#318 got several pirate items. I.e. a bottle, that let you target a ship. That ship's captain has to make a will save, if he fails, the ship (with it's whole crew) gets trapped in the bottle and is under your command. You can get it in or out as you seem fit IIRC.
Oh and why don't you get yourself a real shortsword: In A&EG, there is a Sword of graceful something that uses dex on damage instead of str.