Captain Twill
Academic Fight Circle, Research, Share, Discuss & Debate Maritime History.
1,565 topics in this forum
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I know, I know… “There are a lot o’ long words in there, miss. We’re naught but humble Pirates”, so I’ll speak plain…. Prompted in part by the recent and excellent discussion on the prevalence of multiple languages in use amongst Pirates, and in part by some recent projects and discussions that were influenced by other cultures. I wonder how much cross-cultural ‘borrowing’ likely occurred amongst well traveled Pirates. I’m reminded for instance of Bligh’s crew of the Bounty taking up Tahitian customs such as tattoos, it may also be fair to say Dampier ‘brought back’ new customs that remain part of our western culture even today, but to what extent? Do we have examples of …
Last reply by Picaroon Lagoon, -
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Okay maybe not Buccaneers exclusively, but I love alliteration… Anyway, I’ve seen my fair share of discussions pondering the literacy levels of Golden Age Pirates, but I can’t recall much discussion on their ability to speak and/or understand multiple languages. It seems that Pirates, be they Dutch, French, or from any of the English speaking British Isles would be well served, tactically speaking, to at least have a working understanding of the Spanish language. Considering that Spanish currency was the most highly sought commodity, which meant actively targeting Spanish vessels crewed by Spanish speaking seamen, and carrying out a large percentage of their piratical pur…
Last reply by William Brand, -
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Allow me to preface this by stating that I’m not looking to stir the proverbial pot as it were, nor am I wishing to provoke anyone’s ire here. I myself have come across no historical record to support the practice of walking the plank, and in fact most credible sources seem to rather ubiquitously accept it as the product of literary invention rather than a historical practice. Now, I’m well aware that historical programming can be subject to errors and even, at times, grossly inaccurate, but given the ‘matter of fact’ and rather bold proclamation that historical records exist that support the practice among Pirates of making hapless victims walk the plank by the generally…
Last reply by Picaroon Lagoon, -
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An official list of artifacts recovered from the Whydah, book 3, December 1987. Of course, we have a list provided by Barry Clifford in one of his books, but this is interesting nonetheless. I was stationed in the Air Force in New Hampshire and later in upstate NY, don't ever recall hearing about the discovery of the wreck (media being what it was back in the '80's). "Final report of archaeological testing, the whydah shipwreck, site wlf-ha-1, cape cod, Massachusetts, volume 3: artifact inventory." Some dates on Spanish coins- 1/2 real (no other info provided). 2 real, dated 1686. 8 real, Potosi, 1654. 2 escudo, Mexico mint, dated 1688. …
Last reply by Stynky Tudor, -
I am still pondering my period(ish) medicine sea chest for holding all my potions and instruments and I thought those of you with experience in other sea-going chests might be able to help me out. Note that there are no known extant medicine chests from anywhere even near period. The best we have is a drawing from William Clowes which was first printed in one of his books in 1588. You can see it below. There are a number of problems with using this particular chest as a template for a sea surgeon's medicine chest IMO. First is the date, which is about 100 years before period. For the time being, we'll leave that aside. Second is the size. Of course, it is almost imposs…
Last reply by LadyBarbossa, -
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I saw this come up from a while back and thought I would share.
Last reply by LadyBarbossa, -
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I'm currently the surgeon/one of the founders of the Charleston-based 'Crew of the Charles Revenge.' Just wanted to show off my newish/growing medical impression. Mr Mission's research has been fundamental outside of primary sources of course. I am developing a series of kit-components that broadly fits the range of 1690-1780. I do Rev War surgeon as well, so there is an abundant amount of crossover! I have a couple of different medical chests I use
Last reply by William Brand, -
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I posted in the "Faire vs Reenactment" thread that I want to create an authentic 1680's period buccaneer. For myself, I am approaching this as "Hard core, living History" so I want everything to be as accurate as I can possibly make it. There are other threads dealing with different aspects on the GAoP, this thread will deal specificly with the Buccaneer period (aproxametly 1630 -1689) CLOTHING Exactly what would buccaneers have worn. Right now, I have a discription and a few period prints, but I have many questions...... WEAPONS What would have been carried. I have a poor quality picture of a Dutch musket from the Museum of the Fur Trade, but to recreat a period gun…
Last reply by Black Syren, -
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"NIDGERIES, (Nigauderie, Niaiseries, F.) Fopperies, Fooleries, Trifles." also "NIDGET, (Nigaude, F.) a Ninny or meer Fool" (Source: Nathan Bailey, Universal etymological English dictionary, 1724, not paginated)
Last reply by Mission, -
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The term 'loblolly boy' refers to a surgeon's assistant, typically in training and therefore unpaid. It used to be used here in the early days quite a bit, probably because it appears in the Hornblower and Jack Aubrey novels. It got me to wondering if it was GAoP appropriate. The term both pre- and post-dates the GAoP. Every etymology source that mentions it on the web agrees that it was first used by the Royal Navy in 1597, but none of them give the source. I am guessing this comes from somewhere in the naval records. However, I failed to find it in any of the period sea-surgeon's, sea-physician's, naval or sailors books that I have, suggesting to me that it was not in c…
Last reply by Mission, -
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When last I looked into it, the origins of the “Moody” red flag was a 1750s French manuscript. But, looking at stuff now, I see earlier dates given. What do we know of the design? -I’d love to get Foxe’s, Little’s, & Konstam’s (if he’s on here) views, as well as any others. Thanks, -Tartan Jack I’ve always found it visually striking.
