank then you have to lean over edge until chain holds you from falling in..... 16 stories high with nothing between you and water scariest thing ever

  • @benchippy8039
    @benchippy8039 7 місяців тому +2

    I wanna be a pirate when I grow up

    • @ThatBloodyCat
      @ThatBloodyCat 7 місяців тому +3

      Somalia is actively recruiting.

    • @benchippy8039
      @benchippy8039 7 місяців тому +1

      @@ThatBloodyCat i wonder where to send my cv

  • @user-vh7ki7xu7o
    @user-vh7ki7xu7o 7 місяців тому +1

    YAAAAArrrrrrrr matey

  • @JStrawmyre
    @JStrawmyre 7 місяців тому

    Is this the medieval madness guy?

  • @marcuscicero3576
    @marcuscicero3576 8 місяців тому +2

    I can't hear any music in this video. I don't think the audio is correct

    • @BriarRouge
      @BriarRouge 8 місяців тому +3

      I hear it.

    • @unnamedchannel1237
      @unnamedchannel1237 7 місяців тому +1

      So many videos with very loud music ,info video not music video

    • @Lnch4ALion
      @Lnch4ALion 7 місяців тому

      How can you not hear it

  • @jpwilliams6926
    @jpwilliams6926 6 місяців тому

    John Newton, author of Amazing Grace was once marooned by a ship of slavers

  • @Ralphie5023
    @Ralphie5023 7 місяців тому +1

    SKIP the BS to 6:05

  • @vo1non
    @vo1non 7 місяців тому +1

    I’ve read keel hauling was even worse.

  • @RonnyCoalman
    @RonnyCoalman 6 місяців тому

    Alestorm makes it sound a lot more fun. :(

  • @tobiaspain
    @tobiaspain 7 місяців тому +1

    I had a Time Magazine special Pirate addition when I was younger and it said there were no actual accounts of walking the plank other than in fiction. It did reference’ Treasure Island’ as a main source. What to believe, huh?

  • @kr-pm1xg
    @kr-pm1xg 8 місяців тому

    I walked the plank once...
    But it was a nice day..
    ...and a beautiful plank.

  • @shauncorless8965
    @shauncorless8965 7 місяців тому +1

    Keel hauling was worse 😢

  • @zerocool1ist
    @zerocool1ist 7 місяців тому

    Time to visit Davy Jones's locker.

  • @donhancock332
    @donhancock332 7 місяців тому

    Did pirates say " arr" and have parrots sitting on their shoulders?

  • @HiddenHistoryYT
    @HiddenHistoryYT 7 місяців тому +2

    I would just make them shoot me lol

  • @glennwebster1675
    @glennwebster1675 7 місяців тому

    I once planked the walk....

  • @Newjerseyblows
    @Newjerseyblows 7 місяців тому

    They gonna get u

  • @mikefranklin1253
    @mikefranklin1253 7 місяців тому

    I have doubts about this. I thinking marooming was real. Maybe?

    • @SaltyChip
      @SaltyChip 7 місяців тому +1

      Marooning was definitely real and there have been written memoirs from the people that survived years of being marooned before being rescued.

    • @normanpearson8753
      @normanpearson8753 7 місяців тому

      Well Robinson Crusoe...Alex Selkirk in real life was sent to his island , lived there fine for 4 years .

  • @alexanderwhite8320
    @alexanderwhite8320 7 місяців тому

    Walking the plank was best in Jackass movie!

  • @endurance8910
    @endurance8910 6 місяців тому +1

    But why ARE they called pirates ? ..................cos they ARRRRRRRRRRGH 💪💪💪 😀😀

  • @Grandizer8989
    @Grandizer8989 7 місяців тому +1

    There is only one documented case of someone walking the plank. Disney’s Treasure Island probably made it popular

  • @ZValenT
    @ZValenT 7 місяців тому +1

    I didn't know there was a "golden age of piracy". I would have thought we are living in the golden age of piracy with the way we can pirate anything we want at the touch of a button
    (this is a bad joke)

  • @sgauden02
    @sgauden02 8 місяців тому +5

    I think "walking the plank" is a heavily romanticized notion, and most likely fiction. Why bother making someone walk the plank when simply tossing them over the side accomplishes the same thing?

    • @fishrocker95
      @fishrocker95 7 місяців тому +4

      i would imagine the psychological aspect of forcing somebody to walk to their death could be used to deter would be mutineers or subordinates

    • @vicvega3614
      @vicvega3614 7 місяців тому +2

      It shows there's a process to it which would make it more terrifying

    • @sgauden02
      @sgauden02 7 місяців тому

      @@vicvega3614 Pirates used many different types of punishment including keelhauling, and marooning.

    • @FaceInTheCrowd
      @FaceInTheCrowd 7 місяців тому +2

      Perhaps the legal interpretation worked in favour.
      To throw someone overboard is pretty much a direct murder.
      But to put someone on a plank and let them miss while walking or jump at the end means they are involved in their own death and also no specific pirate can be held accountable for it....maybe.

  • @bruceyung70
    @bruceyung70 7 місяців тому +1

    I read this was debunked. It never existed.

  • @1joshjosh1
    @1joshjosh1 7 місяців тому

    Did people only start becoming nice in the last 30 years?

  • @russell2910
    @russell2910 7 місяців тому +1

    Fun fact...the continent of england is named after Capt england because he found it and named it after himself because it reminded him of himself.

    • @kenneth9874
      @kenneth9874 7 місяців тому +1

      Fun fact: England isn't a continent.

    • @russell2910
      @russell2910 7 місяців тому +1

      @@kenneth9874 fun fact, what tf is it then...water?

    • @kenneth9874
      @kenneth9874 7 місяців тому +1

      @@russell2910 an island, isn't that obvious.

    • @russell2910
      @russell2910 7 місяців тому +1

      @@kenneth9874 , fun fact..an island is land, well, so is a continent. Plus you didn't say fun fact, dummy.

    • @russell2910
      @russell2910 7 місяців тому +1

      And I'm right about the guy naming it,too. So don't you dare Google it. Oh yeah....fun fact.