Captain Twill
Academic Fight Circle, Research, Share, Discuss & Debate Maritime History.
1,565 topics in this forum
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- 16 replies
- 1.8k views
Hey, I am a student and for my last project at college I am preparing to create a set of pirate characters in 3d, i've come to your forum because it seems rich in information and I would be totally appreciative if you guys could answer a few of my questions mainly regarding clothing and other things such as literature, films, graphic novels or anything that you think you think is useful in creating a authentic pirate costume. This is the project that if i do well enables me to go to university in September so your help is definitely welcome and needed It would be great if I could get a list of all the items of clothing a pirate from the mid 18th century would have. If…
Last reply by Lieutenant Alex, -
- 7 replies
- 1.2k views
So I'm listening to James de Kay's A Rage for Glory, the biography of Stephen Decatur, and I hear that Decatur and his officers got all mad because they didn't get any prize money for burning the captured USS Philadelphia in the harbor of Tripoli. When Congress just voted them two months' pay instead of prize money, Decatur and his officers considered it an insult and refused the award. Now I'm thinking "WTF? You don't get prize money for burning an enemy vessel, do you? You have to capture the other guy's ship, bring it in and sell it, because that's where the money freakin' comes from, right?" But if so, why would Decatur and his officers ever have expected prize m…
Last reply by Capt. Sterling, -
- 1 reply
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So I've been asked to do some 1812 stuff this weekend with the Free Men of the Sea. They, like many others, are putting together 1812 kit for the upcoming anniversary events. Jacket, shirt, overalls and shoes I have. My cutlass hilt will change easily. But I need a hat. Any suggestions what is the best hat for a Napoleonic period privateer that can be made in 4 days? Hawkyns
Last reply by Fox, -
- 46 replies
- 3.5k views
Probably German Man’s Coat, circa 1720-1730 Costume/clothing principle attire/upper body, Cut silk velvet, Center back length: 43 1/2 in. (110.49 cm) Los Angeles County Fund (62.6.2) Costume and Textiles Department.
Last reply by Korisios, -
- 4 replies
- 799 views
In the period, what were the issues and sides taken by the Whig and Tory parties? What I've read on the 17-teens is VERY different from what I've read of the terms from the American Revolution just over 50 years later. Did the parties change in between or is the impression of one period or the other (incompatible) wrong? What made a Whig, a Whig? What made a Tory, a Tory?
Last reply by Daniel, -
- 3 replies
- 713 views
Yesterday, while browsing through the Old Bailey's on line records looking for information on cutlasses, I found this account from the prison ordinary's interview with Robert Hallam, who in 1731 had been sentenced to death for murdering his wife. While confessing his past sins, Hallam mentioned that long ago he had been briefly forced into a pirate crew. The pirate captain's name is not mentioned, but the name of the ship, Good Fortune, suggests that it was none other than Bartholomew Roberts. The souce shows something of the process by which men were forced to join the crew. Apparently Roberts, if that's who it was, had some concern for his new conscripts, enough to …
Last reply by Daniel, -
- 8 replies
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I have a lesson or two approaching in my World History class regarding the GAoP. We have recently covered the Triangular Trade (Middle Passage) and the Columbian Exchange. I want the junior class to experience the importance of piracy in the scheme of trade and early democracy. If you were to teach them for 90 minutes, what would you a) discuss to cover the topic, and weave into the subject to keep them interested. . . TIA. :)
Last reply by MarkG, -
- 13 replies
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William and I were talking about my role in the battle at PiP from the audience's POV and it occurred to me that it might be nice to have some mark identifying me as a surgeon on my Haunting Lily Alexander original satchel in which I carry my tools onto the battlefield so that they know why I'm just standing there in the background while everyone else fires their guns. A quick search of the symbol indicates that the red cross and red crescent symbols didn't come into use until 1859. So I was wondering if anyone had any insight on this. Was there a medical symbol that was used on the battlefield during period? In all my reading, I haven't come across any such symbol, oth…
Last reply by Coastie04, -
