Capt. Bo of the WTF co.

Heck yeah! That's an awesome plan, I'm in for sure! I'll be watching for those addresses and will send stuff! Bo

Is this gonna happen? Haven't gotten a response to the PM yet. Still in for this if we are doing it. Bo

"Never give up, never surrender!" (Capt. Taggart Galaxy Quest motto) Still working on some small hull issues and trying to learn the rigging now. Paint and varnish will happen in the spring when the weather turns warm again for a good cure. Only about a year behind schedule.Too bad the Pub will not be here with which to announce the launch date. Not going with the traditional color scheme either. Something bright and cheery will only do for the memory of my little Breezy. See you on the water.........(or in the water if I screw-up!) Bo

Yes, as this appears to be the final year of the Pub, I will most definitely be in on this one! PM to follow. Bo

Well shit. This just sucks. I finally get wifi and now there's nowhere to go anymore. Facebook is such a cesspool I will not engage in it. Logged on a couple times just to read info from the Luna site and get in touch with Dutch, but that is as far as I will ever go. Given the recent turn of events due to the election, I have not one good thing to say about farcebook or the drivel spewing from it's nasty existence. Take care everyone, see you in the funny papers. Bo

Still thinking of coming out for the winter rendevous/woodswalk event at Fort DeChartres? I let myself be talked into getting wifi service at home so my kids can do schoolwork and such, so I am able to communicate from my easy chair now. The big 12X12 wedge is still available and I also got another 7X7 bell wedge for my daughter but she won't be coming to the event so that one can be utilized also. I still have an old flip phone and service around these Ozark hills in the lake area is spotty but give me a call if you like. I left my # in a PM. Hope to see some of the Pyracy Pubbers there! Bo

Greetings back at ya! I am also in the middle ground but can do much mischief on the big rivers of the interior. Soon to be sailing my little sloop Breezy in search of adventure and plunder. Welcome aboard mate! Bo

Sorry for the delay. Started working in the trades as an electrician full time and drive an hour each way. Doesn't leave much library time these days. I will be happy to put up the big wedge again for the use of those needing shelter. Hope to see you there. Bo

Well, I found another decent job after all. Gotta go back to the trades (electrician) and hope my ol' bones hold out. Gimme a couple weeks to get caught up on finances and I'll have some too. Still going ahead with my broom making as well, just in case... Bo

I'd love to see you again at the fort! I will be participating on another woodswalk team this year as well. You will like this camp much more than the experience you had at the June rondyvoos the last time you came. Let me know if I can do anything to help with logistics arrangements, have plenty of canvas if you need a place to sleep and save room in your vehicle. Bo

Taking the photos is not a problem, getting them up on screen is for me. I will do my best though. Bo

First load of broomcorn due to arrive this week, have been preparing my workshop and will be using red cedar handles and hemp cordage. I hope to have a few ready by next week. Bo

Well, if I can't find a job, then I'll just have to make one! I will be making and selling brooms in the near future, stay tuned for more details, setting-up shop in progress now. Bo

I realize those points, however, pirate or not, ship life and the structure of sailing ships' crews are still vastly the same across the ages as I stated. Sometimes one must remember that the "big picture" (i.e. the function of multi-national crews) has no boundaries of time and place, and the answers to certain questions can as often be found outside the realm of an extremely narrow study focus. Open to argument of course, but I am a licensed Social Studies teacher after all. Can't help but remind people to look at all options. Once you read sources from one period and compare with those of another, you will find that my thesis is sound. Bo

Going a bit forward and out of the GAoP, but read R.H. Dana's Two Years Before the Mast ca. 1820's. Little of the daily grind changed on board sailing vessels until the age of steam took over and 19th century industrial revolutions changed the economic systems of the world. He gives great details on foreign shipmates and Sandwich Islanders employed as crew etc. Bo

Well, I will not make the target date as I have not been able to find work since the last corporate screwing I took. Ready for the final stages of paint, varnish, and rigging, but no funding. She does hold water in as I keep it wetted down on the trailer and drain/replace it periodically with fresh water to reduce the drying-out, prevent rot, and maintain all the work I have done so far. I am confident she will float without taking on water above what is considered normal for a boat of this age and type. I remain ever hopeful for sailing yet this year. Bo

I have constructed a simple gargoussier based on the 1701 description of Fr. Pere` Lebat and what images are available from that time period. I don't have pigskin to work with so I did this one out of cow. There really isn't much of a description aside from the general dimensions, so I just "winged it" for the missing info. I still have trouble loading pictures here at the library or I would have posted some shots. The dimensions are "10 inches wide and six inches deep" and were worn on a wide cowhide belt with the multiple knives scabbards according to Lebat. I made two belt loops instead of one as it appears in drawings these were worn in front as a "belly-box" would be, and a single wide loop lets the pouch "fall-out" too much, while the double loops seem to keep it tighter to the belt. I did not attach a closure button for the flap as seen in a couple of the drawings as I prefer not to have to undo them for faster reloading. This is for when I take the wheel-lock out for a spin. (bad pun intended). Shooting pre made cartridges, I have found through much trial and practice, is the best method for loading and shooting this piece . Does anyone have any better info than this for the construction and use of this article that I have not found? Bo

I already spend a lot of time out there just handling every part of the hull. It is a constant battle to keep up with the refurbishing part, and I just lost my job again. I am a creature of habit and I do like a methodical static lifestyle. Change and surprises I don't care much for. I hope to still get her in the water by June 13th, my target date. Maybe I'll just launch on the Mississippi, float/sail to the Gulf and sail off to the southern hemisphere never to be seen or heard from again. There's worse ways to go. Bo

...sand a little scrape a little, scrape a little sand a little, pick-pick-pick, sand a lot, scrape a little more.... *sigh* Bo

The there's the whole "Scots-Irish" can of worms...hoo-boy! Wanna see a fight start faster than a hockey game just say that in a bar full of Scotsmen attending a Scottish Highland Games Festival! (or in an Irish bar in Boston, New York, Kansas City,...) Bo

Aha! That's why I thought it was from someone I had known before! I remember now. I will have to dig that out of my stacks and revisit the article. If memory serves me I conversed with you here on the subject of "Academians" who encourage you to think outside the box and question that which is thought to be absolute, then lambast you for doing so. Be well sir. Bo

So who wrote the article for Smithsonian last year? I have the issue at home but cannot recall the author. There seems to be some familiar territory covered here in this thread. Bo

Sand, scrape, sand, scrape, pick-pick-pick, sand, scrape...... ok, so maybe 70% was a bit too optimistic. Bo

Looks like someone took the Kings Pardon and cashed in on it...Hee-hee! Well now Guv'nah, how many horse to the carriage nowadays??? Well done sir! Bo

Where in the Midwest is the PiB? I might accidentally be able to do this, may even have a somewhat period boat to drag along. Bo