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capn'rob

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Posts posted by capn'rob

  1. Were the "chicken in boxes" related to the chickens kept in wooden mangers aboard ship that, in the event of a sinking would float giving Jack and a mate or two a life raft and the odd chance of being found by another vessel. That and the same keeping for pigs gives cause for the sailor's silly superstision of a tattoo of a pig on one foot and a pig on the other would keep them from a meeting of Davy Jones. In my personal case, I followed the custom of the sea and adorned my feet. After enduring the pain of the process someone brought to my attention that a man born for hanging would never drown! Alas, the deed done, should I find a similar remedy to the hangman's goal perhaps I'll cross the bar, get the last stich in me hammock and as me mortal remains return to the elements me soul will step to the pub in Fiddlers Green.

  2. Aye! Thank ye, mates! Thank ye Much. Although t'was a tyme we had t'was none as t' Dutchman, aloft in the fighting top o' the "Meka"II with her sweet brass swivel gun and a fine view o' the action!

  3. I have seen in diagram this compartment with access from Capt.s day cabin in just the area described by Dutch of the younger less likely to scare children variety. It was explained that. in the event of being overtaken by pirates, this compartment would be used to hide both women and other valuables. I will try to locate the book that I have this reference in.

  4. "Key Lime" on a reach!



    This year my 16 foot Shearwater, "Key Lime" was part of the Beaufort Pirate Invasion. We rowed upon the Town using great stealth and demanded surrender! We were met with Jests and Jeers. So I brandished my 50 cal. Pistol to fire a warning shot but it misfired! I then brandished my 38 cal. Cloak Pistol which did fire but did not seem to frighten the Town any. They returned fire with one of their Cannon at which we beat an hasty reatreat!
    As we cleared the point where the Town could no longer see us the joke was on longer on us for here was our Bretheren in Arms the Pirate Fleet we had sailed out to represent in a Parlay! A suit for surrender. Their answer was clear, face it now for it bears neigh!
    I'm going sailing now, Ahoy!
  5. There be some apreciashun I be needin to express h'yar. Fust. Sir Will'm Redwake. I thanke Ye Most Heartfully!! I couldn'a figger ta git the pictures here as ye have. I am most grateful for yer kind remarks, laid along side. I hope t' be sailing the same waters wi' ye the sooner, the better!

    Cap'n James. Aye, we'ns made from shipmates ta Dory Mates I s'pect. It were so fine of a day ta be wi' ye an yer missus, The pictures like right fine too. What struck me fast was the Tulip form on the guard! Only Cascabel! "Dutch" = Tulip! We'd sure like to see ye among our home port's waters.

    Shipmate Peglegstrick, Thanks t' ye as well. Aye and fer certain his talents don't stop there! He works wonders with most any material ye kin put a'fore him!

    As fer ye All! T'would be such a fine day if'n ye all could be in Beaufort, NC August 12 & 13. There be Pirates about!!

  6. I had a Cutlass I purchased for very few dubloons. The cost was certainly saved in the pot metal attachments to a pretty good blade. I gave said blade to one Cascabel, Master Armorer to work his trade upon . What I got returned was a thing of beauty. Not only substantial and of noble metal but sculpture. The guard 's edge is formed and tooled to form a Tulip. Quite appropriate for one known as "Dutch"! I have posted photos in my Gallery and will try to figure out how to post some here!

  7. ahoy all, i hope all are well and rested.

    Thank you ALL for a great weekend. Everyone did what was needed and turned to in grand fashion. We fielded a record number of reenactors, more entertainment was there, and the local merchants had smiles on their faces. HUZZAH!

    Thank you, Dutch. I look forward to Bald Head Is.and Beaufort.So little time during events. But, the week between, that will be some fun!

  8. Either wot Dutch sez or wun ugli nipper!

    On a serious note. As a kid, a man would come through our neighborhood fairly regular with a cart drawn by a pony. He was rigged to sharpen anything you'd have in that age of antiquity, the 50s. He did knives, scissors, scyths and lawnmowers. I only remember one neighbor with a power mower and he sharpened his own. If I recall, his various stones were on a treadle powered shaft. I would walk a while and watch him until he moved on from our neighborhood. We had a Fishmonger, Fruit and Veg. Man and the Rag Man. They all had horse or ass drawn carts. The Tinkers, although you could find them to do the work they did, no longer plyed their trade by cart. My father-in-law was one of the last of the men who could mend the copper leaders, gutters and flashing. A Tinker.

  9. Huzzah x3!! Truly a Vouyage will worth the taking. The State of Missouri, yes, I think they rock! When forced by the courts to let the KKK adopt a highway, they had to do it but they didn't have to like it. Once the commintment was sealed, the State of Mo. named that Interstate the "Rosa Parks Highway"! Gotta' love it.