Who are we? Are we jolly rogues like Jack Sparrow and Robert Newton's Silver or are we hard characters like Charlton Heston's Silver or Will Plunket from "Plunket and MacLeane"? Do we wnat to be liked by the people who see us or do we want to show a more accurate portrayal of the black underbelly of society? Do we need the public as an audience or is the mere portrayal for ourselves enough? In all cases, I would answer the latter. It's a question I've asked on other 18th century boards. There seems to be a general attitude of putting our forbears on some sort of pedestal and refusing to acknowledge the reality. Pirates were jolly folk who only fought and killed whe…
Last reply by Cascabel, -
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Guys, I am really wondering if you can label Low the cruelest of all Golden Age Pirates? I ask this and am wondering because he had consorts like Lyne, Spriggs, Shipton, Cooper. Harris, etc. I have read and correct me if, i am wrong Spriggs was cruel and Lyne was a consort of Spriggs and he murdered all the crews he captured. I am curious to know more and a reference to Low actually using a Green Flag to summon his captains for a meeting? Foxe maybe you can help on the flag and post it, i went on your Bonventure (Pirate Mythtory) site and it was not found did you take it off the net? Second Part-- In your guys humble opinions what do you think happened to Low as to hi…
Last reply by Calico Jack, -
- 2 replies
- 669 views
I noticed during the end of the GAoP that Memphis was Memphis History: A Chronology c. 1541 Indians living near present-day Shelby County encounter the Hernando De Soto expedition. 1739 French explorers build Fort Assumption on Memphis site. 1795 Fort San Fernando de las Barrancas built by the Spanish. 1797 The U.S. gains control of the area; Fort Adams erected. a few different forts would it have been possible for an ocean going vessel to sail up the Missippi from the gulf and attack Memphis?
Last reply by Daniel, -
- 3 replies
- 790 views
http://www.sedwickcoins.com/treasureauction7/shipwreck_artifacts.htm#, has anyone seen this page?
Last reply by hurricane, -
i'd like to add a rope walk to the school of the sailor/ colonial maritime festival in june. I have heard of one being set up at an event- paynetown maybe?? this is out of my area of knowledge, but i'd love to learn. has anyone set one up and operated one? would anyone be willing to make the trip to Deltaville in June to run one?
Last reply by MorganTyre, -
- 7 replies
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I got this wild idea this weekend - perhaps not wild... I would like to make some grenadoes that could be used in a reenactment battle. Yes, folks, I want to toss around some bombs. My first thought is to make a reusable greanadoe that could house a smoke bomb. Light and toss - smoke comes out, no harm to anyone. My questions are: Anyone have an idea on how to make it go boom and still be okay for reenactments? Anyone have any construction ideas? Anyone who organizes events - Would a person be allowed to toss around a few faux grenadoes? I think this is a cool idea - just need to figure out how to execute it - so to speak.
Last reply by MarkG, -
- 5 replies
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Have you guys read about any other pirates being hung from a yardam with no trial such as the case of Joseph Bannister in 1686? I dont know why the Governor would have given Spragge that order to do so. I mean do you think Bannister would have been acquitted a second time in Jamaica?
Last reply by Daniel, -
Madagascar
by Daniel- 6 replies
- 1.1k views
Just read a little article by James Armstrong, "Madagascar and the Slave Trade in the Seventeenth Century." Unfortunately, he deliberately skips over most of the pirate period, saying that it has already been adequately covered, but he does give some sources for piracy in Madagascar: H. Deschamps, Les pirates a Madagascar, Paris 1972, M. Brown Madagascar Rediscovered p. 72-91, Jacob Judd, "Frederick Phillipseand the Madagascar Trade," New York Historical Society Quarterly Oct. 1971 p. 354-74, and Virginia Platt, "The East India Company and the Madagascar slave trade" William and Mary Quarterly, XXVI Oct. 1969 p. 548-77. It notes that a Dutch East India Company ship, the…
Last reply by Daniel, -
- 0 replies
- 726 views
Guys, I am reading about Shipton, who was a Lt. to either Low or Spriggs then went on his own. Do you guys have any more info on him such as first name and fate? I see he is mentioned in Earle's Pirate Wars but want to make sure the info in there is accurate and any leads or sources would be very appreciated. I see Gosse stated his name as Skipton..
Last reply by The Island, -
- 9 replies
- 2.2k views
Guys, I am getting frustrated, I have searched and searched for a Joseph Cooper captain of the Night Rambler and found only his name mentioned in Hayward's " Lives of the Most Remarkable Criminals vol. 3" in referance to a John Upton. Can anyone please help me out on any sources or websites that give more then his name any dates anything will be so helpful?
