Captain Twill
Academic Fight Circle, Research, Share, Discuss & Debate Maritime History.
1,565 topics in this forum
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The plague doctor outfit is period so no reason not to have an outbreak of plague at an event.....or have one doc in white and one in black and have doc vs doc rather n spy vs spy.
Last reply by oderlesseye, -
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OK... I'm getting ready for PiP... I just have a few things that I have to fix for my male Buccaneer stuff, but I also have to make and dress two women by then. The Time period that I will be working on is 1669, I know Port Royal would have pretty much any clothing that was available in England at the time. So far I have found a few pictures from before the time period, and after.... So I have a kinda-sorta idea... but more and better information would help. It would be helpful if someone that has already found a site could post it, so I can spend more time actually making the clothing than surfing the web looking for pictures and discriptions.....
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This is something I was reminded of when I answered in the tavern post. I've asked about this over a year ago at Piratesinfo.com and a writers' forum. I got good advice from both place, but sometimes I wonder if I could use some more... Most of my cheesy little tales take place roughly in the very early 1700s. I had been looking into the little things for my stories, and I completely missed the War of Spanish Succession. The two largest nationalities in my crew are English and French. Oh, and the religious make up of the crew about half Protestant and half Catholic, mostly along national lines. See a problem? Not that my pirates care; if they had any pretentions of patr…
Last reply by Elena, -
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This relic was found about 1,000 feet offshore from where I live. It's valued at a cool $885,000. Love living on the Treasure Coast. For history buffs, the ships sank somewhere between the Sebastian Inlet and the Fort Pierce Inlet. Treasure continues to be found, including occasionally washing ashore. A lady last year in Vero Beach found a 76 carat emerald on the beach. Here's the complete story on the find. http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2010/oct/27/vero-beach-mother-daughter-team-find-solid-gold/ -- Hurricane
Last reply by hurricane, -
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SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2009 Pirate’s remains? Court case could set stage for examining 250-year-old bones By TED STRONG Staff Writer Local tradition has long claimed that pirates were among the early landholders along the Pamlico river and sound. Now, a local historical researcher is looking for legal recognition he would try to leverage to show that at least one of them was a member of Blackbeard’s crew. At a hearing Friday, historical researcher Kevin Duffus asked to be named executor for Edward Salter, a Bath man who has been dead for more than 250 years. Two of Salter’s descendants came from Missouri to back the move. At issue is a box of bones in Raleigh. Duffus wa…
Last reply by Dutchman, -
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Hi I'm still trying to find some authoratative reference works on pirates /pirate activity in the Azores about 1700 to 1750's, can anyone guide me in the direction of something worthwhile to read. I know it wasn't very much used in the GAOP but there must have been something going on. Thanks for any help
Last reply by Jackdaw, -
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In Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine Volume 78 September 1985, Watt describes how "In 1697, James Yonge, surgeon at the naval hospital in Plymouth, devised a posterior flap technique for amputation which avoided sepsis and bone necrosis and accelerated healing (Yonge 1697, pp 108-120). How does this differ from the "circular method"? Does this mean Yonge advocated a flap for closure as opposed to bringing the peeled back flesh to close like the end of a salami? Direction to an informative source is as welcome as a direct answer.
Last reply by Mission, -
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Since pyratin not jist be a warm weather sport.. .. Would our GAoP sailors and servant girls alike go wit Fingerless wool gloves as the solution??
Last reply by Silkie McDonough, -
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As a spinoff from another thread, let's discuss the "pirate accent." Classically, it seems to have been invented by Robert Newton for his portrayal of Long John Silver in the Disney Treasure Island. Of course, to do it Newton style you have to roll your eyes and wiggle your eyebrows with every syllable. This pirate accent may be described as "West Country plus nautical jargon." In reality, in the Golden Age, a large number of pirates were from the American colonies, so a pirate was as likely to be from Boston or Charleston as from Bristol. Plus, many were non-English speaking. Is there any evidence what American accents were like in the late 17th-early 18th centuries? I…
Last reply by Grymm, -
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I have been trying to find the exact spot that Captain Kidd's body was hanged in chains. It is said to be at Tilbury Point on the Thames, but there seems to be much disagreement as to the exact location of Tilbury Point. I think I have referenced about 3 or 4 different locations for Tilbury Point. Exasperating. Tilbury Fort was perhaps a likely location, which is nigh opposite Gravesend. Or even Coalhouse Point near Tilbury Fort. The town of Thurrock makes claim as well. Some interesting information here, but is it valid? See the Thurrock Wikipedia entry. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thurrock Does anyone know of some documented first-hand accounts of having seen Capt…
Last reply by Tar Bucket Bill, -
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"A strange and nastily beautiful book" according to The Millions, a jeud'esprit of the privateer life according to Publisher's Weekly, Pirate Talk or Mermalade is the story of two brothers who meet a mermaid and end up as pirates in the Arctic. It's written all in voices. Let me know what you think. Terese Svoboda
Last reply by terese svoboda, -
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I seem to recall a reference on a pre-Adm. Vernon mention of "grog" on either this forum or Blackjohn/Foxe's Ye Pirate Brethren. Now, i can't find it (try a search for "grog" on a pirate forum). Anyone one KNOW is such a reference exists? (EVEN if the term meant a rather different drink than the later cut-rum "grog")
Last reply by blackjohn, -
I am preparing for my next pirate-related project. Using only hand tools, I'd like to build a seaman's chest and, for lack of a better term, a "treasure chest" (wooden strong box). I have a few questions, but would like to solicit as much information as possible. My kit thus far is more theatrical than historical, but I would like to at least pass the ten-foot-rule with these two boxes. About how big was a seaman's chest? About how big should I make a "treasure chest". I'm simply not equipped to work in wought iron. Any suggestions on how to simulate iron bands on the treasure chest? Can anyone provide links to photos of the genuine article? Thanks in advance. …
Last reply by Captain Huntsman, -
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So seeking freedom from oppression is a modern Hollywood notion, or just pirates seeking freedom from oppression?
