Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
http://tinyurl.com/2g3f6x

"...Jolly Roger flags were historically flown by pirate ships as a
form of psychological warfare, aimed at inspiring their own men during
battle and intimidating their victims into surrender.

If a ship's crew knew they were under attack by pirates, they might be
more willing to surrender without a fight, handing the pirates an
intact ship with all its cargo.

A Jolly Roger with a red rather than a black background was most
feared as it meant no life would be spared in a ship's capture. ..."

Oh yeah? Well what if the ship they were attacking to plunder, turned
and
unfurled a bigger flag than theirs????