Captain Twill
Academic Fight Circle, Research, Share, Discuss & Debate Maritime History.
1,545 topics in this forum
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- 15 replies
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Greetings once again. I hope that everyone that had it was able to enjoy the three day weekend. Now I am looking for a good place to start, I am interested in the historical accuracy for the GAOP. I have read "Under the Black Flag" and "Women sailors and Sailors Women". What else would be a good book?
Last reply by Brit.Privateer, -
- 10 replies
- 1.1k views
Woven silk shoe with red leather British 1720- 1730 Interesting how the back of the shoe is made. Very similar to what I've seen in reproductions of leather shoes today. (Not saying that is PC or anything.)
Last reply by LadyBarbossa, -
- 4 replies
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Just finished reading "A Hanging Offense: The Strange Affair of the Warship Somers" by Buckner F. Melton, Jr. First impression - WOW. In short, it's the true story of a small American brig in the 1840s. It was on a cross-atlantic training cruise, manned almost entirely by boys ranging from 15 to 20ish. One of the boys, a midshipman (and son of the Secretary of War) allegedly plotted to take over the ship and go pirate - and was subsequently hanged (along with two of his conspirators) without trial. Apparently this was quite the national affair when it happened, but today I doubt the average person has ever heard of it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who hasn't r…
Last reply by Capt. William T. Popples, -
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Shipmates, I'm currently re-reading N.A.M. Rodger's superb THE WOODEN WORLD, AN ANATOMY OF THE GEORGIAN NAVY, and was impressed by the following passage. I thought you might enjoy it, so am passing it on. Although Rodger's book deals specifically with the Royal Navy during the Seven Years War, the perils described would be common to any Sailor during the 18th century. Of course, those of a pyratical bent had the additional (and substantial) concern of being captured and hanged ... "Fire was an acute danger in wooden ships filled with highly combustible stores. Rear-Admiral Boderick's flagship the Prince George was burnt at sea on passage to Gibraltar in 1758…
Last reply by oderlesseye, -
- 72 replies
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My girlfriend has been asking me about what types of things a lady of the period would have, and well to be honest, I haven't the slightest clue as to the material culture items that women would possess. Does anyone have any ideas? Or images they can share the links to or post here? I think she is thinking mostly personal items such as combs, brushes, other grooming items, popular knick knacks of the time (if any), any items a woman might pack while travelling, things she might keep at home. I know this is kind of vague, but I am really not sure how to answer. Thanks in advacne for any help!!!
Last reply by Cheeky Actress, -
- 1 reply
- 492 views
The second most famous pirate flag, after the skull and crossbones, is the bloody flag or pavillon nomme sansquartier. It's well known that it was used by pirates and privateers, but we don't normally associate it with colliers. Well, I stumbled across the bloody flag in the Proceedings of the Old Bailey (indispensable for any GAoP researcher). In 1768, some collier captains who were sick of waiting for London's dockside coal-heavers to unload their ships ordered their sailors to take the coal ashore themselves. The coal-heavers, who saw their bread and butter being taken away, took rather unkindly to this, and threatened to murder the sailors. At least one of the c…
Last reply by William Brand, -
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I've been searching all over the internet for a decent bio about Christopher Moody. He's not listed in my book of pirates, though his flag is. Everywhere I look on the internet, I only find a brief description of his flag, and other unsatisfactory answers, such as a bio about Jesse Mcartney. So, since I'm incapable of finding good results, I'm going to make others do the work for me. If anyone stumbles across information concerning Mr. Moody, I'd be pleased.
