capn'rob

I looked at the Facebook photos. The work I saw was so well done. I hope to some day achive that degree of quality.

What is it about people in the coastal states that they can't go west? Sometimes I think that there is some sort of space warp - the east coast is closer to Ohio than Ohio is to the east coast. I can speak only for myself. Leaving the coast means traveling to areas above sea level. This will not do. After a certain point in time ones circulatory system becomes in sync with the tides or something. I believe that CT,RI and MA are perpendicular to that vertical line.

How about Fore t'gansl, stunsl.

Is there a 7th Annual Fells Point Event planned ?

Dear Momma and Poppa, These photos are just fantastic! As always you make that effort that preserves the wonder of this "Thing" we all do! I can't say "activity" or many other terms used to describe "reenactment" because this has become so much more. I have grown so fond of so many people with that love we share with family. It has become that strong a bond that when Hampton or Beaufort approaches I get that feeling I used to waiting for my favorite cousin to arrive! When some can't make it, how sorely they are missed. Momma and Lily were truly the Glue for FTPI. Poppa, you've removed anyone's ability to deny their acts of insanity but most of all preserved our memories of another family reunion that was filled with fun. We can all go on to thank many others for their involvement and input. To all of you, I am Grateful and mean you no slight. I just wish to thank Momma and Poppa. Somehow I had to add Lily just because. With this year ending I do wish to thank you all for the good times we've shared. From the in depth conversation to the passing smile. God Bless you all and may this New Year be one of Good Health, Happiness and Prosperity! X ( Dutch, his mark)

Good and Kind Sir, It is with graditude that I say many thanks to ye for this fine Gift. Such a great Gift and so fitting for the Season. I hope to be able to glean some music to present at the Tavern in the Fort at the Fort Taylor Pirate Invasion in Key West next year. True period music would just be so much more appropriate for the setting at the gatherings I attend. I have been collecting Shanties and Songs of the Sea for many years however most are early 19th century and modern interpetation of that period. To have music composed in the 18th century would be a wonderful addition to my collection so I thank you for my early Christmas Gift, Dutch

Bosun Dutch o' the "Meka"II will be in attendance. If not aboard of a pleasure vessel, I shall most likely retire to the Penthouse Suite at the Pier House or crash at a friend's house.

A Very Happy Birthday T' Ye! An fer many returns o' th day! Dutch

Avast, Shipmate, an welcome t' th' Pub. T'is a grand bunch o' rascals ye've sailed int'a company of. I be keepin' an eye out fer ye at the next gatherin'. "X" (Dutch,his mark)

Just a few observations and experiences. The foul weather hats reffered to are Sou'westers. I believe what is seen in the drawing is an early developement of the classic best performing hat, ever. At the Museum in Gloucester they sell oiled canvas Sou'westers. I have used, for many years, a foul weather jacket and captain's coat without hood with my sou'wester. With glasses they are particularly effective. Mine is an Old, Black Diamond, close to 35 years old. I would imagine the secured barrels with the aprons would keep the gurry away from their footing. Particularly with those "sharpe knives". The wide squared knives are specialy used for "splitting" Cod Fish. They would next be salted to preserve then sold at a growing market as the fish would stay palatable for long periods of time. I don't see any thing in use for collecting the Cod Livers unless this was something not yet in use at this time. I'd ask the Surgeon about that one. In my short career of Draggerman, Cleaning Cod was one of my jobs. Although iced now for the Fresh Market, they are still slit, gutted and the livers saved. An elder on Block Island told me that the wool mittens made by the Island women were made long so the men could cut off the excess and add extra pad to the palma. He then told me that first thing they'd do in the use of the mittens was to plunge thier hands into the almost frozen seawater. The wool would shrink and the heat of their hands would be kept in and stay in! As for the leg coverings, but for the strange looking (wooden?) shoe parts, they look like modern "hip boots" used in the industry today. It was the pratice of getting your hip boots larger than needed so you could get them off quickly. Over the side they would become anchors really fast!! The Aprons are still in use today. They remind me of the "Bait Girls" in Galillee, RI. Jeans, Hip Boots, Bikini Top and Aprons. Stringing bait for the Lobstermen to buy. That's what I got. Dutch

Ahoy Shipmate, Beowoulf! T'is meself, Dutch, Bosun o' the "Meka"II, Armed Brig o' Beaufort, NC. Thank you for some great photos. I tagged one o' meself and the Pearl o' th' Caribbean. T'is a thing o' beauty t' look upon she, eh? I hopes the Holidays bring ye Joy, Health and a Happy New Year! A Good Wassail too! Dutch "X" (his mark)

The Peabody-Essex Museum was started by the families that owned the East India Trading Co. The beginning of foreign trade for our Nation. They began with the start of the 18th Century and have the collection of Logbooks from those early members of that Trade. The Customs House hasn't changed since built nor Derby Wharf across the street. If you're interested in American Shipping and Commerce of that era, I would give this museum a try. If a better contact is desired, let me know.

