Jamaica Rose

Bringing a little Pirate History into Everyone's Life

My name is Christine Markel Lampe. In 1988, I was "kidnapped" by pirates in when my friend Gail Selinger invited me on a pirate cruise aboard a local tallship. Signing articles, I joined the local pirate crew and thus the character of "Jamaica" Rose Barton (a chartmaker from Port Royal) was born. Fascinated by the history of the period I started researching pirates. Along with my husband Michael (a notorious rogue captain she met on that first cruise), we took over the publication of the pirate crew's newsletter, and began writing articles on history, costuming, and persona. In 1993 we founded a magazine for and about all pirates: No Quarter Given (1993-2016).

It's circulation grew to include an international readership, and became known as THE Piratical Clearinghouse. You coul often find us selling our NQG magazine, other publications, my artwork, and other pirate swag at faires, re-enactments, and maritime events. We are also both founding members of the Port Royal Privateers crew (also founded in 1993). I became known as a leading authority on pirates and have been used as a technical consultant for books, movies, and documentaries (most recently seen as a commentator on True Caribbean Pirates). A Californian native, still living in Southern California, I have worked as a cartographer for a fire department, as a fisheries biologist (Cal Fish & Game, USFS, USFWS), and as a high school science teacher. I have a degree in Biology, and further studies in Freshwater Fisheries and Environmental Science.