  10. Thanks for the kind comments, Mr. Munk. We are talking about one of the oldest fisheries in the U.S. Europeans knew hook and line fishing but the Wampanaug taught the settlers to Fish Trap on the shore. Purse Seining is similar only in deep water. For some great photos of the net being set, hauled and repaired and some music and literature about the fishery, I suggest www.unknowntounges.com . This is a Cajun Band of friends of mine here in "Down East" North Carolina. Barbara Blake has written a very indepth study regarding the Menhaden Fishery, the Fishermen and the Fish. She and her husband Bryan have also written the music on the CD that this website will bring you to. A Purse Seine is a long, flat net with floats on the top and weights on the bottom. Along the bottom is a line called a "purse string". When a school of fish are sighted, two boats will approach and with each boat with an end, encircle the fish with the net. When the boats meet again the "Purse string" is drawn tight closing the bottom of the net, forming a Purse. The "Mother Ship", a vessel of about 70 or 80 feet will come alongside and the boats with a good sized gang in each boat, will begin to gather in the "bunt" or belly of the net making the purse ever smaller. When sized right a dip net is the used to scoop out the fish and put in the Fish Hold of the ship. In order to get the 15 or 20 men to pull the bunt at the same time a chant was used. Or as we say, a Shanty was sung. As I mentioned, Craig said he got this one from the Men of the Beaufort Fishery. That's the people the Barbara writes about. Fun fact. My old friend Craig has been camping next to my new friends, the Blakes at a music event for several years now. Another member of Forebitter, David Littlefield has written a Shanty about the Menhaden Fishery on L.I. Sound. I think the title is "Luce Bro.s", the name of the company that owned the boats. I say that Dave wrote a Shanty and not a "song" about the fishery because of one important detail. Several years ago a Capt. that I fished with on an Eastern Rigged Dragger was Capt. of a "Trap Boat" the f/v "Boucolo", Gallilee, RI. As the gang was bringing in the three sides of the net I began to sing out "Haul on the bunt boys and walk her around. Haul on the bunt boys and walk her on down."! The guys said the loved pulling to a tune and as it was used to coordinate work, It is a Shanty!

  11. The Shantey is being sung by my friend Craig Edwards, of the group Forebitter. These were the four Shantymen doing the Sea Music Program at Mystic Seaport Museum. One day they had the idea to try a quartet and it worked! I think he learned it from the Menhaden Fishermen from Beaufort, NC and it was used to gather in the "Bunt" of the Purse Siene in the Menhaden Fishery. A "Gandy Dancer" was a Specific job upon the railroad. It was performed by large bands of men of a very low station that worked mainly for keep and drink. The job was to "Tramp" upon the gravel stone laid as ballast for the track to form it to a Road for the Rails. My Dad told me that during the Depression trucks would come from the railroad and gather up a gang of those willing to be a "Gandy Dancer". One summer my Dad worked for a contractor building a road. It was a section of the Post Road (route US1) on a grade fairly steep, outside New Haven, CT, our hometown. He was hired as a "Shaker". He held an Iron Drill Rod as a very large black man whalloped it with a sledge hammer. He said the man has a chant that kept them in synch. It was more a sing song than an actual song but I remember Dad said that hammer would go airborn to "Hard Labor" Whomp! twist the drill and brace. "Make a days pay" Whomp! twist the drill and brace. I'm so glad I learned these things from first hand experience. I was truly Blessed. My father taught me not just sailing but seamanship. History and sense of place by seeing as much of our surroundings as we could. The experiences he had in a very colorful and unique life.

  12. What about the "shin breaker" arraingement of Tiller/Wheel combination. It will move the whole rig further aft giving more space for a binnacle that can contain the instruments you need without having them visable until in use. Dutch "X" (his mark)

  13. Some updates for Beaufort's Pirate Invasion. We will once more have a WENCH AUCTION! That's right! The date and details will be posted as soon as they are confirmed. RUSTY CUTLASS WILL BE BACK! Remember, that's Rusty, with an RRRRRRRRRRRghhh!

    The Big News this year. The Exhibit of the Treasure of the "QUEEN ANNE'S REVENGE" will be on display at the North Carolina Maritime Museum. The Museum is around the corner from the encampment. They also have a great childrens program during the event.

    As it comes in, it shall be posted. YMHS, Dutch, "X" (his mark)

  14. My crew is currently having our ship, the "Valhalla", built in Marmaris, Turkey.

    The "Valhalla" is a custom, 75' all-wood schooner fashioned after a 16th century Spanish galleon. She has twin 55 ft masts with 6 sails and each with a crow's nest. The beam is 20' wide with a flush main deck, and raised bridge and forecastle. The European Coast Guard has approved her for 75 passengers including crew

    (although that number may change when in local waters).

    A friend of mine is a project manager for large yacht construction in Turkey. I've seen the fine examples of what they build. the vessels he's building are aluminum but the finish work is awesome. The others I've seen are the Vicem Yachts. They have built a few in Florida just to show the quality of construction.

  15. Greetings to ye. May yer tyme here in be of good cheer and fellowship. As a brotherhood of honest mariners wot may on occasion, and only with Letter of Marque, prey upon the enemy of our Sovereign, we always be in need of arms. We shall be looh\kin for'rd to casting an eye upon yer goods. Until then, Welcome aboard! Dutch

  16. I'd like to offer me tuppence. Once we'uns wuz deprived o' our daily hot showers in the day o' Men wi' Hearts o' Oak. The early days of the sailing Navy. The treatment o' ones traditional long hair o' the sailor wuz to slick the whole mess wi' good Stockholm Tar and braid in four strand round sennit. The kerchief and later in the days when uniforms had the attachment, this was for protection from said Tar. The purpose: First, stays in place and out o' yer eyes. Then, wi' out those hot showers and no shampoo and conditioner (damn their eyes) the natural oils were kept in and the salt kept out. A simple rinse o' spirits would remove the Tar and then, Only Your Hairdresser Knew For Sure!

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