capn'rob

Aye. This be Dutch. Bosun o the "Meka"II, 8 Guns, Horatio Sinbad, Master. Clap on ta' this here, I be attendin this here gatherin,' but I doesn't stay ashore. No, can't abide by the land fer mor' an e few hours or so. But Avast! Dutch will be berthed over ta' Schooner Wharf wi' a tidy berth an no watch ta stand. Dutch X his mark

Hope to see you in camp for a bit of the festival...Say ahoy to Sinbad from Sterling when you get the chance. Tell him I asked if he were taking good care of "my" boat...

Aye, Captain Steerling, Will give compliments and reminders as well. The "Sword of Tortuga" progresses.

Latest update from Fayma via email today (Nov. 11)

Bring firewood, hammocks are ok (take down in daytime), bring any extra rope you can, showers are good, soap issue pending, braziers for one and all are good, any type will be fine, in modern camping the colemans work too.

Greetings Capt. Steerling, As to the before mentioned cordage. What size and length might ye desire and will ye be likin' hemp or manila? I have a goodly supply at Commander Lauderdale's Fort up the coast and I will be calling there before Bones Cay. Dutch "X' his mark

As it applies to women aboard ships. In the History of American Whaling, the average voyage was four years. Some of the Captains were Ship Owners or Major Shareholders. As a result some chose to bring their wives and in some cases, their families. Accomodations "abaft the mast" were quite fine for the Capt. In the case of the "C.W. Morgan", the Shiip's Carpenter built a small cabin on deck to fit a bunk for the Mrs. to have better ventelation in the warmer climes.

In the histories of many of these women their importance on these ships became more pronounced. In one incidence, the Capt.'s wife became the ship's Navigator. The Capt. yielded this task because his wife was a more accurate Celestial Navigator. Tragically, the Captain died, mid-Pacific. The Officers all agreed, the Command should be passed to the Captain's Wife should she agree to take it. She completed the voyage with Oil, Baleen and Bone enough to turn a tidy profit for the Company. Bad Luck? I'd say no, well maybe for the Captain.

Also of note. The average crew member, before the mast, for his toil, backbreaking work and danger of angering creatures of 20 ton or more would receive a surprpising sum at the end of the voyage. The pay was called a Lay. The so many hundredeth of the whole. This amount then less the advance for any shore leave. This was rare for the conditions were so harsh many would abandon the ship. The Slop Chest always took a big hit also. This was clothing and other sundries a sailor may need during this period. It was purchase cheap and sold dear by the Captain. The average net pay at the end of an average voyage was $4.00! Four dollars! Although, you were fed. Rotten Salt Horse, Weavely Bread and stale water!

they stood against the tyranny of Rome.

(spit-take)

The what...???

Perhaps I should rephrase. They fought to the Death because they weren't very nice neighbors.

I can Highly Recomend this Book as the Best Primer on Sailing ever written. It is only 62 pages. The Author illustrated and hand printed it. He avoided anything beyond the most basics for beginning to sail.

"THE CRAFT OF SAIL" by Ian Adkins. you can find it on line at Wooden Boat Magazine's Wooden Boat Store.

When I taught sailing in the 70s the students had to study the Red Cross Book for their classroom and test. However, to actually understand sailing and practice its basics, we used this book.

I was aboard of her in 1990. She was made fast to Chubbs Wharf at Mystic Seaport Museum, head of the wharf, spars lashed to her deck. I was aboard of my Motorsailor "Fortune Coockie", 5 Tons, Homeport Miami. There was an awesome Fife Yawl and the Motorsailor "Burma" there as well. The "Charles W Morgan" was in her usual place on the wharf as well.

My longest Open Ocean Passage was from the Perlas Islands in the Bay of Panama to the Marquesas, French Polynesia. 28 days. Upon leaving the Canal Zone we made for Isla Cantadora, a very fine resort island. When the Shah of Iran, ran, that's where he ran to! we then went to Isla del Rey. There we cleaned the bottom, tuned the rig and did the final stowing of gear. We rescued a Leatherback Sea Turtle in the beginning of the trip and got the Trade Winds quite early according to the Pilot Charts. I believe it was the Turtle and so did the Polynesians! We crossed the Equator at 96 degrees west, verified by the flushing of the head. Like that Turtle, we all became Shellbacks that day, in the Court of King Neptune. We made the Marquesas in 28 days. Our best days run was 238 miles! This was on an Alden Ketch with a waterline of between 35 and 38 feet. What a trip! We stayed 30 days in the Marquesas then made Hawaii in 18 days. On the 16th day we saw the peaks of Moana Loa and Moana Kea! Above the clouds!

I would have to say, without having to take this test, that in my younger days I had what it took to cross long passages of open Ocean. I've encountered Seas fair and foul. I've tried my hand at commercial fishing, Passenger Ferry Service, Frieight, Yacht Deliveries, Charters and private yachts. Aye, a Sailor I have been.

