capn'rob

Why Back yer Mains'ls! About, about! Ye must attend the Pirate Invasion of Beaufort in Arrrgust the 13th and 14th. Ze'll be stoppin' t' call upon yer ol' shipmates at the Museum. Be like ol homeweek fer ye. We'll keep an eye peeled ta windward fer ye, Josephine Legard.

Well now, t'is always a joy ta welcome a new member o' th crew. We hopes ye will be comin down t' Beaufort, NC fer tha Ivayshun on th 13th and 14th o' August. There be many o' th folks ye wuz abouts wit at Deltaville.

"Feh"! A term of discust or contempt in Yiddish. The Language is a Mideval German, Hebrew, Aramaic with Slavic, Old French and Old Italian mixed in. I think that, as with most Yiddish words, it sounds like what it means.

After Hurricane "Wilma" tore through Fort Lauderdale some of the saddest wreckage I saw in her wake was the uprooting of these ancient Live Oaks that stood around the Memorial Park Cemetary. The huge Banyans remained due to their roots dropping from the branches as they spread wide from their trunks. weeks later I saw these huge sections being loaded on flatbeds and in curiosity inquired as to their destination. I was told they were headed for Connecticut, "Mystic?" I asked and the answer was yes! This is but one photo of the oak sawn for Futtocks, to make up Double Sawn Frames. I have posted a few others in my Gallery.

The Schooner in the background is the "Amistad".

Aye, a sad affair, so true. I can only wish a fellow shipmate a pleasant journey to Fiddler's Green. Fare ye well. Soft watches and may yer anchor light burn brightest.

Great stuff, Mark. What I really liked was the first print. The Twine Needle the man is using looks just like the ones in my rigging bag and ditty bag. I would guess by the presence of that anchor with the nets he may be mending twine for a Fish Trap, alias wier or pound. One of the first fisheries in the Colonies it was taught to the "new neighbors" by the Wampanaug of the Naragansett Nation. At least for the New Englanders.

briggs was the small brass tube that grace fired the first day. She is named after layne briggs, owner of the tugentine Norfolk Rebel. We borrow her from the Briggs family every year and this is the only time she is ever fired. Layne was one of the driving forces behind the festival and a large supporter of the conservation of the chesapeake bay. he also co-founded the Great Chesapeake Schooner Race. Here is his memorium from the crews site.

"Captain Briggs was the heart of the sea in Hampton Roads for as long as any can remember. A driving force in all maritime activities in the area including Harborfest and The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, he spoke for so many mariners during his time. His innovative "Tugantine" can still be seen at area festivals each year."

Blackbeards crews gun is actually "Le Bebe" she is french and goes le boom.

Thank you posting this, Dutch. Capt. Briggs was a man apart in his drive, ideas and passion for the Bay and the Sea at Large. Having never met him I have the pleasure of knowing Terry Briggs and I feel the "apple falls not far from the tree"! So long I've dreamed of the sense of sail assisted commercial and pleasure boats and ships. Capt. Briggs brought that dream to reality. Like my last vessel, Terry also has a motorsailor. Made an awful lot of sense to me.

Once again, a pleasure to serve with you and Grace. I look forward to your arrival in Beaufort. I think if I get started now, I can get "Patience" looking semi-civilized for you to see! Until then, Shipmate, Fairwinds and smooth seas, Double Dutch

Greetings and Salutations to our resident Nightingales, By your leave, may I present, from forward, aft, alow and aloft, the guns of the "Meka"II.

The one ye hopes not t' be starin' down, "Georgie", Bow Gun, Lt. Brown. Chief Officer.

Starboard, 1st swivel, "Pernell", during one engagement Pernell was fired on by "his" gun! manned by Dutch, meself, at the time. A true"insult to injury. ."

The following is the cannon crew for Hampton, "Battle of Ocracoke".

Bow Gun, Lt. Brown.

1st Swivel, "Pernell", manned by Dutch o' Blackbeard's Crewe.

Abaft, is "Black Boot", manned by Gracie.

