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Captain Jim-sib

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  1. A review of Duffus' book by David Moore of the NCMM Kevin P. Duffus. The Last Days of Black Beard the Pirate: Within Every Legend Lies a Grain of Truth. Raleigh, N.C.: Looking Glass Productions, Inc., 2008. 239 pages; maps, limited notes, bibliography, and index. US $24.95, cloth; ISBN 1888285230. The author of this book on Blackbeard is a journalist, not a historian, which is glaringly apparent throughout the book. The overall thesis of the book is nothing new; it is based on the research of genealogists John Oden, Jane Bailey, and Allen Norris, published in 2002 as “Legends of Black Beard and His Ties to Bath Town: A Study of Historical Events Using Genealogical Methodology” in the North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal. This original research, containing numerous suppositions and assumptions, provided the somewhat historically shaky foundation upon which Kevin Duffus constructed his book. The cornerstone of both studies is that one James Beard, an early resident of Bath, North Carolina had a son, whose name, unfortunately, remains unknown. The book postulates that this son’s name was Edward and he would become the infamous and notorious pirate captain “Black” Beard—therefore not named Edward Thatch or Teach, as historical documents have informed us for almost three centuries. Unfortunately, very little of the evidence presented supports such a claim, a situation readily (and interestingly) admitted by the author on several occasions. David D. Moore North Carolina Maritime Museum Perhaps a debate between David Moore & Kevin Duffus is in order.
  2. Here is another worthy website devoted to lighthouses. Has an in depth history for each location. http://www.lighthousefriends.com/maps.html
  3. The piece is based on research findings which indicate that the Adventure was a Bermuda Sloop. Some researchers claim that be twas a Jamacian sloop...which only varies, basically, on the the length on deck. The Bermuda twas a bit longer. In Howard Chappelle's book, The Search for Speed Under Sail, there are plans for the Bermuda Sloop. The model is classified as semi-scratch built, since belay pins, guns, & deadeyes come from a manufacturer. Not many modelers take the time to make such items. For a better picture, please refer to the below link: http://www.carolinasib.com/images/Frame.ph...lackbeard's ADVENTURE&price=CALL What be yer project? Will you be making it down to the Pirate Camp at the Charleston Harbor Festival this weekend ? Twill be there meself.
  4. Me model of BB's sloop Adventure be in tha book. A profile view it be. T'would be better at an angled shot so that the topsail would had been viewed more clearly.
  5. Terry Linehan (pronounced "lend-a-hand") was contracted by the state to document this event & produced a video shown on NC-PBS. He has also posted segments of this video on You-Tube. For those who attended, you may enjoy his work. Best regards to ye all. http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user...linehan1956&p=v
  6. The Finished Model. Taking her out to Ocracoke tomorrow. The sails are set on a slight tack. 1) Angled Port Bow view: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0916.jpg 2) Port View (sails set on slight tack): http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0917.jpg 3) Port Profile: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0918.jpg 4) Port Stern view: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0919.jpg 5) Starboard Stern View: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0915.jpg 6) Port Stern Close-up: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0920.jpg 7) Port side, fore deck close-up: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0921.jpg 8) Post side, mid deck close-up: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0922.jpg 9) Port side, quarter deck close-up: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0924.jpg 10) Starboard bow close-up: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0907.jpg 11) Angled starboard deck view: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0906.jpg
  7. A couple of shots with her sails. Mizzen mast sails not secured yet Port bow view: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0879.jpg Port stern view: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0881.jpg
  8. Via Longarm: Would that be the gentleman who has Ship-Shapes in Charleston?
  9. Many thanks on yer comments. Have just completed the standing rigging on her. Photo links for your viewing pleasure. Will probably open a new topic when she be done with all sails in a few weeks. Best regards to ye all! 1) Port Profile: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0864.jpg (aware that fore top-pole is a skewed. Shall adjust when sail yards are installed) 2) Port bow, looking aft: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0871.jpg 3) Port stern looking forward: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0874.jpg 4) Round tops & top guns: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0870.jpg (will add another pair on the fore & main masts)
  10. Via Blackjohn: No I do not have that source. Certainly looks like a swell addition to me reference library. Will have to get that. Many thanks.
  11. Thankee fer kind remarks. To paraphrase Will Sparrow...A craftsman is always glad that his work is apprecirated. As fer Cap'n Midnight's question about using archelogical data from the site...yes & no. The wood structures does not exist per say. From hundreds of years of hurricanes, nor'easterns, rip current trends, and fishermen, the cannons are scattered away from a neat & orderly arrangement. There is really not enough physical remains to determine what she looked like as of yet, and the site has mainly been mapped out based on the existing metal (guns & such). The Smithsonian Magazine picture is currently the "best guess" of what she looked liked. One strong debate has been if she had jib sails verses the upper bowsprit mast like the Kalmar Nyckel has. Ship design was in a transtition from bowsprit mast to jib sails when she was originally built as the Concorde.
  12. Overall length is 33". Scale: 1" is about 3'. By model builers' classification, she is semi-scratch built...meaning commerical fittings (deadeyes, belay pins, cannons, blocks) are used. True scratch is where the craftsperson makes everything.