Last reply by Daniel, -
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- 489 views
Guys, Maybe you can help, I think this pirate captain Thompson is a ghost in terms of info like Napin and Nichols are. This is another one mentioned in Cordingly's book "Under the Black Flag" page 119 "In Dec. 1718 Governor Lawes of Jamaica sent out two sloops to capture a pirate ship commanded by Capt. Thompson, who had the nerve to take a merchant ship within sight of Port Royal Harbor. The first sloop to reach the pirates was shocked into submission when the pirates threw vast numbers of powder flasks, granado shells, and stinkpots into her which killed and wounded several and made others jump overboard. the second sloop was so demoralized by the attack that she fled…
Last reply by Daniel, -
Pen pals... 1 2
by LadyBrower- 40 replies
- 5.5k views
I debated on where this should go... Is it art? history? hmmm. I put it here, Please move it if I am wrong... What I would like to do (and I'm not sure if anyone has tried before) but after being inspired by a lady suggesting I write fake letters to people to develope my persona, I thought it might be a good idea for "us" (reenactors/ history lovers/ whatever) to be involved in some sort of period pen pal circle. This way, people reenacting similar periods could research day to day activities, "current" events, establish friendships and build their persona. What I envision is for each letter to contain really, what letters from people during that time may have said. M…
Last reply by LadyBrower, -
- 0 replies
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Guys, I am reading Sanders book "If a Pirate I must be". What do you guys feel about Roberts being selected as captain after Davis's death? Sanders wrote basically that senior members saw Davis's death as an opportunity to rein in the power of the captains by appointing a weak candidate between powerful competing blocs. Why do you guys figure Roberts was elected captain over Davis's longer termed "lords" like Ashplant, Kennedy, Sutton, Magness, and Skryme among others?
Last reply by The Island, -
- 8 replies
- 1.2k views
The conditions of sailing in the Golden Age of Piracy dictate some sailing strategies that appear obvious. 1. Since you can't accurately determine longitude, get in the latitude of your destination as soon as you can and sail due east or west to get there. This is exactly what most merchant ships did, according to the introduction of Johnson's General History of the Pirates. 2. If you want to sail eastward, do it in the latitude of the prevailing westerlies. 3. If you want to sail westward, do it in the latitude of the trade winds. 4. The calms of the horse latitudes (30 to 35 degrees, according to Wikipedia) and the equatorial doldrums slow you down, so cross th…
Last reply by Daniel, -
- 10 replies
- 2.8k views
In Billy Budd, when the order comes down at dawn to lay topside to witness punishment, some of the crew expect to see a flogging. But the old Dansker memorably mutters, "They flog men at noon. The early morning is for a hanging." I've seen no reference to this practice in any other source. Is it genuine, or a literary invention? And if it was the practice to flog at noon and to hang in the morning, when did it arise? Would it have been a naval practice only, or would the same custom obtain in the merchant service? The only other reference I've found about the timing of punishment is from a book called Sea Slang, which defines "Black Monday" as the day when the ship…
Last reply by Daniel, -
- 14 replies
- 1.5k views
Guys, I will stop gracing the forum with my boring topics ONLY if you help me with these few questions on these two interesting characters. These two are to some considered the Godfathers of pirates one faction belonging to Jennings the other Hornigold. If these two are so famous espically Hornigold for being a mentor of so many pirates, why is there so little written on him? What made Jennings and Hornigold rivals of each other? I read also that Bellamy and Williams, who at the time were, I believe sailing with Jennings sailed off with his treasure and joined up with Hornigold. Is there any good sources that explain why bellamy and Williams would do this and piss off Je…
Last reply by captscurvy_nc, -
- 5 replies
- 1.1k views
I went to the J.M. Davis Arms Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma for my birthday, which alleges that it is the largest private collection of guns anywhere in the world. There were quite a few flintlocks, although most of them are post-period. Here, though, is a real find. This is the first real snaphaunce that I've ever personally seen. It's six feet long and has 4 barrels, and I imagine it was used as a fowling piece. They don't know how old it is, but it surely must be early 17th century. Other interesting items: A two-inch flintlock grenade launcher, supposedly for anti-ship use. Date unknown. A collection of powder flasks. Date unknown. A flintlock blu…
Last reply by LadyBarbossa,
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