These days I live on my boat. I chose my weather carefully. I mostly travel the Intracoastal Waterway and concider those open bodies of water before I leave the dock. I will go offshore under certain circumstances: I require a cabin steward, waiter and busboy. A crew to guest ratio of no less than 2 guest to 1 crew. It must be an older Ocean Going Liner not one of these new slab sided buildings with a pointed end. Or at best a Star Line Ship "P" Liner 4 masted Cruise Ship. That will get me off shore again.

Ed, let's not forget Grania Mhaille ("Grace" O'Malley), the Irish thorn in good Queen Bess' side. We know she was real because there are English accounts of her petitioning Elizabeth I for the right to raid enemy (read: Spanish) ships off the Irish coast. The problem is that she'd sometimes raid English ships too if the pickings were slim. So Bess kept having to call her in and lock her up and teach her a lesson.

There are some tales (mostly from Morgan Llywellen's novels) that indicate she dressed as a man, but nothing in the real historical record (or even the Irish legends about her) indicate that she didn't dress as a woman. She was the owner of her ship and that doesn't even confirm that she sailed on it herself, quite frankly.

The fact that Grania gets protrayed as a breeches-wearing pirate at Ren Faires should not be mistaken for fact...

Patrick, to add to your argument from a time period closer to the GAoP, there are numerous well-documented accounts of women fighting in the American Revolution -- at first dressed as young boys and then openly dressed as women. The Continental Line was just too short of man-power to refuse "women-power". And there are even cases of women drawing veterans' pensions from the government -- not as widows, but as veterans themselves.

Now, that being said, America had a tradition by that point of not exactly behaving as England would have. So we must ask ourselves if women did this in England in the GAoP.

My take is that there probably were cases of women dressing as men and making their way aboard pirate ships. But we probably know about the few cases because they were so very rare and unusual.

And anyway, who on earth would want to wear breeches and look like a boy when you could wear fabulous girl clothes?!?!

If we can go back a bit further, Queen Bhudica of the Celts, after the death of her husband, rallied the Celts against the Romans and were quite sucsessful for a brief time. Her daughters led beside her. The Romans forces were reenforced, of course, bringing the conquoring of the Celts but for a while they stood against the tyranny of Rome.

Saw this on another board I'm on and thought it might be of interest to some here abouts:

From: Damian Siekonic <damian@privateermedia.com>

Subject: [FandIWAR] 18th Century Paid Boat Event - "Battle of the Restigouche" July 9-10-11, 2010

To: FandIWAR@yahoogroup s.com

Date: Friday, October 30, 2009, 12:35 PM

Greetings Everyone,

I have just returned from Campbellton, New Brunswick, Canada where I attended a planning meeting for the "Battle of the Restigouche" event taking place the weekend of July 9-10-11, 2010. My company has been asked to assist with the programming, and as such have been given the authority to negotiate paid stipends for boats to attend.

The event committee is looking for boats that are 20' or larger and capable of carrying ten or more crew. The boats will be asked to participate in the weekend's programming on both sides of the Restigouche River, between the towns of Campbellton, NB and Pointe a la Croix, QB.

The budget for the event is impressive, with stipends of $2,000 per boat (yes, two thousand dollars), with more money possible for much larger vessels and those traveling greater distances.

I drove to Campbellton to see what the road conditions were like first-hand, and it was very favorable. Campbellton is only five hours north of Bangor, ME and taking Interstate 95 north to the end, then Canadian Routes 2W and 17N, the roads were all in great shape with no construction to speak of. I made the drive there from 50 miles north of Philadelphia in 15 hours.

The Restigouche River is very boat friendly. There is a deep-water boat launch on the QC side of the bridge connecting the two towns which I personally inspected, and from the launch to the town wharf in Campbellton it's about a quarter mile. There is a tide, but nothing unmanageable. To emphasise the importance the event is placing on boats attending, the town wharf is being given to the boats for their exclusive use, and the naval camp is going to be

located in a graded lot adjacent to the wharf so that the boat owners and naval reenactors have immediate access to the boats at all time. There will be security for the boat trailers, and the local Rangers will be patrolling the River overnight to make sure the boats remain safe while at their moorings.

I will be putting together additional information about the event over the next several days, including photos that I took while there. Boats who are interested in attending are being listed with me on a first-come-first- serve basis. This list will be used to prioritize those boats who will be paid to attend, and allow for alternates in case someone can't make it. It's the intention of the event organizers to have enough funds to pay for at least a dozen boats.

If anyone has any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me directly at (610) 972 9981 or via email at "damian(at)privatee rmedia.com. "

All the best,

Damian Siekonic

Privateer Media, LLC

www.privateermedia. com

damian@privateermedia.com

Thought that more than a few folks could use a paid gig & $2 grand + is nothing to sneeze at

Thank Ye, I have forwarded the info to the Captain of our vessel, the Armed Brig "Meka"II, 8 Guns, Homeport Beaufort, NC. If ye shall be at the gatherin' on the Cayo o' Bones, we be lookin' fer ye. Ye'll recomember us'n by this here post! Dutch "X" (his mark)

So, I have a foc'sle.