Last reply by Fox, -
- 15 replies
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I have many questions that are going to be up and coming through the wondrous resources of me mateys perfect knowledge and the education in maritime history I do not have. I employ any and all within eye shot with challenges as they should come up and will come up fer quite somes times. This be a first one. Ifin Seville Espania were a shipping port and is now inland Spain (on a river) I have read the reason is that the city's host river be silted up so severely that the late 16th century were it last days of being port to sea. Here's me question(s)? What depth would the Spanish Galleons be? (that which be underwater and would cause the river to be non navigateable?)…
Last reply by Diego Santana de la Vega, -
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Well, I admit that when I run out of inspiration on the piratical side, there has been a list of possible things which have happened in the pirate world on one of the sites somebody from the Piracy Pub has, and it has helped me a lot. The list said (I am giving it because I don't remember on whose site it was, and because it helps illustrating my question): - Wench prisoners' auction - taking a ship as a prize - getting a pirate in prison then plotting a prison break - a trial and a foiled execution - a mutiny - dividing shares - duel suppervised by the quartermaster - tavern transactions ...etc. The list was longer, very helpful, and we have been doing some o…
Last reply by Elena, -
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Ah, for those who think they know everything about pyracy I have a quandry. I am but a poor, confused author of my own stories and I could use some help. My hours of research has only given me a few ideas and a twitch. I have browsed these topics, and will most likely spend another couple of hours reading, but I think this might be the best way for me to find what I'm looking for. So if anyone would be kind enough to provide links and/or information on the following topics, it would greatly help me from making a fool of my self and to keep as many accuracies as I can. My preference would be to have them from the middle ages, but I'll take what I can. ~ The titles and…
Last reply by crow, -
- 13 replies
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I was entering my notes from Matthias Gottfried Purmann's excellent period book Chirurgia curiosa and I came across this lovely fairy tale of a prince, a princess, a team of surgeons and a dental fistula. So I thought I'd share it. It even has a moral, like all good fairy tales do. (Sort of.) [Note, I have preserved the period grammar and spelling for you enjoyment.] “August the Seventh 1693. a Great Princess with the Prince her Husband, came to Breslaw out of Austria, who had a Fistula in the Lower Part of the Right Side of her Neck, which gave her Intolerable Pain. The bottom of this Fistula was near the furthermost Teeth, and the Orifice about half a Hand’s Breadth to…
Last reply by Mission, -
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- 452 views
For all those pyratical students of period swordplay who turned at some point to the very knowledgeable Patri Pugliese to purchase a hard-to-find manual - it is my sad duty to report that the good Mr. Pugliese finally lost his battle with liver cancer yesterday, Feb. 11. For anyone who never had an opportunity to deal with Patri or meet him in person, he was exactly what you would imagine him to be based on his name (and yes, it was his real name): delightfully unique, a distinctive gentleman, and seemingly visiting from another time period. In his book "The Secret History of the Sword" J. Christoph Amberger called Patri "an institution among sword enthusiasts" and that …
Last reply by Monterey Jack, -
- 8 replies
- 841 views
Hello, everyone! So after much research and looking over this forum, I have been unable to find an example of a complete period manifest, circa 1720. Everything I try to pursue ends up being a list of names but what I am searching for is an accurate account of what cargo a ship of the period might have on board. Both for goods of business and crew rations [apologies if the latter is called something different]. I am writing about multiple types of vessels; a royal navy 6th rate frigate with a complement of 149 and equipped in a warlike fashion, an English sugar merchant sloop with a compliment of 80, a pirate brig with a complement of 163, and a pirate sloop-of-war with …
Last reply by Mission, -
- 3 replies
- 808 views
I checked the above mentioned biography of William Dampier a few months ago, and foolishly, I forgot to copy down the pharmacopia listed in one of the appendices. Does anyone have a copy of the book that they can scan those pages for me, or know of an online resource of the list? ) I'm looking in your direction, Mission...) I've got an event - a PAYING one - this coming week, and I've found a stash of empty jars that I would like to fill with botanicals standing-in for the real thing.
Last reply by Quartermaster James, -
- 3 replies
- 596 views
I be hopin' there's a sailor out there willin' ta help a lass with a mission. I be writting a historical novel, but I have a problem. No matter where I be searchin' I cannot find an exchange rate for 1700's currency (dubloons, pounds, etc.) to current american money (dollars and cents). I be needen this information soI can be sure the prices and bounties be accurate to the time. Can any of ye help me out?
