Captain Twill
Academic Fight Circle, Research, Share, Discuss & Debate Maritime History.
1,545 topics in this forum
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- 1 reply
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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, -
- 18 replies
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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, -
- 14 replies
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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, -
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I don't know if this has ever been discussed before, but does anyone have information regarding leather dyes used during this period of time for GAoP? I believe I have heard that some black dyes were made from Iron Gall, and that another type of black leather dye was made by soaking iron nails [or steel wool today] in vinegar for a certain length of time. I would like to make a nice period brown or tan dye for some leather projects, like a baldric or so --- if at all feasible. Are there any recipes out there that any of you recommend? I'm sorry if this new topic double posted, but the first did not seem to take, so I have tried again. -Tar Bucket Bill
Last reply by William Brand, -
- 22 replies
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Okay, GoF makes a pretty compelling argument for how messed up the pedersoli queen anne is. He does it so well, I'll let him do it. But one thing in particular stuck with me: he asked what the heck pedersoli thought they were copying. Well, I found the profile: Or view it here or here. Yes, this is a screw-off barrel, while the pedersoli is not, but this one has less of that streamlined cannon-barrel style and more of that what-is-that-does-that-pistol-have-a-goiter-on-its-neck style. Yeah, that's it. It still won't make those non-screw-off, no-ramrod pedersoli queen anne's 100%. And you probably already know this. I've been away for a while, so this is probably old …
Last reply by Matty Bottles, -
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History with a twist :)
Last reply by captscurvy_nc, -
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Thought Mission might find these of interest... 2 July 1726 A few days ago, a man was cut for the stone, the old way, in preinæo, by Mr. Dobyns at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital; from whom were taken six stones, one as big as a turkey’s egg, two as a pigeon’s, the others as a nutmeg, and is likely to recover. [Weekly Journal, or The British Gazetteer] 13 May 1727 On Monday last John Egerton of Oulton in the County of Chester, Esq; was couch’d for a cataract by Dr. Cheselden, with good success. [british Journal] 17 August 1728 A few days ago Dr. Richard Smith cut a large cancer from the lip of Thomas Welling (upon his stage in the Broadway of Westminster) formerly a s…
Last reply by Red_Dawn, -
Samuel Pepys
by Jib- 2 replies
- 835 views
Thought I might enjoy reading the diaries of Samuel Pepys but when looking on Amazon I noticed that many versions are available. Can you help suggest a printing?
Last reply by CrazyCholeBlack, -
- 17 replies
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What would be a suitable (pc) glass replacement for a flat panel lantern. I've seen some speckled 'seeded glass' that look good but... Any thoughts? Jas. Hook
Last reply by Tar Bucket Bill, -
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Over the last fortnight I've heard vicious rumours that I have been tying a lantern to a cows bell collar, walking the cow around a haystack that I may lure ships on our reef in order of wrecking. To this I take great offence. This is a Bald Faced Lie! It was a Horse!
Last reply by Jas. Hook, -
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hey folks, below is a message running around on the ropemakers yahoo group involving a ships cable from the war of 1812. Interesting read but I had a hard time with the math. Anyhow, a bloody cable 25 inches around! .......................................... below is a reply from Des Pawsons ................ This great rope would almost certain to have been a Great Cable Laid Rope and whilst the usual length for a piece of rope would be 720ft 240 yards 120 fathoms it is likely that the cable would be between 100 & 110 fathoms authorities do tend to vary as to what the stand length would be . The rope used to make the cable would shorten when being laid up into cab…
Last reply by Dutchman, -
- 2 replies
- 896 views
“Galleons and sunken treasure” is now available on: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/galleons-and-sunken-treasure/11912636 Thanks and …. enjoy it! List of shipwrecks on book: Year Ship name 1545 Nao of Nicolás Castellón, Utila Island (Honduras) 1555 Naos San Salvador on the beaches of Buarcos and Carrapateira (Portugal). Supposed ship bell from Santa María from the first historical journey of Admiral Christopher Columbus 1563 Capitana of New Spain galleon fleet (Bahamas Islands) 1589 Ship Nuestra Señora del Rosario. Troia Beach (Portugal) 1605 Galleons San Roque, Santo Domingo, San Ambrosio and …
Last reply by Mission, -
- 8 replies
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What is your guys opinions on the some what new book on Woodes Rogers called PIRATE HUNTER: THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN WOODES ROGERS (Hardcover) Graham Thomas Is this book worth the time and money? Thank you..
