Jump to content

How did pirates start fires?


hengishammer

Recommended Posts

Striking matches were invented but not called matches in 1827. Matches were first called "congreves" and sold as "lucifers" but then problems with formulas for useful success and changing chemicals in the make up and it wasn't till 1844 they were patented as the "safety match"

The predessor of "our today match" was: small sticks of pinewood impregnated with sulfur, struck on stone and was developed in China in the 6th century AD.

Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a knife in your back.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd imagine that for many ships, especially the larger ones, fire would be transfered more than started. There would be at least a lantern or galley stove with enough embers to light something else. This is just speculation on my part, and I can't back it up with hard evidence, but I'd imagine that using flint and steel below deck would be rather dangerous, as the sparks can occasionally go flying off in unpredictable directions, and using the aforementioned method above deck would be rather difficult when there was a good wind blowing.

Coastie :lol:

She was bigger and faster when under full sail

With a gale on the beam and the seas o'er the rail

sml_gallery_27_597_266212.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Most common methods:

-- Rubbing wood together (not broke -- don't fix it)

-- Flint and steel (absolutely most common method)

-- Fire-starter pistol (Dixie Gunworks carries one -- it's a flintlock designed specifically to ignite an amount of tinder)

-- Magnifying lens (the ability to concentrate the sun's rays and start fire is what makes this a truly indespensible tool)

-- In the 1800s, the Promethean Match. This is such a cool invention, that I must quote part of "The Story of Matches" web page....

"In 1828 ...Samuel Jones, a chemist of London.... invented what he called the Promethean Match. This consisted of a tiny glass vessel, which had a minute portion of sulphuric acid inside, which was enclosed in a small quantity of chlorate of potash, the whole being sealed up in the end of a paper spill. When the head was crushed between the jaws of a small pair of pliers, which was sold with every box, the liberated acid immediately caused the potash to ignite."

...Stories have it that real tough guys would show off their cajones by BITING the match to break the glass phial, which was an extremely hazardous thing to do.

04de8cfe.jpg

"He's a Pirate dancer, He dances for money, Any old dollar will do...

"He's a pirate dancer, His dances are funny... 'Cuz he's only got one shoe! Ahhrrr!"

FH1040.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awh come on...... back then if you wanted to start a fire...... flint and steal....

If you wanna try it for yourself...... check out any blackpowder shop..... (or search the web...)

And it is realy easy to do... hit your flint with the steal.... catch the sparks on your char.... blow gently... and make fire.......

matches... lusifers.... and all the other fire making stiff was for the rich.... flint and steal was the common way to do it.....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the many responses chaps!

The reason why Im asking is because we are making a mod for Halflife 2 called Pirates, Vikings & Knights 2.

www.pvkii.com

Theres a character on the pirate team who runs around and drops a keg of blackpowder to explode as one of his weapons. The thing is, would he carry a flint device to light the keg or would he just shoot the bloody thing to make it explode? Matches werent around during the golden age of pirates, thats why I want to seek an alternative. It would need to be something portable.

Any input on this? I appreciate all the info :o

Link to comment
Share on other sites

would he carry a flint device to light the keg or would he just shoot the bloody thing to make it explode?

In that case, slowmatch would work the best..... (slowmatch is basicly prepaired cotton rope ) with one or both ends burning.....

In a hurry, they could fire a flintlock very close to the powder... but if they "touch off" to much..... they will get a nasty burn as the powder flairs..... Thats why gunners uesd a linstock... (a stick to hold the slowmatch....)

I've read about using a barrel of powder and a slowmatch to ignight it as an impromptu granade....to slow down boarding partys... timing of the whole thing could get tricky.........

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If it was setting off a line of gunpowder...

Assuming the pirate in question has a flintlock at the ready (and we already KNOW that there is a surplus of gunpowder available), it's the simplest means-at-hand. He simply adds some powder to his frizzen pan, shoves a little down the barrel, aims the barrel at the line of powder, pulls the trigger, and crack - kapow - sizzle.... BOOM!

04de8cfe.jpg

"He's a Pirate dancer, He dances for money, Any old dollar will do...

"He's a pirate dancer, His dances are funny... 'Cuz he's only got one shoe! Ahhrrr!"