Abaft o' she, "Molly" small brass swivel, arms reach of Capt. Sinbad or handled by "Slowmatch", Powder Monkey.

Port side, forward. "Mr. Steele",1st Swivel , during engagement, Mr. Pernell.

"Stray Dog", manned by Don Juan.

"Sara", as with "Molly" an identicle twin, named for the Captain's twin daughters. By the Cap'n or Slo'match.

"Col. Bouche' " is the third small brass swivel. mounted in the Fighting Top. It would be handled by any manjack sent aloft to do so. "Growl ye may but go ye must!"

Words and such bein' spliced and siezed t'gether by Dutch, Bosun, "Meka"II, Armed Brig, 8 Guns, Beaufort, NC. Master, Capt. Horatio Sinbad. Chief Officer, Lt. Terry Brown. Powder Monkey/Cadet, Nicolo, "Slowmatch".

hey mates,

i'm looking for a source for tarred sailors hats. double dutch, you gave me your source and i forgot it.

Ahast, Shipmate! I did? The company is Hatcrafters. Their website is www.hatcrafters.com the tarred hats are on page 10. The one I have is the "Jack Tar". They use a felt hat which is Varnished then painted. They gave me quite a wait time but said if they had a blank started it would be sooner. I don't think it was a week! Very nice lady that does the ordering. Just a note, they supply the tarpaulin hats to the sailors aboard the Flagship of the First Naval District, none other than "Old Ironsides" Herself, The USS Frigate "Constitution"!

Avast all! T'is with no doubt that the Beaufort Pirate Invasion is on schedule. The website is www.beaufortpirateinvasion.com and is active and up to date. Rusty Cutlass will be back this year and for those who haven't heard them, you'll stand a treat sez I. So, we be seein' ye at the Ol Towne o' Beaufort Aug. 13th!

Those sheep are something else! Enough to make a ewe turn! Disregard any stories they tell, they all lie!

Avast me Shipmates! T'is meself, Dutch, Bosun o' th "Meka"II. We be underway, second day, bound North'rd for the Roadstead and on t' Hampton. Spent last night in a quiet anchorage th' south'rd end o' th' Alligator Pungo Canal. We'ns have aboard a new cadet wot be Grandson to our Commander, Cap'n Sinbad. Fine feller, smart as paint! He be larnin' the ropes from Slowmatch. We spectin ta make Hampton on Thursday and look for'rd t' sees ya . all!

Cap'n Sterling, wi' his compliments, Capt. Horatio Sinbad be a'waitin yer callin upon the "Meka" an a meetin in th' Great Cabin.

Sealkie, I sawr this movin picture about the Sealkie what lived off an Island o' Irie! T'was a tale I'd be wantin' ta hear agin!

All the Best ta Ye one and All! Dutch "X" (his mark)

By yer leave Captain Sterling, and wi' his compliments, Captain looks for'ard to a gam wi ye aboard o' th "Meka" oncet we be all secured an sech. I be lookin for'ard meself. Safe journey and Godspeed! Dutch "X" (his mark)

I have my own "Ship". Built and marketed as the "Mini-Ship 34" by John Rhodes, Lighthouse Point Marine, Lighthouse Point, FL. What makes her a ship? She has a "boat deck". Her dinghy is carried on the coachtop accomodated by a davit. Her name is "Patience", she's power by a Perkins 6-354,135 h.p. Diesel. Best put, she "drinks 6, feeds 4 and sleeps 2!" Her hull is fiberglass, hand laid-up in Maine for the Lobster Fishery and finished by Rhodes. Her interior is African Mahogany with some beautiful joinery work. She's been my home since 1993 and I've cruised her from the Florida Keys to the Southern Outer Banks of North Carolina.

That said, let me go on to say that having worked in the Marine Industry from painting bottoms to Captain of some fine yachts, it ani't easy and it ain't cheap! The most expensive boats always seem to be the free ones! Callenish hit the nail on the head with some figures on "normal upkeep". That doesn't include the ever breaking, not "normal upkeep" items that are what gave these money pits their name, b.o.a.t. That's Break Out Another Thousand!

