Captain Twill
Academic Fight Circle, Research, Share, Discuss & Debate Maritime History.
1,565 topics in this forum
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- 15 replies
- 3.1k views
I asked this on a writers' forum, but while I got some good info on the subject, I don't feel like I have enough info. I'm looking for rude gestures from the Golden Age. The kind you could get away with in a PG movie, but would get you in trouble with your mom if she caught you using them. For example, I know about the two-finger salute, but not what it was called back then. I also know about the bras d'honneur, but neither how old it is nor what it would've been called if it had existed back then. Anyone else know? (If I'm wrong about how PG those gestures are, let me know that, too.) I'm also open to suggestions for other easily described, PG gestures, especially Engl…
Last reply by landlubbersanonymous, -
- 3 replies
- 1.6k views
...But I am not so sure what kind of ship she is. "Drake left Plymouth on May 24, 1572, with a crew of 73 men in two small vessels, the Pascha (70 tons) and the Swan (25 tons), to capture Nombre de Dios." Any idea how "The Swan" might have looked like? I need a photo of a similar ship. Herebelow I found it referenced as "pinnelle" but the google doesn;t show me any ship type with this name. http://memory.loc.go...7.db&recNum=611 Any opinions? I need the photo for an avatar and eventually a signature, so any ship which possibly could have been it does the part... What other avatars others have used: Mist of Avalon Flying Dutchman The Pelican (Golden Hin…
Last reply by Elena, -
Perfumed Pirates? 1 2
by Jib- 25 replies
- 3.2k views
I imagine that perfumes, scented oils, and powders may have been the personal possessions of wealthy prey on sailing ships. Any note of a pirate dabbing a bit on himself? Or would that type of treasure be sold off for coin or the embraces of a dockside trollop?
Last reply by Jib, -
- 45 replies
- 4.9k views
Interesting insight regarding mental health issues during the 17th Century. Melancholy Baby
Last reply by peglegstrick, -
- 2 replies
- 1.3k views
If this has been posted before, please forgive the repeat. I was cleaning out my data before going off-line Monday and found this website stashed away in one of my files: http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/ If you are interested in trials and such there are thousands of entries here. Bo
Last reply by Capt. Bo of the WTF co., -
- 40 replies
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Ahoy mates! I am doing a bit of research on 17th and 18th century Spanish naval cannons, and I am looking for any clear pictures or other depictions of the various coats of arms that were engraved or cast onto the barrels. Black and white line art would be fantastic, if anyone knows where I might find it. Thanks so much for any help you can provide!
Last reply by Capn Bloody Sam Rackham, -
- 1 reply
- 1.2k views
Found this on a board I frequent: http://www.ageofnelson.org/Document09.html Enjoy!
Last reply by MajorChaos, -
- 8 replies
- 1.9k views
I'm portraying a merchant and craftsman. I am curious about publications and documentation about how pirates disposed of their captured goods. Fencing through an unscrupulous merchant perhaps? And how did legit privateers dispose of their goods? Also, the flip side: How did pirates outfit themselves for sea? They couldn't have stolen everything they needed, at some point they have to purchase some stuff legally. Who would willing sell to a pirate?
Last reply by Capt. Bo of the WTF co., -
- 2 replies
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A while back (cant remember how long ago or where it was posted) there were some pictures posted of an original coat, vest, and breeches that were just past GAoP. They were a shade of brown and there was some excellent detail of the pockets, flaps, most everything. Can anybody help me find them again please
Last reply by Commodore Swab, -
- 29 replies
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Our own Foxe has has an article published in International Journal of Maritime History (v.22 no.2 Dec 2010) It's titles Jacobitism & the "Golden Age" of Piracy, 1715-1725 / by E.T. Foxe. I just photocaopied it so I can take it home to read at my leisure. Way to go Ed!