FH1040.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys! The last 2 posts were particularly helpful:)

I think we will go with the last suggestion:) Something quick that could light a keg without carrying around a slowmatch.

Check us out form time to time!

www.pvkii.com

B)

Interesting that you choose the most non-factual method.....We've tried this many a time, and it is totally unreliable in comparison to a linstock; the power of the charged pistol usually casts the powder trail to the winds, seldom produces results, and usually burns or injures the enabler... altho it looks good in the movies...who cares of authenticity in a video game anyhoo, eh?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, you have to consider --yes it is a video game. But we are trying to be as real as possible within reasonable limits. I just dont see how a pirate would run around Lugging a Keg of Powder on his back with a lit slowmatch in one hand, juggling his cutlass, and flintlocks. Where does he stick the lit slowmatch while wielding his cutlass? Its on fire!

For practical purposes it would suit us just to have the pirate fire at the fuse in order to get it lit for a slow--timed light.

alternatively, he can just shoot the keg and have it explode immediately.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Blackbeard braided his into his beard, to make him appear more menacing... but it could be used to ignite explosives too.

There was also a character in Pirates of the Carribbean that lit grenadoes from slowmatch burning in his beard. Jacoby? I think was his name.

Captain_Sigart.jpg

Captain of the Iron Lotus

It is the angle that holds the rope, not the size of the hole.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Let me preface by saying I have no experience with blackpowder.....

Correct me if I am wrong, but the linstock is "smoldering" and not a flame. Therefore, tucking a lit linstock into a strap tied around your boot would be the most effective means of "carrying" a lit linstock. As long as the person remembered it was there and didn't let time run out of linstock. You might have up to an hour with a lit linstock tucked in your boot.

Of course, this is all speculation on my part and I am probably totally out on a plank with this idea.

~Black Hearted Pearl

The optimist expects the wind. The pessimist complains about the wind. The realist adjusts the sails.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Black Hearted Pearl..... What you are thinking of is the slowmatch....

slowmatch is treated rope that one or both ends are lit, and it slowly burns (but not a flame...) the glowing (burning) end is used to ignight a matchlock or a cannon....

The linstock (basicly a stick) is what is used to hold the slowmatch so you don't burn your hand when the powder ignights......

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Found this whilst ebay surfin'..with provenance, the difinitive answer on lighting grenades, etc...'grenedier's light'

Picture%20315.jpg

For sale is this Rev War grenade lighter originally worn on the grenadier's cross-belt to light grenades for throwing. It remained in position after they were converted back to full duties with the musket as a mark of tradition and recognition. A removable wooden handle held a smoldering match rope which had it's reserve length passing through the center hole.

When one considers there is no actual picture of it in the book and the ratio of grenadier soldiers to that of a normal soldier it dosn't take long to figure out how rare these must be.

As in all my other auctions, this piece is guarenteed authentic. Please view my other auctions.

:lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

WOW.... THAT IS COOL......!!!!!!!!!!

When I went to rendezvous, I use to carry a "New Mexican tinder tube" for using when using flint and steal to start a fire...... there are some Major difference between the two .... but some simularitys.........(OK I can't spell)

I'M GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE ONE OF THOSE.........

(OK done with dancing about in front of the pewter)....

that picture gives me all of the info I need to make one..... coool coool cool....

(I will post this .... then finish the "happy dance" without continuing to bother anyone else..... )

Sorry for being so silly..... but there are times when I see something.... and there is that "spark" ....... inspiration... whatever.........

Thanks for shairing that Captain.....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Well I made a quick version of the match case..... carved it outta pine just to see how it worked.....

1. I made it about the same lenght as the photo..... but the slowmatch burns to fast, and you have to keep poking in forward (I used untreated 100% cotton cord )

2. next one will be longer....

3. The slowmatch burned OK, but I think the holes should be a little bigger for a little more air. it would get too much "char" on the ends (this may be because I was using untreated slowmatch...)

4. I didn't add the atachments (the two rings and pin to hold it on).... the next one will have them...

5. Not sure If I want to wear it on the middle my baldrick..... the smoke from the burings slowmatch .... gets in your eyes..... maybe lower and slightly out of the way, but accesable......

AAAh.... the joys of reconstructive archology......... <_<

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...