Before such a commitment as ownership I would recomend first become a crew member on a vessel of the type you would like to own. First, you would know if that's what you want and then what it takes to handle it. How big a crew, how it manuevers and such. If you still want to own a boat after that, Start Small! Begin with something you can handle yourself.

When I sold my last boat I was thrilled! I had just been relieved of 5 tons of Teak! Oh, I had loved her. We'd traveled over 5'000 miles but again, 5 tons of Teak. Soon after I found myself joyous again for I had found "Patience" and her only Teak was her hand rails! (now varnished mahogany).

Avast ye all! Them whats be a'goin to Hampton in the Virginia Colony. The "Meka"II will be settin sail Tuesday bound fer Hampton. Our Commander, Capt. Horatio Sinbad, Lt. Brown, "Slow Match", Powder Monkey, Black Bart, Feathered Fearless Friend and meself, Dutch, Bosun t'will be aboard o' she. Whence ye see us, come alongside and give a hail. We be lookin fo'rd to this sioree and other mischiefs goin on abouts the port.

Graneda was awesome in the early 70s. St. Marteen is beautiful and my preference is the Dutch side of the island. I don't care for the USVI except for commercial air access. I would have to say that my fondest memory of a Great Time in the Caribbean was 2002. For Mom's 90st Birthday I took her on a cruise on the m/s Maasdam, Holland America Line. At Grand Cayman Mom and I got from the ship to a launch with a good sea rolling, from the launch to a dock, to a bus, to a semi-submersable for a cruise out on the reef! While watching what appeared to be a tropical fish tank outside the ports, I asked mom if she'd ever seen anything like it. Mom said, "only on TV!"

We went on the s/s"Norway" for Mom's 91st and about six months later, we went again.

I have a great love of the Bahamian Out Islands. The further South, the better. Living in Fort Lauderdale it was less than 50 miles to Bimini so if you wanted to get away to an island, it didn't take much. Much of my sailing in the Caribbean was delivering boats so it was point "A" to St. Somewhere.

I have certainly seen a change in the atmosphere in the Islands since I first started sailing there in the early 70s. Though nothing stays the same for long. Bermuda has been consistant and is beautiful and has Pink Sand Beaches, Caves and is made up of a great number of small islands all together. Though Bermuda isn't in the Caribbean.

so i took a looksee at adams horse hoof tar. Its a little thinner than stockholm, but I like to thin it down to about that consistency to penetrate fibers anyhow. It doesn't smell the same, more of a leather smell would be a good description. Otherwise it walks like a duck and talks like a duck and seems to do the job.

Aye, Master Dutch, I thinks ye touched the major point, "it don't smell like a Duck!" On my long passage I tried an old sailoring trick of puttin a ball o' tarred marline in me clothes stowage to keep off the mildew. It worked! Could it have anything to do wi' the smell? A.G.A.Correa, makers of expensive gold knotwork jewelery used to sell a men's cologne called "Marlinespike". It had just the hint o' Stockholm Tar about it. Some folks love the smell. Even the webpage for American Rope and Tar is www.tarsmell.com So I guess this horse hoof stuff would serve a farmer well or them what's ain't bound for sea!

Aye, and as I hear tell, t'was a night to remember. The funds needed to secure the band and victual deposits was met. So now we just keep on finishing up the details! Thanks to all wot participated.

I'm finishing a restoration on my boat and upon completion the trip I want to make is the "Great Eastern Circumnavigation". That's up the Hudson, through the Erie Canal, the Lakes on to the Mississippi. Down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. Cruise the "Redneck Riviera" on down to the Big Bend and Florida's West Coast. At that point it's either through the Callusahatchie to Lake Okeechobee and the Loxahatchee or on down to the Keys. I'll be leaving from and returning to North Carolina.

As a younger man I sailed offshore to the Caribbean, the Bahamas. Sailed from New England to Bermuda and thought we'd never see land or another dawn! We did! I've sailed through the Panama Canal and across the Pacific to the Marquesas, French Polynesia then up to Hawaii. As a delivery crew man and later Captain, I logged several thousands of miles, all the while making a living.

