Have you had trouble with skeleton ships?

[Scottish]

My method was to hit it with lightning outside my compass area, then use different cannon balls on it until it sunk. After hitting it with lightning, it will turn and come straight at you, then you can use anything you want to sink it. Usually you can sink it before it ever turns to fire the first shot.

I am using the method described by MacIronhawk now because i don't have lightning on my little pirate yet. It seems to work well.