Captain Twill
Academic Fight Circle, Research, Share, Discuss & Debate Maritime History.
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The history of sea therapies Sea plants, seawater, sea salt and oceanic clay have long been popular physical-therapy ingredients in Europe. Recommended as medical therapeutic agents as early as 1578, seawater and sea derivatives were administered for rheumatism and general rehabilitation. In 1753, The Uses of Sea Water, by English author and physician Charles Russel, explained the various therapeutic properties of seawater. In search of those therapeutic benefits, the European elite sought out ocean-side resorts with bathing facilities. With marine hospitals, which started in England in 1780, the seawater craze quickly became French domain. The first French marine ho…
Last reply by Red Cat Jenny, -
- 2 replies
- 383 views
Gentleman of Fortune posted this in the SHIRT INFO REPOSITORY thread.... but there are a lot of interesting things in the picture.... OK first off, He is a Militiaman, and not a Sailor or Pyrate, but there is still a lot of cool information in the painting..... Hey... what's that off his shoulder ? is it part of the baldrick, or a shoulder knot..... I was looking ah the hand guard on his sword.... it's steel and not brass, but it is the same shape as the sword that I am modifying...... (I have to find where I posted that stuff..... but it's almost finished...) And look at his coat cuffs ! Cool stuff.......
Last reply by Patrick Hand, -
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I have heard a few really gerat piratical superstitions, and would love to know if anybody knows some others! !)a woman on board would bring storms? 2)whistling on deck would bring bad luck? 3)the earring was worn to improve eyesight? (turns out is based in fact!) 4)killing a bird of prey would bring ill fortune? 5)the stones in cod's ears would be worn to prevent a sailor from drowning? Got any more? I love this stuff!
Last reply by Desert Pyrate, -
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Searching for the ghost of Blackbeard near Ocracoke Inlet By CATHERINE KOZAK , The Virginian-Pilot © September 25, 2006 It's a fact that Blackbeard, also known as Edward Teach, was killed in a gruesome battle in 1718 off Springer's Point, a wooded Eden that lines an area by Ocracoke Inlet called, aptly, Teach's Hole. It's not a fact, as legend would have it, that his headless body swam around his ship Adventure five times before giving up the ghost, so to speak. Nor is there a shred of evidence that the buccaneer buried his treasure beneath the dunes on Ocracoke. As part of a documentary he is filming about Blackbeard, Raleigh filmmaker and historian Kevin Duffus tho…
Last reply by Story, -
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So, when about town, how would a "seaman" carry his possessions? More precisely, in what would he or she carry them? Pockets? A canvas satchel? A leather bag? ROund? Rectangular? Anything goes? If this has been addressed in a previous thread, please steer me towards that thread. Really, I just need a bag to match my period boots...not!
Last reply by Quartermaster James, -
Knot
by JohnnyTarr- 20 replies
- 1.4k views
Ok now I know that a know that a knot was measured by tossing a plank of wood tied to a rope overboard. The rope would have knots tied into it and over time would produce your speed. Now I have been looking as to how this was all done with more specifics. This is what I came up with and this is open for discustion and not ment to be used as fact as I am not shure of the facts. I have found a 3 min sand glass that might have been used to measure speed. Then I found this: 1 knot is roughly equivalent to 101.268591 foot/minute. So if you had a vessle that would go 5knots you would need 500 ft of twine to let out in one min to measure your speed. Now I find this hard to bel…
Last reply by Capn_Enigma, -
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Does anyone know where I might find a knitted Montero cap, and whether or not they were worn in the GAoP? They were a knitted or crocheted wool cap similar in construction and appearance to a Monmouth cap, with the exception that they had a short brim or visor similar to a modern baseball cap. They were worn by English troops (and I'm sure others as well) during the English Civil War, so I'm wondering if they would have been appropriate for a sailor of the GAoP. If anyone knows where I can buy one, I would sure appreciate any help you could provide. Thank you mates!
Last reply by kass, -
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FYI for those on the west coat. I am thinking of attending this one. CONFERENCE: “Dress and the Decorative Arts” November 10-11 (Friday and Saturday) 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Jointly sponsored by The Huntington and the Costume Society of America, this conference will examine the aesthetic interplay of dress and decorative arts, focusing on shared styles, techniques, and materials. Scholars and curators from both fields will address questions of influence, interpretation, and display. The papers will highlight object-based research relevant to The Huntington’s holdings. $25. Registration: 626-405-3432 or skrasnoo@huntington.org.
Last reply by HarborMaster, -
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- 638 views
I recently came across this picture of Chinese pirates in 1891. It reminded me of the second picture of German pirates receiving the same punnishment for their crime much earlier. I know I've seen the German picture on this board before, but I can't remember exactly when it was. I just thought it was an interesting comparison that the same punnishment was used in two vastly different cultures in completely different time periods for the same crime. Coastie
Last reply by oderlesseye, -
- 6 replies
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Just wondering if anyone knew of any good websites, books, etc. where I could learn about the superstitions, mythical creatures, ghost stories, and common lore that sailors and/or pirates would have talked about in the 17th century? Thanks
Last reply by Scrounger, -
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I was happy to locate this chart. Would this have been accurate in the GaOP? It would seem so. Ships Time in bells chart
Last reply by JohnnyTarr, -
- 16 replies
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Does any one have any reference to what ‘games of chance’ or games that would ‘pass the time’ during the GAofP? I have heard the loo, goose and wisk (sp?) were popular games of the time-period, but did pyrates play cards or did they limit themselves to dice (bones)?