The lead covered logbooks were mostly military with codes, etc. If capture looked certain, over they'd go. As for dimensions of historic logbooks I would contact the Library at Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, CT. www.mysticseaportmuseum.org . They have an amazing Library. There's also the Peabody-Essex Museum in Salem, MA. An antique bookseller from up that way is Ten Pound Island Books. They may be a good source as well.

What does it take? The tireless effort of a few to enable such joy in so many. It all seems to flow so well once all arrive, set up and the fun begins yet it would be hard pressed for anyone to miss the planning, scheduling, permitting and cajoling that goes into the event before we put stone to blade or make our cartriges. The Closing Ceremony, Sunday Night is something I'll remember for a long time. The feeling of the love in every signature on "Mama Ratzy's" T-Shirt, even those in "invisable Ink", was like Saint Elmo's Fire's Glow in the hearts of those present and spirits of those gone. I believe I can safely say that the Big Payoff for these folks happens when they see us show up, suit up and have a Ball! It was not lost as Lily gave Mama the Shirt that even during an appreciation ceremony, Lily was still giving. I can only speak for myself now as I say Thank you to All that made this possible. I look forward to seeing you all at the next event so we can start getting warmed up for PiP 2011!! I signs, "X", Dutch (his mark)

The Conch Fishery in the Caribbean was Pre-Columbian. The Conch Shell Horns were used for religious ceremony and pieces of shell were used for jewelry. In archeological digs pieces of Conch Shell were found that appeared to be used as scraping tools for canoe making and bowls and such. The major fishery that I'm aware of that was in commercial trade was Salt Cod. I have seen the Salt Works on a few of the Caribbean Islands and know that the production was for export. Salt is the oldest form of food preservation. It is believed that in the 15th Century Europeans were fishing Cod off the Banks of northern North America. The Cod was "Split", salted and dried. Once it was preserved it was marketable thruough out the "modern" world. The commercial operation of salt production was as labor intensive as the other products, sugar cane, coffee and fruits. As the plantations did, the Saltworks used slave labor for the process. As bad as the Salt Mines of Russia were, the Miners were paid something! I believe that the majority of fishing in the 17th Century in the Caribbean would have been subsistance or for sale from the fisherman to his local community. That's my two cents. My Commercial Fishing experience was in the 1980's in New England. It was near shore, on shore and in a Great Salt Pond.

You may need to be more specific regarding the era and locale for the particular catch and method of fishing. Fishing Conch on the Bahama Banks would be so different than fishing around an island that's a younger volcanic peak such as St. Martin. Over the last five centuries the style of fishing has changed quite a bit as well.

Last year I come ashore, a mariner wi'out a ship. Marooned. I was taken in by the finast crew as wot ever was to be assembled. More a family yet shipmates all the same. Why, by Neptune's Trident, I'd say most t'be Dory Mates and they doesn't get a'closer than such! I'd list all the fine folk that was t'bring me aboard wi' me dory yea alas, I've not th memory nor coin t' pay this here scribe as I ain't the command o' th' written word. T' ye folks I met, I'll see thee by the dog watch on Saturday. T' them as ye wot I ain't met yet, I hopes t' do so. Thank you, All what makes this happen, Dutch "X" (his mark)

hmmm...can we volunteer people for you to demonstrate on? Dearest Diosa, if you're flailing, I'm willing! Hey! Did I just say that outloud in the Pub?!?

Ah, T'is me friend Israel Cross, it is. I have took on much small stuff and wuz told sumfin about doin' me trade. Now, don't ask me where I been, me lad. Don't ask me wot I did. Fore every thumb is a marlinespike and every finger a fid!

Looking forward to seeing a fellow from the 1638 Colony of New Haven. Might thee be selling any Nutmeg Mr. Yankee Pedler?

If you piss off the Unitarians they burn a question mark in your yard!