Last reply by hurricane, -
- 7 replies
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I am new to this and am still hunting down books to read and further my knowledge on pirates in general. How many different Lieutenants did Bartholomew Roberts have under his command during his career and how many left his command to start on there own? I am finding information that contradicts on other small websites and just want the clear facts. Did these men like Kennedy, Anstis, Phillips, etc leave voluntairly or just take off in Roberts's ships making virtually a enemy with him? I see references that Anstis started off on his own and worked with Fenn starting his own pirate fleet like Roberts. Maybe, i am dumb but wouldnt it have been safer to stay in the fleet with…
Last reply by Fox, -
- 11 replies
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On the way back from Washington DC, I got to spend 90 minutes in the Real Pirates exhibit at St. Louis Science Center, seeing real artifacts that Barry Clifford's team brought up from the Whydah wreck. Regrettably, no photos allowed. In no particular order, here's what I saw. 1. The bell. Not your little ship's bell like I saw on the St. Lawrence II. Big mofo, easily a foot across, and I'll bet it weighs over fifty pounds. 2. A wide variety of cannons: a Danish six pounder, an English "long three," and a four pounder. The three carried round shot and all kinds of different bar shot: some dumbell shaped, some with full-size balls each end, and some with hemisphere…
Last reply by Calico Jack, -
Hi I'm interested , as stated in a previous post, about Oliver Lavasseur . Thanks to those who have offered information to date I've spent a lot of time researching the net and would be interested to know of any of his activities in the Atlantic or if there are any accounts, contemporary or otherwise, on his trial and subsequent hanging at Bourbon ( Reunion ). I'm not interested in the subsequent hunt for his treasure. I suspect there isn't a published or known account of his trial and hanging so if anyone can give me some idea of how pirate hanging would have proceeded in Bourbon, a Portugese colony in the 1720's I will be most grateful, I know about other hangings b…
Last reply by Fox, -
- 6 replies
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Hi I'm looking for serious in-depth academic info on this man aka La Buse, Buzzard and if the internet is to be believed Nozzle ( what ??!! ) I've trawled the web and get the usual short biogs ( and, yawn, repeated short biogs ) but nothing of any real consequence. I'm interested in finding contemporary accounts ( newspapers, trial transcripts etc ) or academic books or papers etc about his life, trial and hanging. The subsequent treasure hunt is of limited appeal to me, but interested if the supposed throwing to the crowd of the cryptogram sparked a piratical rush to find the treasure. It must have caused a bit of a stir at the time if true. Thanks for any info …
Last reply by Jackdaw, -
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Books on piracy often show the many different kinds of ammunition that period cannons used: round shot, chain shot, bar shot, grape, canister, case, and langrage. However, pirates generally used quite small cannons: Konstam suggests that four-pounders were typical. Were some of these more exotic kinds of shot practical for small cannons? I would guess that grape, canister, and langrage would be useful in just about any cannon; they used langrage all the time in swivel guns and pattereroes, after all. But would chain or bar shot be practical for a four-pounder? Indeed, is even round shot practical for a four-pounder? How about for larger calibers? Is there a certain…
Last reply by Daniel, -
- 18 replies
- 1.7k views
Anyone on the reason or usage of the f replacing s in a sentence? Jas. Hook
Last reply by Mission, -
- 37 replies
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SEX IN THE AGE OF SAIL *Gasp!!* Be it true?!! Historians, tell me yer opinions on this arrrrticle, which makes claims about the unofficial "positions" of cabin boys and more...
Last reply by D B Couper, -
- 40 replies
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I am needin differnt techniques for torture or punishment used on board ship during GAoP. Things like keel hauling , but prerferably a bit more obscure then that. Not to worry mates, its for the lyrics to a song I am writing, no practical application anticipated
Last reply by Capt Thighbiter, -
- 4 replies
- 1k views
Avast there he scallywags! As many o' ye be knowin', thar be a piratical convention be happenin' in Denver come September 18th. BrethrenCon it be, an' if the winds be any mark, it's promisin' t'be a day the likes o' which old Hob has yet t'see! If ye or yer piratical mates be plannin' on settin' sail fer said shindig, and would like t'be sharin' yer knowledge of life on the account, send a messenger by yer fastest ship over t'the BrethrenCon port o' call, and let the fine crew that be puttin' together the festivities know who ye be, and what ye be wantin' to share. Panels will be considered in just about any format ye can name -- round-table discussions, classroom i…
Last reply by Captain McCool, -
- 9 replies
- 1.3k views
although "most" of us it seems tend towards a generic english portrayal of piracy/naval life, i'm curious what sort of documentation (read IMAGES) some of you may have found that show what say some mediterannean, indian, arabic, spanish, italian, dutch sailors would have worn. we got to talking about this at our last event, and while i usually am an indian (feather head) i like the idea of not having to shave and paint all the time, but thought it'd be cool to do a different bit of a portrayal. the new-er portrayal of "jamal, the somali pirate" was even discussed. but seriously. i can't find that much about these other locales, though from reading johnson's i gathe…
Last reply by Grymm, -
- 9 replies
- 2.7k views
Does anyone have or know the name of the man Roberts hung, who writers say was the governor of Marinique? It should be easy to find, but I've According to THESE lists: http://wapedia.mobi/en/Colonial_and_Departmental_Heads_of_Martinique http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Martinique.htm The only possibility would be de Hurault, 1717 to 1720. But, isn't 1720 too early? Are any of our French-speakers able to find out more info on who de Hurault was and if his term ended by his being hung, or by some other means? I've been wondering if it was oft cited fact or just period PR, from Roberts or his detractors . . .
Last reply by William Brand,
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