Last reply by blackjohn, -
- 5 replies
- 1k views
an article I just finished reading relating to clothing in Cambridge Mass. from 1652-1704 listed boots in probate inventories. out of 74 households with 37 estates over 200 l and 36 less than 200l the following info was found. 9 pair over 200 l. 7 pair less than 200 l. of that 4 pr belonged to professionals 2 pr belong to tradesmen 8 pr to tradesmen 2 pr to mariners unfortunately, the paper does not say how many of the 74 were mariners to start with. other tidbits..... 27 deerskin coats- none belonged to mariners though. 20 cloaks or mantles/rockets- one to a mariner (what the heck is a mantle or rocket?) 15 drawers- two to mariners 1 spatterdashes- not a m…
Last reply by callenish gunner, -
- 1 reply
- 531 views
I ran accross the usage of "Filibuster" in the context of pyracy and, being of curious nature, looked up the etymology, to wit: fil•i•bus•ter (fĭl'ə-bŭs'tər) n. 1. a. The use of obstructionist tactics, especially prolonged speechmaking, for the purpose of delaying legislative action. b. An instance of the use of this delaying tactic. 2. An adventurer who engages in a private military action in a foreign country. v., -tered, -ter•ing, -ters. v.intr. 1. To use obstructionist tactics in a legislative body. 2. To take part in a private military action in a foreign country. v.tr. To use a filibuster against (a legislative measure, for example). [From Spanish…
Last reply by Monsignor Fitzwell, -
- 9 replies
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Just for fun I was reading a fashionable study of Jacobite pirates (made by none other than Ed Fox) http://www.academia.edu/772352/Jacobitism_and_the_Golden_Age_of_Piracy_1715-1725 And one question popped in my mind. And I think it is a damn good one This was said there "Even if Jacobitism was rife among Low’s men, it was not among all his consorts. Francis Spriggs’ crew parted with Low in one of their prizes after a disagreement over their rules or “articles.” Richard Hawkins, who was captured by Spriggs and spent some days aboard his ship, observed that “whether they were drunk or sober, I never heard them drink any other health than KingGeorge’s.” Hawkins was wit…
Last reply by Fox, -
- 10 replies
- 893 views
Is there some historical method of securin yer hat to yer person such as a small leather rope or such that would keep yer prized noggin cover from blowin out to sea whilst standin on the deck? Seriously, has anyone thought about this? I know I have heard a few people say to just push it down hard, but if a stiff breeze get under it, it's gonna go flyin.
Last reply by MarkG, -
- 6 replies
- 920 views
I know that Navy captains received from Admirals sealed orders, to be opened at sea at a certain latitude... What would the orders say? I would like to know several possibilities... and yes, I tried to google it but I think knowing what exactly to ask from google would have helped me more . If you have links, I can take and adapt to our story what I see somewhere too, I mean I won't copy it as such... But when I googled, it brought me to something totally different... and contemporary. That the sentinel cannot leave his duty and things Thank you in advance...
Last reply by Elena, -
- 4 replies
- 664 views
Yes, I know, I am asking the strangest questions. I had just remembered a controversy I had with somebody a while ago... and while I had to drop the case in order to avoid an useless quarrell, I still want to know: The privateers who caught a prize, whom are they reporting to? The Admiral (well, rear-admiral, vice-admiral, the Navy authority which is there in the colonies) or the Governor?
Last reply by Fox, -
- 1 reply
- 1k views
Hi all, Here's another blog posting... this time I thought a look at one of today's pirates was a great way to figure out how the pirates we portray might have thought. Living History Blog Entry
Last reply by Fox, -
- 1 reply
- 431 views
Yes, I am crying for help here always when google search doesn't give the expected results. Somebody here always happens to know... Which were the tasks of a rear admiral (chef d'escadre on the French side) in the Age of Sail? Not only in battle, but more the mundane, daily tasks which pin him to his office chair... Thank you in advance!
Last reply by Elena, -
- 6 replies
- 2.3k views
While hunting for a copy of Ned Ward's "Wooden World Dissected" I came across a copy of his "A Trip to New England", published in 1699. The opening part of the pamphlet deals with his journey from Gravesend to Boston and makes interesting and amusing reading.
Last reply by Bright, -
- 4 replies
- 728 views
I wrote on my blog about sailors' possessions during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. I cast the post around analyzing one of the most stereotypical depictions of a sea chest, Billy Bone's from Treasure Island. Figured that would draw the attention of people who are more interested in the pirate aspect of that period's history. http://csphistorical.com/2015/07/07/a-sailors-possessions/
Last reply by Jas. Hook,
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