Last reply by Fox, -
- 23 replies
- 4.7k views
I'll preface with, I bought MANY yards of unbleached linen last month thinking I would be dying it and sewing the mantra before the end of May. My work schedule exploded, and there is no way I will be able to handle the process let alone not having a place to dye fabric in my apartment. Here's where you come in! I have dug through most of Capitan Twill posts and have not found a reference to correct color linen. I know blues, and browns would be safe bets but I would really like my mantua in the color of eggplant. Is eggplant an acceptable color for GAoP? (not sure how correct the scan color is) If eggplant was not a correct color of GAoP, are there any darker …
Last reply by Jib, -
- 3 replies
- 1.1k views
In his book The Voyages and Travels of Captain Nathaniel Uring (1928 reprint, first published in 1726), Captain Uring describes how he built a raft from the wreckage of his ship and trees found on the island he landed on, just off of Honduras in late 1719. It's kind of an interesting description so I thought I'd share it. "It may not be improper to describe the manner of making our Float [raft], which may be some Instruction to Seamen that fall under the like Misfortune. The ship's Main-Mast we placed in the middle; the Fore-Mast, Mizzen-Mast and Bowsprit, at proper Distances on each side, with the Yards lashed a-cross, fasten'd very well together with the Running Riggi…
Last reply by William Brand, -
- 23 replies
- 3.7k views
i am currently trying to find some more detailed info on sail construction during the gaop... what i really need is the standard width of each panel ( 24 inches i believe), how they were sewn together ( probably flat felled ) , and what type of material was usually used... found info that linen was most likely used, woven tight, hemp and even wool... i have searched the web to MY best, but so far, only some general info... i'm toying around with the idea of making a fairly accurate small sail for demo purposes... some of the books i have, show some pretty good pics for a good idea of the overall look, but don't get into the minor details i'm looking for... any ideas…
Last reply by Mission, -
- 1 reply
- 8.2k views
I am researching a story I found about one of the last pirate raids. Besides a few online summaries and forums, I have not been able to find too much more of the details. I have been able to locate the full newspaper article from the Daily Alta California from December 15, 1884. A library source has scanned and converted to text using OCR software. I cleaned up the OCR errors. I've included it below. It's a good story. I'm trying to find out if anyone knows any more details to this event. I cannot find any other articles to substantiate this story. Most facts check out. It talks about the King and the palace. The palace was built in 1882. The first silver …
Last reply by Mission, -
- 1 reply
- 1.6k views
Not at all Pyrate, and the article is very sparse on detail, such as wear and tear of the sailors life on the skeletal remains, but I nonetheless found this of some interest: Children as young as 11 were exposed to the health hazards of serving in Lord Nelson's navy, scientists have found. Archaeologists and bone experts have looked at 340 skeletons from three mid-18th to early 19th-century Royal Navy graveyards. At one cemetery in Plymouth, almost a fifth of the 170 skeletons were of teenagers, many of whom are believed to have died from diseases such as malaria or dysentery. One of the key individuals studied by the scientists is an 11-year-old boy who may have been…
Last reply by Littleneckhalfshell, -
- 5 replies
- 981 views
Jennie Gist posted a link to a really interesting article on a pirate encampment that archeologists are excavating in Belize from the early 18th century. The article contains a lot of supposition, but I guess that's about the best we can do when looking at the remains of the refuse from such a site. You can check out the article here.
Last reply by jendobyns, -
- 12 replies
- 1.7k views
This is more out of curiosity than anything, but you've seen those ball and chains in the cartoons, on prisoner costumes, wedding cakes,etc. Were they used in our era anywhere? Thanks!
Last reply by Littleneckhalfshell, -
- 19 replies
- 3.9k views
Several of us went off on a tanget about costuming apporpriate to Ottoman empire, Barbary Coast and generally middle eastern pirates. Lets move from tanget to full fledged thread. I'm going to copy and paste the pertinent information from the other thread so no body need repeat themselves. Duchess Michaelsbagly
Last reply by Duchess, -
- 2 replies
- 847 views
She always has something good, thought I'd share this one here: LINK
Last reply by Mission, -
- 16 replies
- 2.8k views
I´ve started to write down/translate it to english a roundup from the book I´ve posted pictures from in this topic. As I said there, the book is good enough to become an overview but has almost no references! If someone is able to come up with sources to affirm/ disprove the statements... go for it! If it´s of interest for some of you I just continue the roundup in the next days with more information and recipes. Vitamine deficiency, drinking water problems With increasing longer seacruises, vitamine deficiency and fresh drinking water became one of the biggest problens. On some discoverer ships there was a proper mass mortality. Often the still unknown scurvy can be…
Last reply by Mission, -
Pirate Mythtory 1 2
by Fox- 33 replies
- 3.1k views
What ho piratey people, just to let you know that my very own website "Pirate Mythtory" is now online Feel free to visit and tell me it's all wrong at your leisure. Then get your friends to as well. Many people on this board (and others) have helped with information and ideas. Thanks guys.
Last reply by Daniel, -
- 25 replies
- 5.4k views
Trying to find any references to or shipping lists regarding bricks or blocks of tea shipped into the colonies. Not having any luck with this, and all my searches have turned up only un-verified references by more modern writers. I'm looking for actual primary references from the colonial period if they do, in fact, exist. Thanx, Bo
Last reply by jendobyns, -
- 15 replies
- 2.3k views
Anyone know of a manufacturer of period correct (17th century) barrels? Obviously barrels were put to a lot more uses than just storage and transportation of goods during the 17th century. For bonus points - does anyone know what for or why those rectangular holes are cut into the barrels? I have no idea.
Last reply by Littleneckhalfshell, -
- 15 replies
- 2.4k views
I was taught to fire a pistol two-handed. I was always a lousy pistol shot even that way, but at least I could group 7 shots about 3 to 6 inches low and left of the bullseye at 25 yards. With one hand? Fuhgeddaboutit: I'd be lucky to put the shots on the paper at all. Basically every manual I've ever seen about modern handgun shooting agrees: use two hands, whether in the squared off police stance or the sidewise Weaver stance. In the movies, handguns used to be invariably shown used in one hand. Since about the '90s, films set in the modern era more often show an accurate two-handed use of handguns, at least by police and other trained shooters, but Westerns and mo…
Last reply by John Maddox Roberts, -
- 8 replies
- 1.8k views
What does that mean? Has anyone been around here long enough to know why the general history forum is called Captain Twill?
Last reply by Littleneckhalfshell,
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