capn'rob

I don't know the dates of origin but the right side of the vessel being the "starboard" side came from pre-stern hung rudders when the "steer board" was positioned on the right aft quarter. The opposite side was called "larboard" until the late 18th century when "port" became the term. It is said that became the term because the steerboard would be damaged if docked starboardside to, so the other side became the "port"side. Again, I know not why but the Yankee Whalermen continued to use the term "larboard" through the industries days which ended in the closing of the 19th century.

Huzzah!

T'is custom in Newfoundland and as a matter of fact, just bad manners not to, that once a bottle of Screech (Newfie Rum+) is opened the cork is discarded. It would be like addressing an elder by anything other than "Uncle". While on the subject of those who abide on the "Rock", though not about the GAoP these people of the Sea have quite an History. One of the great writings about them is "Gray Seas Under" by Farley Mowat. In the book "Lone Voyager" by Howard Blackburn, he is rescued by some Newfoundland Outporters and nursed back to life after his near death trial in a Dory in a blizzard on the Grand Banks. To say "that was then, what about now?" I'd say, ask the people who's plane was diverted to Gander, NFD after the Terror Attack on 9/11. The emergency resources were overwhelmed immediately with the shelter at the school gym so everyone in the town took home as many people as they could fit. One couple returning from their honeymoon in Paris said they would rather return to Gander to visit the Friends they made there. People who Gave until they had no more to give. That is the Spirit of the Newfoundlander. True followers of the Sea. With one hell of a sense of humor, I might add! In closing I'd say "The Deamon Rum is to be punished!" Consume all you find and subject it to the acids and bile in your digestive system and with the total lack of care, pass it through your Bladders! Huzzah!

Capt. Scurvy, Aye, Mate. T'is meself, Dutch o' th "Meka"II. Before I retired and that was a while ago, I wouldn't step aboard a boat to move it for less than $150 a day running inside. Offshore was a different story entirely. If there was the least "grumble" I'd say "find someone else." If they are going to start whinning before you perform your part of the contract, you know they'll really start crying when it's time to pay you!! I make decorative knotwork. I believe the work is pretty good after all the years of practice. When someone asks me how much the pieces are and I tell them and the reaction is "That's a lot of money!" I ask them if they're are willing to work for $5.00 an hour. Because I'm not. No sir! Don't sell yourself short. If he can't appreciate a Six Hour Drive and the cost on your vehicle and the fact that your time is worth something while you're on the road, too, he can't afford you! This is something that will enhance his business like advertising and baby, that ain't free! As usual, that's my two cents! I look forward to seeing you at the Beaufort Invasion. Our website is now up! www.beaufortpirateinvasion.com Take care, Dutch "X" (his mark)

Congrats on your house find! All the hard work is certainly not going unrewarded. Now that the spring is here and the festivals start in earnest, perhaps you'll be able to get away for one. Although having just met you, I'm sure you'll be missed. Dutch "X" (his mark)

Avast! Back yer main yards and heave to! T'is wi' great joy that I tells ye that the website fer the Beaufort Pirate Invasion is up and running! Huzzah! x3 fer our web person, Laura. If'n ye be havin' any questions what ye ain't been answered there, why just PM me and I will do what I can do! Lookin forw'd ta seein ye there! Dutch "X" (his mark)

When I had a lower crown done I had a star raised in platinum so it it was surrounded by the porcelin. The locals loved it in the Caribbean!

Isn't that what they call it when you're underway?

My mistake. The new fragrance is called "Seized". Another favorite of mine, and it's ancient is Bay Rum. Columbus was introduced to the Bay Leaf and its many uses on his first voyage. It makes for a real soothing after shave.

Hey Dutch! Does Pine TAR have spirits or linseed oil in it? I've only used it for rigging service and on long passages, put a ball of tarred marline in my clothing drawers and lockers to ward off the mildew. Very effective for the later as well! As for the Smell. I find no other fragrance near as pleasing. A.G.A.Correa, the Nautical Jewellery Maker from Maine, carried a cologne call "Marlinespike". It had a good hint of Stockholm Tar to it. Some liked it and some, not so much. You know where my sentiments lay! They no longer have "Marlinespike" but they sent me another fragrance that they still had called "Spliced". It had an equally as pleasing fragrance, just less Tarry than the "Marlinespike". And the Fair Maid said "Oh I can't and I shan't and I won't go with you. You Tarry, Ramblin' Sailor!"

