Commander Ullrich

And further in discussion of the rating system (the sloop of war was unrated): That is all fine and dandy if you are in the british navy, however, we do not clasify our ships in such a way, and you have to be careful when examining the type of ship or refering to historical accounts, to take into account the period, and the nationality of navy doing the classification. The british example sited rates ships through the counting of the number of guns. That does not work with American ships (or french), however. The USF Constellation (1797-1853), for example, was pierced for guns (had gunports) on two decks, and as such was classified by the American system as a Frigate. The second ship to bear the name is the USS Constellation, Sloop-of-war(June 25, 1853-today), which means she is pierced for guns on one deck, rather than two. The french would classify this ship as a Corvette. The classification has little to do with how many decks have gunports, not with counting guns. Respectfully, T. Leigh Ullrich, Crew Chief USS Constellation Museum

Of course there is still dancing, lass! Why else would I reccomend it, unless it had music and dancing, as well as good people and good stout?

And while in Baltimore, All reenactors and visitors are encouraged to visit the USS Constellation, Last All Sail Ship of the US Navy (1854). I am Crew Chief (Master-at-Arms) aboard , and encourage you all to visit. I'll be the crew member with the crow on his sleeve, and the colt inside his cover. USS Constellation Museum Sadly, since I am working all weekend, I will not be able to get over to the fort. WEll maybe, since I live on Fort Ave. in blatimore, as well as working nearby, maybe I can sneek by in the am, before hading to work. Also, if you are looking for a good Irish Pub in the evenings, I reccomend J. Patricks. It's the kind of pub where the crack is grand, Ceile dancing a few nights a week, and bring the kids. Rude/vulgar langiuage will get you escourted to the door by all the regulars, as well as the publican himself.

Capt. William, The picaroons do not use cannon. Only because we have none... yet. We work extensively with black powder firearms, primarily long rifles, muskets and pistols. Most recently at Morehead. Some of our members used to work with the N.P.S. at Ft McHenry (1814) and were certified in that manner. I am certified due to my need to fire the 20 pound Parrot Rifled Gun at least once a day at work, aboard the USS Constellation (last all sail vessel of the US Navy-Last Civil WAr Vessel STILL Afloat) USS Constellation.org. (and recently, home to the Go-Go Pirate Show (yep, white Go-Go Boot dancing pirates doing Treasure Island, followed by burlesque dancers and can-can dancer. (But I digress) We are searching for one or two swivels, for the encampment. Any leads on reasonably priced, WORKING svivels graciously accepted.

Well now Rum Lass, First of all, this is black powder, which is "low and slow" burn, not a high powered explosiion, so no high velocity, armor piercing rounds, just round balls. So there is no significant loss in velocity. Secondly, since the ball is round (assuming ist was made right to begin with,and free of rust) no matter which side of a perfect sphere hits the water (assuming seas not too rough) then it will ricochet in a straight line towards it's target, and you gain about 20% on your range. Now the U S army statistics of the 1850s tell us that a long 32 pounder has an affective range of 1.25 miles. BUT! Affective range is defined as hitting the target 50% of the time or better. So please remember that your actual combat range is MUCH closer to begin with, and adding 20% to your range is not adding onto that 1.25 miles, but rather much less, because of this. Secondly, those are ARMY statistics that I am sighting. The Navy basically threw the book overboard. Why? The army was firing from a STATIONARY platform, at a STATIONARY target. In the navy, you are firing from a moving platform because the deck of a ship is pitching and rolling AND it is also under way, and usually your target is another ship that is also under way. Finally, your captain ( if he isn't a total boob) is attempting to sail in such a way to deny his opponent a target, when getting the best angle to fire upon the enemy, who is doing exactly the same thing to him. This requires knowledge of his ship, crew, winds, weather and local tides. So, firing cannon may be fun, but it's half the battle. If your captain can't pilot the ship (and/or the crew can't sail it, despite his knowledge and skill) into aposition for the gun crews to fire in the first place, because they are being out sailed, who cares how fast and accurate these gun crews are, or the efficiency of their guns? Did I babble enough? Too much? Commander Ullrich, Rumskull PIcaroons, Colonial Tory Privateers AKA Mr Ullrich, Master-At-Arms, USS Constellation Museum

The Rumskulls Picaroons, Chesapeake Colonial Tory Privateers will be attending the N.C. Blackbeard Festival. Just look for our encampment. You can't miss the 20 x 25 marquis tent and the other "smaller" ones. WE will be doing some period cooking, navigation lectures, etc. Apparently, we are also supposed to be the bloody millitia and defend the town (why are we always the millitia Mr Ullrich, Master & Commander Rumskulls Picaroons