Last reply by jessie k., -
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Okay, saw the line drawing of the converted grenade launcher used to shoot out grappling hooks in one of the Osprey books, I believe it was... Any one have info/pictures and stats on any originals? Want to get started producing one... Thanks. Hector
Last reply by Capt. Sterling, -
- 15 replies
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Cool...no? 1673 Eidt: Big ol' wheel of cheese and bread Wooden bound cask interesting trapazoidal chest large coil of rope? Cool mug for drinkin' Canvas wrapped? Mabe its some sort of textiles...
Last reply by Fox, -
- 14 replies
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I saw a reference to this on another thread and I would like to hear more. Sayings that come from the sailing world that might be forgoten. 1. Freeze the balls of a Brass Monkey. Comes from the craddle of brass that held to cannon balls on the ready cannon. When the ship would go around the horn in cold weather the cannon balls would contract quicker than the brass and become loose. Of course loose cannon balls on a pitching deck would fall out. 2. Kiss the captains daughter. Getting punished with the cat o' nine tails 3. Sing a song of six pence. I have heard that this is a song that was sung by recruiters on shore for Blackbeard. It is things like this I would like …
Last reply by Fox, -
- 2 replies
- 309 views
Hi there! In the last 2 days, I read through at historical- based threads in this Forum. My girlfriend asked me a few things, which I have answerded quite well ( I think). Then, she asked me following: Do you actually know about the maritime history of the Germans in the 17. and 18. Century? I thought shortly and had to determine to my disgrace that I know really not much about it...! One thinks of seafarers or piracy in Germany in the general conditions that the first hit words are "Hanseatic league" or "Störtebecker", therefore "Middle ages". After a short one seeks with Google I could find out also not much besides which the Whalers played a bigger role about and t…
Last reply by Scrounger, -
My new fids 1 2
by Fox- 34 replies
- 1.9k views
On Tuesday I ordered a pair of new fids, big ones for splicing anchor cables. On Wednesday I rang the maker up to clarify a point about the metal ring on one of them. Today they were delivered. How's that for service!
Last reply by kass, -
- 5 replies
- 504 views
During the summer, I read Richard Zack's biography of Captain Kidd and his nemesis, the pirate Robert Culliford, called The Pirate Hunter. I enjoyed the book thoroughly. I especially liked Zack's narrative style, in that this work of non-fiction read very much like a novel [and would make a great movie!]. I'm interested to hear the Captain Twill set's kudos and brickbats regarding the accuracy of Zack's historical research (which I'm sure must be controversial in places). Cheers, Hester
Last reply by Capt. Sterling, -
- 37 replies
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Okay, I admit. In preparing for our company "Pirate Day" party in a couple weeks, I've become obsessed. Tracking down pretties, digging out my childhood copy of "Treasure Island," and reading your site archives like crazy. Neat place! So um... a question for ye all. I see these pictures of lovely maps spread out on a table, with all sorts of brass instruments and suchlike. Some look like stuff from high school geometry escaped into the wild, others.. yeesh. I can't begin to recognize. Is there a good book you'd recommend I look at that covers the life, duties, and practices of a GAoP navigator? Particularly a nice picture book with lots of "this is a such and such. It…
Last reply by Kaylee, -
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- 495 views
As the title says, what about a long whip? Similar to a mondern day bull whip. Would they have existed? I really haven't done any research, I'm on my way to google now, Thanks for any info.
Last reply by Jack Roberts, -
- 1 reply
- 286 views
Greetings freinds, I have had a question posed to me concerning red morroccan leather from the American Civil War. One of the local units is wanting to portray Kansas Red-Legs. Any info on what may have been used to dye the leggins red? Preferably something that isn't likely to bleed onto their trousers. I would assume that the leather was either goat or sheep, but haven't got a clue as to what may have been used for red dye. Much obliged... Bo
Last reply by Gentleman of Fortune, -
- 2 replies
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OK I was wondering if there are any kinds of sandals (rope or otherwise) which could be used for GAoP. I'm also wondering if there were any kinds of ankle or work boots more like brogans durig the GAoP? That ankle support would be nice for all day walking! Rats
Last reply by MadMike, -
- 2 replies
- 451 views
A publication notice just came in for this four voulme set. This looks like a real good one mateies! Britsh Piracy in the Golden Age: History & Interpretation, 1660-1730 http://www.pickeringchatto.com/piracy.htm I'm hoping The Library gets a copy. :)
Last reply by hurricane, -
- 10 replies
- 879 views
press gangs............................i know only a little about them , anyone who is familiar with the history of and or how they opperated please reply, ............and were they mostly attriputed to the royal navy or did private navies like privateers and merchantmen use the same techneques?
Last reply by Story, -
- 1 reply
- 476 views
I think it safe to say that pipe smoking was the predominate form of tobacco use, however is there any evidence of cigar use during this period? When did the Caribbean become the cigar and tobacco center it is today? (aside from the 59 Cuban revolution and it's resulting exodus of the major grower families.)
Last reply by JoshuaRed,
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