Last reply by LootBox, -
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While I won’t go into details of the watch system, as it has been covered in other threads (click the tags above to see the related threads), I thought our assembled might find this app useful. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/five-bells/id1579094984 When installed, the app helpfully chimes out watch hours - a great way to understand and reinforce how the bells were struck, and when. For those interested in the dog watch option, you may click the Royal Navy setting. For those individuals who are time challenged (such as myself), the bells are an excellent audible reminder to keep me on track. Enjoy!
Last reply by Mary Diamond, -
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I'm more curious than anything, but I thought I'd ask the history side of the sight. Would they just toss the corpse in a burlap sack overboard with a prayer or two, Or was it fancier for someone like the first mate or captain? Or would they go so far as to come to land with the body (which seems pretty unlikely due to decomposition rate) to give them a proper burial?
Last reply by Mission, -
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Hey all, I was wondering if we could get a book list going regarding the GAOP time period. I figured this would help people discover some great material that they may have missed, as well as help in knowing which ones to avoid. If a book contains good/bad, maybe a description on the pos/neg would be useful. Thanks much.
Last reply by Mission, -
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The printers for Quest for Blackbeard are offering a 25% discount on print versions till Christmas plus whatever the revolving weekly discounts are, as listed on their home page http://www.lulu.com/home. Quest is available also in ebook/Kindle format and is the most updated version. Go to http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/bcbrooks to order. This is quite a savings! Author site: http://baylusbrooks.com #blackbeard #pirates #history #maritime
Last reply by Baylus_Brooks, -
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I dont know if this has been started, I thought it would be cool to start a list of all pirate ships with names. If you guys know any other names these captains used please add them. To be continued.... William Kidd- Adventure Galley, Galley-Frigate 34 Guns Adventure Prize (formerly Queda Merchant ex-Moorish Ship) 34 Guns 400 tons John Bowen- Speaking Trumpet, ex-slaver 50 guns 450 tons Speedy Return, Brig Blackbeard- Queen Anne's Revenge, ex-French slaver flute 40 guns 250 tons Adventure, sloop 6 Guns Bartholomew Roberts Little Ranger, sloop 10 Guns Good Fortune, Brig 18 Guns (Anstis ran off w/ it) Royal Rover, sloop-of-war 32 Guns Royal Fortune (severa…
Last reply by RisingSun, -
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Hi I need help Sea Myths and Heaven and Hell, Death and Life. Davy Jones and Fiddler's Green, Now the problem with Davy Jones if I use him for my Death then I might get sued by Disney but they got there version mixed up with the Flying Dutchman LW
Last reply by lwhitehead, -
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Hi in creating a early 18th Century Hard Fantasy world set during the Golden Age of Piracy that's 1720 to 1730 timeframe a Human only world, so I need info on 18th Century Navies, Unforms which Sea going powers started using them? Flint Gunlocks on Cannons when did the Nations started using them? Ship Pilot Wheel's when did each Sea going Nation generally started to use them?, LW
Last reply by Brit.Privateer, -
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Salted Horse is that Salt Cured Meat Beef or Pork or Fish, LW
Last reply by Cascabel, -
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Hi folks is it my thoughts that one of the most famous books on Pirates reads like it written by Investigative Hack or a Crime Hack, I mean it's read like it was written by a Reporter. LW
Last reply by Mission, -
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I started its own post, I didn't want to take away from the Morgan Pic topic. Boots, yeah. I love this debate. Now see people, we can have a friendly debate, without peoples slops getting in a bunch. GoF, I didn’t get your PM about the Batavia’s boots, but I received those pics from Charity here at the pub. True, if you look at the pics of the “Bucket Boots” who in there right mind would want to wear those stiff looking things on a ship, maybe some, I don’t know. If you look at the pics of the Batavia boots and another illustration of seamen wearing boots, they look totally different, looser, more baggy and more “ship friendly”. Is it possibly that there were several…
Last reply by Mission, -
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Farewell Twill. We will miss the Pub.
Last reply by Jib, -
The Way Ahead
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As we count down to the last days of Captain Twill thoughts turn to the future of historical pirate discussion. Facebook is not such a good medium as Twill has been over the years, but it's unlikely to go away any time soon, so may I extend an invitation to any denizens of Twill who are not already members to join the Authentic Pirate Living History group on Facebook.
Last reply by Mary Diamond, -
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Hi quickly I need books and sources on 17th Century Buccaneers before this Pub is gone forever, LW
Last reply by lwhitehead, -
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Hi folks I need to find some hard info on 17th Century Articles of War for the world's Navies?, LW
Last reply by lwhitehead,