So, some of us had it cut off at birth...

As "We of the Tribes" know, once snipped, the ends are sent to Ireland. There, they are planted in the ground and when they grow up, they send them back here as Cops!!

Aye. This be Dutch. Bosun o the "Meka"II, 8 Guns, Horatio Sinbad, Master. Clap on ta' this here, I be attendin this here gatherin,' but I doesn't stay ashore. No, can't abide by the land fer mor' an e few hours or so. But Avast! Dutch will be berthed over ta' Schooner Wharf wi' a tidy berth an no watch ta stand. Dutch X his mark

I crew for L.A.M.I. (Los Angeles Maritime Institute) aboard the Exy & Irving Johnson, twin brigantines, and I have been sailing recreational crafts for 25 years.

Dear "Poopdeck Pappy", My Dad was an Animator and Story Writer for the Fleischer Bros., 1931-38. He did Popeye, Betty Boop and Coco the Clown. He also was a Maritime Artist extraordinaire! On a subsequent posting on this heading by "Cross" is a photo of three 17th century ships. One of them is the "Susan Constant", the vessel that brought the settlers to Jamestown. In the Virginia Statehouse there hang only two paintings. One is an 18th c. of the Surrender of the British somewhere in VA and the other of the "Susan Constant" by Griffith Bailey Coale. My father apprenticed to Mr Coale as a Muralist in 1929. The major project they undertook has just been restored in NYC. It's 225 feet long, titled "A Pagentry of Ships Through Commerce Over the Ages". It starts with phonecian Galleys and ends with the most modern three funneled steamer of the US Line. There's even a Dirigible and a Bi-Plane overhead to show how "modern" this scene was!

I've attached a photo of a pen and ink that Dad did in 1931 of three McCallister Tugs and one Lighter on the Hudson River. He had just received his Fine Art Degree from Yale and it was the height of the Depression!

As Boatswain of the Privateer Brig "Meka"II, I was ordered to prepare a proper Cat-o-Nine Tails in order to dole out needed floggings. The normal number being a dozen for run of the mill offences to "Moses' Law", being 40 less one.

I made the device using 1/8th inch, hard laid cotton twine. I used ten lengths of two fathom each, seized them about two feet in and worked them into a continuous crown sennit around a 1/2" dowell of about 6". At the short end I fixed a Star Knot. At the other I used a Wall and Crown. Once drawn tight, I cut one strand or "Tail". With the remaining ends I tied a few nasties. At the tip of each strand and at a few inches in there was either a figure eight or 2,3 or 4 turn Blood knot. With a liberal dose of Stokholm Tar she's quite the charmer! Unless at the wrong end, I suppose.

I, Dutch of the Brig "Meka"II, shall make the great journey across the Hi-rise Bridge from Morehead City to Beaufort. In great hope that numbers of the Bretheren shall be encamped at the Old Town Grounds. There upon to eat, drink and make merry!

Haven't heard much in the way of plans for this year's raid. Is anyone planing to make the trek to Beaufort, NC?? We had a great time there last August and we want to make the trip again this year.

As the Broadside printed last year put it so well, Pilage, Mayhem and Murder! Bring the wife and Kids!! My favorite time last year was at the campfire at midnight singing with the Crews and the local constabulary sitting close by to enjoy!

FYI! Wooden Boat Mag has a forum on, you guessed it, wooden boats that has a world wide network for just such issues as this.

I have spent the most part of my life at work on the water either at sea, getting ready to go to sea or some work related. In 1979 I delivered a 56' sailboat to Hawaii from Panama. From the Perlas Is. in the Bay of Panama to the Marquesas, French Polynesia we were 28 days. The majority of which we were due west. Every night the sun would set off our bowsprit. Although we'd look every night, once! once in 28 days with a perfectly clear sky to the horizon did we see the Green Flash. As the upper limb of the sun slipped below the horizon there was a brief appearance of similar size as the sun in green. I've not seen it since. I've sailed the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea and although conditions are what I thought would be permissive, I've yet to see it again.

I've had shipmates that have pissed more salt water than most folks have sailed over yet they've never seen the Green Flash. And those guys could spin a yarn that would spin your head! It's just that some things are sacred. You don't put a hatch cover on deck upside down. You don't say the words pig, pork or egg/s. You sure in hell don't whistle up a wind. Aye, the Green Flash. I've seen it once and glad I did. 28 days offshore gets old after a while but after the trips are done, you're ready to go again! Capn'Rob

I've just posted my Art Chest in my profile photo albums. My medium is Ink! Capn'Rob