Would Stockholm Tar work for your application? If so, contact R&W Rope at www.rwrope.com . These folks have a great supply of rigging for traditional boats. In addition to cordage they have wood cheeked blocks, bronze fittings, winches and other hardware. There's me Tuppence, I hope it helps! Dutch "X" (his mark)

I have a book aboard titled "Return to Treasure Island". It's about Jim Hawkins as a man and, you guessed it, his return to Treasure Island. It's been some time since I've read it however I recall enjoying it and that's not usually the case for sequels that I've found. Particularly by another Author, and specifically when the Author is Robert Louis Stevenson! If you're interested, PM and I'll give you the particulars. I'll also chime in as to my current reading. The book is "Jewish Pirates of the Caribbean". "How a Generation of SwashbucklingJews Carved Out an Empire in the New World in Their Quest for Treasure, Religious Freedom and Revenge". Written by Edward Kritzler. This is the History of the Jews escapingthe Spanish Inquisition at the end of the 15th century. They sailed in ships bearing names "Prophet Samuel", "Queen Esther" and Shield of Abraham". They attacked and plundered the Spanish Fleet while forming alliances with other Eurpoean powers to ensure the safety of Jews living in hiding. The Pirate Barbarossa's next in command was Sinan, "The Great Jewish Pirate". The Pirate Rabbi, Samuel Palache who founded Holland's Jewish Community. Then we have the Henriques Brothers. Abraham Cohen Henriques and his brother, Moses. Moses captured the Spanish Silver Fleet in 1628. The Largest Heist in Pirate History! And I thought I was supposed to be a Doctor! Now I know why the Life at sea has come so naturaly for me. I suppose the Pirate Life is just a given at this point!

Avast! Mooseworth! T'is meself, Ol' Dutch o' th "Meka"II. Right fine appearal if I may say so, and I do so, sez I! I be askin if'n ye has plans ta'come down ta' Beaufort, NC fer th' Invasion wot takes place in August? T'will comence on Friday the 13th with th' Battle, on land and sea on Sat., the 14th. Sure t' be a good time with much merriment being made!

These instruments are just beautiful! Have you tried them stellar observation? I've been amazed at the skill of navigation by Pilots that used the instruments of this era. When I did my Pacific crossing in 1979 I had a Plastic Davis Sextant opposed to our Capt.s Tamaya from Weems and Plath. We both arrived at the same place! Just kidding! We came up with figures almost identical on our daily noon sights. He was far more skilled than I with star sights and would regularly come up with "Sailor's Cocked Hats"! In Hawaii I took over the boat and one of the first things I did was hire a local, Bruddah. This man could navigate by sea and wave conditions and wind. Every port we went to, a family member of his was Port Captain or close to him! We learned a lot from Bruddah Mark but most important was the real meaning of Aloha. I look forward to "putting eyes on them some day" at a festival, invasion or raid. Until as such time I wish you a fine breeze on the quarter, a fair, rolling sea and a soft anchorage at the end of the trip. Reef early! YHS, Dutch "X" (his mark)

The old rule for navagating Europe to the Wesr Indies was "Sail South until the butter melts then sail West." The Great Equatorial are Westerly, wind and current. on the outer boundries are counter currents. In the Atlantic, there is a great river. If you take all the rivers of the world and combine their flow, they would not equal the flow of the Gulf Stream! Hence the homeward bound route, hugging the America's East Coast. That current pulls a U-turn, actually drops off Coconuts and warmth on the South West corner of Ireland and continues South. Check out "Le Route d'rhumme". My French spelling may be off but the Rum route was the Europe to W. Indies course to trade with the Caribbean. Becoming the "Rhum Line" which became a part of practical, global navigation. It's similar with the California to Hawaii trip and why boats for sale are so many and so reasonable. From CA, it is a "sledride", off the wind, zip and you're there. Getting home, you must sail above the "Japan High" which is practically circumnavigating the Northern Pacific. The best visual for this would be the Pilot Charts. They are broken down to the four seasons and the Oceans and give wind and current "roses" based on averages kept since those mentioned in the preceeding post. You will see the routes laid out in "Great Circles". The Charts I mentioned are the Replicas by PoD. They look like the originals and were the birth of the Pilot Charts

Aye, fer meself, t' dwell in Tir na nO'g, t'would be me pleasure. Good health to ye, all!

These charts and their information were continuosly recorded and averaged and later became known as "Pilot Charts". I have only used a Pilot Chart once. It was on my Pacific crossing, Panama to the Marquesas, Fr. Polynesia and then up to Hawaii. They have "wind roses" and "current roses" through out the Ocean and are in sets of four, one for each season. The amazing thing to me was the acuracy. The most important was crossing the easterly counter currents, the "Doldrums". Fuel was dear so we didn't want to motor much. We looked to cross at the most narrow place and the chart was Spot On! We only motored for a half a day and although short on distance, we sailed the day before and after. The downside, the charts showed some pretty nasty weather just on the edge of the Trades and the counters and they were right! So I guess if you keep records of sea conditions for over 300 years, your averages start to get close! The Charts you have made are Beautiful. If I did not live on a boat with room for current charts, I should like to own one to remember the experience of the Pilot Chart.

I hope it wasn't my clothing measurements that brought this thought to mind! I consider this "Portly"!

Good on ye, sir! I be glad t' know ye be pleased. I, meself be a'waitin' me new short jacket and weskit. O' which I be sure t'will be o' th equal. Around these waters I hears o' none whats can compare ta th' fine stitchery o' this young Lady. To be true, Shipmate, an seein' as we'ns as almost slipped down the ways o' th same day, She be kind an humorin' t' th likes o' we Old Sea Dorgs! T'is many a tale, an true I tell ye, what I've added wi' me corey spondance and such a Lady what shall comment as t' th entertainment. Kind, Shipmate. Kind, I tell thee.

There is, for sure, in Morehead City where I live. Nothing cooler than a cake and a baby with no barriers!