My "Dream" cruise for the future is to ship my boat, deck freight on a container ship to Europe. Then spend several years criss crossing th3e canals of the Continent in the summer and digging the Med in the winter. In these three score years I've been around I've lived several of my dreams. I'm most grateful for that. I have also continued to reach for my new dreams with the same hope as always.

For Authentic Stockholm Rigging Tar as well as other Traditional Rigging supplies go to www.tarsmell.com American Rope and Tar Co.

An old sailor's addage: "Worm and parcel with the lay, turn and serve the other way."

When the East Indiaman "Friendship", Salem, MA was struck by lightning it fried her whole rig. My cousins were having lunch at a resturaunt right next to Derby Wharf at the time!!

I got there while the re-rig was being done. The serving mallets they were using had heads of 6" diameter and were fitted with spools that turned that would be loaded with twine. They automatically "passed the twine for you"! I intend to fit a similar rig to my new, smaller mallet as I'm retiring my serious unit for now.

A little side note. In the Virginia Statehouse there are only two paintings. All other art is statuary. One painting, done in the 18th century of a Revalutionary War Battle. The other is of the "Susan Constant" by Griffith Baily Coale. G.B.Coale was not just a prolific Maritime Artist. He was Commisioned by Admiral Nimitz as an Officer in the U.S. Navy as the official Navy Documenting Artist. England had an artist to record their sea battles for centuries. Coale did hundreds of paintings of which a large collection remain in Baltimore in the Navy's Archives. Another of his talents was Murals. In 1929 he was commisioned by a bank being built in NYC to paint a mural 225 feet long, the perimeter of their lobby, representing the advancement in commerce. Coale represented this in a "Pagentry of Ships through the Growth of Commerce". To help with this task he hired art students from a few of the area art schools. One was Yale and the student was my Dad. The building was just recently restored including the mural and on my next trip to Manhattan I am going to see it. The bank is now a private school and the lobby is used as a venue for parties, etc. You can see some of the mural on the website for "Broadstreetballroom" it starts with phonecians and egyptians and follows up to "modern time" with a dirigible and bi-plane overhead! That's how modern it was !!

I would be interested in getting involved with this project.

If it be a vessel wi' a fight in 'er, I sez contact Capt. Horatio Sinbad, Master and Commander o' the "Meka"II. 8 guns, Brig o' War, Homeport Beaufort, N.C. If'n ye wants t' see 'er as she does what she does, come to Beaufort August 13th and 14th and ye shall see her in action. Ye may call upon me, Dutch, Bosun o' the "Meka" t' get word through t' me Captain or ye may looks into yer pewter at www.pirate-privateer.com and see what they'ns have stuffed in that magical box. Wishin ye fair winds an hopin t' see ye in Charleston, hopefully in November, in the near future!

Thank you for this thread. My Grandfather served in the Spanish American War. He served in the State Guard in WWI, too. My Dad tried to enlist in WWII but he was too old, he served in the Guard on a munitions train form Winchesters to NYC's Docks. My Mother was a U.S.Army Nurse, 1st Lt. She served stateside for a while on a POW Ward. Mom passed 5 years ago. I was always so proud of her service. Both her brothers were active duty. Uncle Leon was USAF for 30 years. He's 90, married 63 years and in great shape. Uncle Sid was a Radio Signalman with the Army. After all other Operators were KIA, he remained at his post directing fire for over 70 hours. He was decorated and as a reward they gave him a radio, a book of silhouettes and dropped him on an island with 6 natives for two years! THeir only entertainment was Uncle Sid's Ukelele! If caught, the Japanese would have treated him as a spy! My Uncle Harold, Dad's Brother, was in the European Theater. My Uncle Harold, Mom's Brother-in-Law, was a Corpman. His outfit hit a beach in the Pacific and in minutes the doctor was dead and he was "it"! His background was Podiatry yet he was doing everything needed because he had to. I learned this from my Mom. He never talked about it. He was one of the best friends I ever had.

Because I can read, I thank a teacher. Because I can read in English, I thank the Veterans of WWII!