Last reply by Matty Bottles, -
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Hi Folks, Just got this in my email, might be of interest to those of you who are interested in period food. Mistress D. On Saturday, October 16, the New Castle Historical Society, in partnership with the Delaware Historical Society and the Delaware Division of Historical & Cultural Affairs, will present a program on historic Dutch food of the 17th century. The program, "Dutch Foodways: Food in Art & Art in Food" will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Buena Vista Conference Center on Route 13 South in New Castle, Delaware.<br style="line-height: 1.22em; "><br style="line-height: 1.22em; ">Hudson Valley food historian Peter Rose will discuss historic Dutch…
Last reply by jendobyns, -
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What can I say? Two hundred years of the bits and pieces that fill out your personna's "look", starting with 1650. They say there should be more details by Sept 1., but that's already past, so best check back periodically here: http://www.colonialw...itute_about.cfm These symposiums are high quality and a great opportunity for networking with like-minded folks. The only complaint I've ever had about one is that there's so much information, it's impossible to take enough notes! Mistress D. March 13-16 Costume Accessories: Head to Toe In March of 2011, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation will host a symposium on the subject of costume accessories. The symposium s…
Last reply by jendobyns, -
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Being stuck indoors has it's advantages. While trying to find information on Dutch tea smuggling, i came across this site: (check out the old smuggler print!) http://www.burtonbradstock.org.uk/History/Smuggling/Smuggling.htm Enjoy! Bo
Last reply by Grymm, -
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Has anyone here found any good links for sites with ship's manifests that list the cargo, not just the people, on ships that were captured or at least shipping goods during the GaoP? I'm looking for primary source material for researching a program I'd like to work on for events. And while I know there were things besides gold, gems, silks and spices on those ships, it would be nice to see them listed. So far all I'm finding is genaeology oriented web sites, which hasn't helped much. Mistress Dobyns
Last reply by jendobyns, -
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I'm not sure if this was ever brought up. But I'm wondering what the average wages were for common folks (Not just mariners) and also common exchange rates. What was a good silver spoon worth?? What was a bushel of apples or a bail of hay worth?? A side of ham or a chicken?? How much was a meal or a tankard of port?? Any people in the know out there??? Thanks in advance! Rats
Last reply by Tar Bucket Bill, -
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Not sure t' put this here in Captain Twill or in The Thieves Market, but th' way I sees it them blaggard thieves would just steal it so I chose here. Ok now, there be tons o' books on Knots 'n even more on th' net but what I be trying t' find is an instructional aid for making them fancy wrapping, braiding if ye will, on tool handles? Like the ones ye see on most any true sailor's knives, fids, or anything else he get he's hands on with a handle, like these here: Frayed Knot Arts On that particular page he mentions a "needle-hitch" o' which I have had no luck finding information on. Ya I know, I have many 'knot books' and through th' years with me Da, a fishing tackle…
Last reply by silas thatcher, -
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hey mates, i'm looking for actual transcripts and physical descriptions of thomas tew. anyone have any ideas or leads. i'm coming up with zippo so far. need it for a project in the spring.
Last reply by Fox, -
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So I was performing my fire breathing act in pirate garb last week and I had a patron ask me what type of liquid a pirate could have used in the 18th century to breath fire? I told him what I use, which is clear refined lamp oil (close to 99% parafin) but wasn't sure what to tell him in regards to historical accuracy. I doubt fire breathing was a regualr hobby amongst pirates but I do know it was around as a form of entertainment during the GAOP. ANy thoughts as to what someone would have used besides high content spirits?
Last reply by MarkG, -
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Since medical procedures are always popular, here's something from way back...a long way back. And when they start talking about how sharp obsidian flakes are...trust me, they *are* sharp...you hardly notice you've been cut until your hand starts sticking to the stone... The Obsidian Spirit gets thirsty from time to time, I guess... Really old brain surgery
Last reply by Gunpowder Gertie, -
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I was just wading through the 1639 edition of Woodall's The surgions mate (All previous quotes I entered are from the the 1617 edition) and I found this neat bit on barbering. “If the Surgeons Mate cannot trimme men, then by due consequence there is to be a Barber of the ships Company, and he ought not to be wanting of these following necessaries. One Barbours case, containing, Rasours foure. Scissers two paire. Combes three. Combes-brush one. Bare-picker one. Curling Instruments. [Rods for curling hair. Yep - a curling iron. No kidding.] Turning Instruments and Spunges. Mallet one. [For the fleem. Although that WB cartoon about the cavemen where the barber p…
Last reply by Calico Jack, -
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I am currently reading the Pirate's Pocket Book by Stuart Robertson which goes over the alliance between Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. I have the story many time and in many books but this time it got me to thinking.... Why would Blackbeard show Bonnet any mercy at all? Here is a man who shot Hands, one of his own crew just to keep his people fearful and respectful. Why not just kill the man as oppose to keep him captive? And later return his ship... why bother? I think there is more to the story between these two men.
Last reply by silas thatcher,