capn'rob

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!

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