  13. After many interuptions, especially from making ships in bottles for Dreamworks Production of Alice Seabold's novel The Lovely Bones, the QAR model of the museum at Teach's Hole on Ocracoke is in the standing rigging phase. Thought you'd enjoy viewing the Admiralty Version (without masts). Research on constructing the model included long discussions with David Moore and folks with the QAR Project. Model completion deadline is mid-late February. 1) A drawing from Smithsonian magazine QAR article: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/100_2381.jpg Photo 2: Admiralty Style—Port View: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0850.jpg Photo 3: Admiralty Style—Inclined Port View: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0851.jpg Photo 4: Admiralty Style—Forward Port View http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0853.jpg Photo 5: QAR: Standing rigging lines in progress (1/7/08): http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0856.jpg
  14. Twas sadden to hear that author George MacDonald Fraser passed away. Many a side-splitting laugh he provided as well as enlighten on history via Flashman. The Pyrates is a classic. Related bio link: http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2008/01/02/1...ald-fraser-dies
  15. A pint of warm grog raised to ye all with best wishes fer the season...and a long night!
  16. Do you recall the jury member, I believe in the Whitewater case in Arkansas, that dress in a Star Trek officer's uniform (TNG)? What a way to shun the responsibility of jury duty...perhaps that was the intention of the cane/sword.
  17. A good source for early USN ship plans can be found in Howard Chapelle's book: The History of the American Sailing Navy (1959). Many detailed plans & prints. Even has some of the early Revenue Cutter plans (the 1798 Diligence II class). The index gives a brief description of the ship, number of guns, and important historical associations. Really a must for any with a zeal for maritime history. Can often be found at used book stores or try BookFinder.com Best to all!
  18. For Bermuda Sloop, Brigatine, & Schooner... plans are in the book: Search for Speed Under Sail by Howard Chapelle. These vessels did not vary in design much. Plans are very good & you can photocopy / enlarge to your desired scale. Chapelle was the maritime curator at the Smithsonian. You can locate this book with: www.bookfinder.com. Price ranges from $10-40. Also, you can check out the link below for their plans. Kinda fun just to view. http://www.bestscalemodels.com/index.html This site has some galleys: http://www.all-model.com/ Best regards to ye
  19. To all able to get SC-ETV (PBS) via cable, satellite, or a string of coat hangers going up the main mast: A one-hour documentary on Carolina Pirates airs on Nov. 22nd (Thanksgiving) from 9-10pm. Showing coincides with Blackbeard's death date. Know that this topic was mentioned sometime in Aug/Sept & that SC-ETV aired a teaser on its production. Link to announcement below. (And yes, the 3rd green "bullet" is incorrect. It should be "Ocracoke Inlet" instead of "Beaufort Inlet") Best regards to all, Jim-sib http://www.myetv.org/about_etv/pressroom/r...e_Carolinas.cfm
  20. via Rumba Rue Interesting...smokey quartz on petrified wood. Quartz gets "smokey" thru radioactive "buring" of the silica. Your piece probably got "burnt" from the carbon-decay when the wood got petrified. No worry, it's not "hot"...just indicates that it was exposed to it. As for collections...books, rocks,fossils, Classic Illustrated Comics...most of which are in storage & need to have someone else collect them.
  21. Christian-related origins to myths: 1) The jinx of red heads: supposedly Judas had red hair 2) The start of voyage / launching on a Friday: the crucifixion
  22. Wages...for period rigging you can consult "The Pirate Ship" by Angus Konstam. Another good source is "Historic Ship Models". For your period 3 master, sails on the fore & main masts would be the course, topsail, and topgallant. The mizzen would have a lateen rig and a topsail. Two jib sails at the most & a square spritsail. You could have a lower staysail between the main & fore mast and an upper stay would be historically accurate. Speed was improved by hull design inovation...sharper bow, steeper deadrise. Even with all sails and laundry crowded on a 3-master of that time, they'd be lucky to get 8 knots. Studsl's and royal sails came much later. Sidewheel Clyde-built Blockade runners of the Confedercy would average 12-14 knots and still outrun the Union 3-masters . My QAR model, when done, will only be in Beaufort a day or two before it heads out to Ocracoke Island. The NC Maritime Museum has a very nice one by the late Frank Gaskill. Photo links to it below. Best regards & happy modeling NCMM QAR #1) http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/100_2289.jpg NCMM QAR #2) http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/100_2290.jpg
  23. Wages, do you have a picture / sketch of the Thistle to share? Remember at that time in European shipbuilding, the jib sails were first coming into use and replacing the sprityard topmast square sail. Ships still retained the lower sprit square sail. The lateen rig on the mizzen was still in use...the gaff-rigged spanker came in around 1720. Photo links to my QAR in progress...actually in "dry dock" or rather "dusty dock" of my shop. Had to set her aside while I do the ships-in-bottles Fall shows & museum demo's. Model is based upon photos in Smithsonian Magazine & "The Pirate Ship" by Angus Konstam...and talks with David Moore of the NC Maritime Museum. When done she will go into the museum portion of Teach's Hole on Ocracoke. Model is 33" overall length. 1) Starboard side: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0489.jpg 2) Deck view: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/DSCN0491.jpg
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