MarkG

For pirates who want to prove their mettle, try this. Four people are going to try to recreate Captain Bligh's 4,400 voyage. Bligh had a crew of 18 in a 45-foot, open boat. These guys are trying it with 4 people in a 25-foot, open boat. Mark

Also mention that pirates had a form of insurance. The articles usually specified lump sum payments for losing a limb or eye. Mark

I forgot about that one, even though I've eaten there a couple of times. It incorporates the oldest brick structure in Savannah. They claim to have a different ghost haunting each room including Captain Flint (that was his treasure in Treasure Island - I'm not sure how a fictional character can haunt a restaurant). The food is good but it is expensive. Mark

I usually have to drive 9+ hours. Two hours doesn't even get me out of Ohio. Mark

The knit caps were known as Monmouth Caps. You can find these easily with a Google search. A lot of sailors, which would include pirates, wore a fuzzy version called a Thrum Cap. It resisted water better than a regular knit cap. You can also Google these. Mark

I'll be driving past there to pick up the Black Sheep. Maybe I'll have time to swing by and take a look. I tried to see it several times in the 1980s. The foundation that was formed to run it lost interest after they took over some 19th century ships and they never seemed to have the Sea Lion open. Their site says that it was sold to a group in Buffalo but I remember seeing an article at the time that said that they pretty much gave it away (a dollar might have changed hands). Mark

The Dove at Historic Saint Mary's City Jamestown Settlements has four ships - the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, the Discovery, and the Elizabeth The Mayflower at Plimoth Plantation The Adventure at Charles Town Landing The USS Constellation US Brig Niagara Pride of Baltimore II Royaliste The Salem Friendship

I know of two. The best is the Queen Anne's Revenge in Charleston, SC. It has a Blackbeard theme. The restaurant has a number of real antiques from the GAoP and lots of reproductions. Every table has some sort of reproduction. The walls are covered with Howard Pyle paintings. There is also a pirate-themed bar in downtown Charleston. We went to another one somewhere in North Carolina. It is visible from I-77 and I think it is north of Charlotte but it didn't seem to be near anything. It is decorated with pirate figures and nautical props. It was also inexpensive. Mark

I wanted to put some teak oil on the flooring of my boat. First I needed to swab off the mud from last year. That meant moving a bunch of stuff so that I could roll the boat out of my garage. The stuff I had to move included: two swivel guns of different sizes, two wooden buckets, a wood crate (for camping gear, not treasure), and a wooden barrel. I'm pretty sure that I'm the only person in my neighborhood who has to move cannons in order to get to his boat. Does anyone else have an interesting garage? Mark

Don't forget fish. Calico Jack robbed fishing vessels of their catch. Mark

First problem - most "pirate festivals" are commercial ventures and have very little authenticity. There are authentic pirate events. The Pirates of Paynetown is in Indiana and has a high level of authenticity. Mark

According to Six Galleons for the King of Spain, only larger ships had a seat of comfort - a plank with a hole in it. On smaller ships you used the railing and it was up to you not to fall. This was written about ships in the early 17th century but I doubt that it changed much over the next century. Space would be at a premium on small ships so it would be hard to justify space for sanitary activities. I wonder if they would use a bucket instead of a chamber pot at least common sailors? Buckets don't break in rough seas.

And of course you did your business at the pointy end since the win was coming from the stern. This kept you and your ship as clean as possible. It also carried away the stink if you missed. Mark

Yep, most of the participants sleep on the ship. A few do the hotel thing, and there was one or two talking about staying at a local camp ground and commuting in daily, but like I said, most sleep on the decks of the ship. If you can make it, you will want to read this web page as it has most of the basic information, anything else you need to know, you can ask here, or email or private message me about. Would love it if you and/or your lady could make it up for this one! It was great hanging out with you in St. Augustine! The barge/ship shop is also available if we have an overflow. It isn't a tall ship and, depending on the river level, it might be at an angle, but it does have four walls and a solid roof. Mark

We have gotten the Columbus Zoo to bring animals down to the ship for special occasions. We have had pygmy goats under the forecastle. I don't think that they would care for a pirate event. Some of their animals don't get along with gunfire. Animals were common on long voyages - pigs and goats for fresh meat, hens for fresh eggs and more fresh meat. Mark

Actually, it was based on the average weaver's reach. The shuttle was passed back and forth by hand so the loom was narrow enough that passing the shuttle didn't slow weaving. Wider widths didn't come about until mechanical looms were invented. Mark

Further information - The ship has parking passes for Veteran's Memorial. Mark

Pirates 4 will be shot in 3D (no surprise). There is a rumor that Johnny Depp is lobbying for Mick Jagger to have a cameo. Mark

Nate has talked about bringing the Princess to the Santa Maria so we should have credible fleet there, at least for a river. Mark

There will be a race going on Saturday morning. This will block access to the ship from most sides. The link shows the race route. The ship is just to the let of the "S". People will need to plan on arriving Friday night or approaching downtown from the west and parking across the river at Veteran's Memorial. Mark

This will be a sorority reunion. Expect mature women. Mark

I'm hoping to convince Mikey to get a trailer hitch so that I can have both out at the same time. Mark

Most of the comments I got were about wearing the thrumb cap..... "are you having a bad hair day?" None of the rennies even knew what I was.... OH well...... I love thrum caps - they always get strange reactions. Mine is too hot to wear in the sun but I usually have it handy for rainy days. Mark

I'm seriously looking into buying her. Next I'll get a big hat and start calling myself "Commodore". Mark

I have a 10" Walker Bay Dinghy that I no longer use and I am offering for sail. These are (nearly) indestructible plastic boats with a lapstrake design that makes them look traditional. The seats are bright blue and the floor is a light gray. For pirate events, something would have to be done about the seats. I saw one of these at PiP that someone had painted up to look like a wooden boat. The boat is in good condition. I have a better boat so I don't anticipate needing it again. These sell for over $1,000 new but I will take $500. The boat only weighs 105 pounds so it can be carried on a car roof or in a truck bed. Mark