Pirate ships, romanticized in tales of high-seas adventure, were typically smaller, faster vessels adapted for agility and combat rather than cargo capacity. Unlike the large, cumbersome merchant ships they preyed upon, pirate ships like sloops, schooners, and brigs were chosen for their speed and maneuverability. This allowed them to quickly overtake their targets and navigate shallow waters, providing an escape route from larger naval vessels. Their decks were often crowded with cannons, often repurposed from captured ships, and bristled with weaponry for boarding actions. The menacing image of a pirate ship, complete with the infamous Jolly Roger flag, was a crucial psychological weapon designed to intimidate potential victims into surrendering without a fight.