Bottling

By Crusader1307

Only a ruthless Pirate could have dreamt up THIS cruel and barbaric form of Torture/Execution. Actually a form of Bludgeoning, "Bottling" was a slow and painful way to die. A Captive was tied up with rope with his arms immobilized at his sided. On the back, he was attached to a Windlass (or Pulley), and hauled up to 3 or 6 feet. Crewmen would then throw empty glass bottles at the Victim - normally starting with the lower portions of the body first. Thus "Sport" (often gambled on), would gradually move up to the Upper body (torso). Broken bones, blunt force trauma, contusions and of course, lacerations - in all their gory forms, would present themselves. The head was the final target. Although some died outright, as with some strong constitutions- some survived EVEN this. Duly lowered to the Deck, the Victim was "run through" with Cutlass or Sword. In the event a victim passed out from pain, a bucket of seawater (salt), or the old standby, vinegar, was poured on them. A word about 16th thru 18th Century glass bottles. They were NOT made of the same glass compositions used today. Most common bottles were fragile (although The Wealthy could afford stronger ones for fermenting purposes). Bottles were wrapped in cloth and still encased in straw for transport (also placed with specially made wooden bottle crates). Therefore the "Sport" of Bottling was easily accomplished.