Joe Pyrat

queue

START

Most everyone uses Skipper Bob's guides. There is one for anchorages and one for marinas. They also do updates online. Aside from those I have two pubs onboard (we are talking ICW here going off shore is in some ways simpler). The Intracoastal Waterway Chartbook Norfolk, Virginia to Miami, Florida is a flip chart book with margin notes. I highly recommend this book although it is $70 it is worth it. The second is the Waterway Guide. Depending on where you start you may need the Chesapeake Bay Edition, the Atlantic ICW Edition and the Southern Edition. These are very good for seeing what there is to do ashore and marina information. If you are not retiring immediately start by taking some classes (USCG, USPS, US Sailing, ASA) and see what you like. Charters are a way to try with out buying. Volunteering to crew with some of your local racers is one way to get free sailing experience. Once you have some sea miles under your belt, start with someghing smaller like a Catalina 22 (sail) or some smaller power boat (not a power boater so can't help here). If you want more info, IM me and I'll hook you up with some good boating resources. I started in Haver de Grace, Maryland (northern most end of the Chesapeake Bay) and have made it to Saint Auguatine so far. I'm just heading south, but there are the snowbirds who run south in the winter and head back north in the summer. Then, of course, there's the Caribbean mate. Arrrr!!! And since you are on this board, there are a number of interesting historical opportunites along the ICW like the Great Dismal Swamp Canal (surveyed by George Washington), Charleston (got adicted to cannons there), and Saint Augustine (more Cannons) just to mention a few.

There is the Black Raven in Saint Augustine. Photograph by Tiger Lee who is available to do pirate portraits in Saint Augustine and does outstanding work.

AFAR

One interesting method of cooking fish I saw at Founder's Day in Charleston was placing the fish on a board and laying it in the coals at the edge of the fire. They may have soaked the wooden shingle in water before using but unfortunately I didn't ask.

I don't know if they have any historical precedence, but I'd sure not like to be handling black sails under a tropical sun. I can attest that stepping, bare footed, onto a black deck fitting will get your attention.

Dope

Harem

The Botafuego (linstock) we use at the Castillo resembles a three tonged pitchfork. The center tong is specifically designed to be use to spike a cannon if necessary.

Oh, that's why...

POTS

lack

Well that kills my initial response... 1. EPIRB 2. VHF Radio 3. Lots of Water So here's the 1600/1700 list 1. The carpenters tool kit 2. All the live animals aboard 3. Lots of Water

Anything is possible, the impossible just takes longer

lads

I was shown one of the Spanish muskets recently. It was love at first sight...

Red, what kind of boats? Would you be interested in finding them a good home? PM me if you are interested.

Interesting, any idea what the percentage of people who could read was, excluding the upper classes? Teach is often mentioned as being unique among pirates in his ability to read and write so it appears that the percentage was not high. It would seem that the merchant class and above may have been more literate then sailors though. What made me wonder regarding the cost was a conversation we had at the Castillo this weekend regarding the making of paper cartridge tubes becoming a cottage industry where the producer was paid only 1 cent per 100. When combined with other sources regarding wages and the practice of often reneging on paying owed wages I was wondering how much of a luxury item these would be among the commoners. However if they were producing them in quantity there must have been a market for them. Edit... Oh, BTW Mission, there is a gentleman at the Castillo who is our surgeon and has an extensive collection of medical gear. I mentioned you were also very interested in the period medical arts but we didn't have time to continue our conversation. Would you like me to pass along your email address? PM me if you like.

FYI, the Nina and Pinta are currently in Saint Augustine until the 16th if anyone's in the area.

Aye, a sailor I be...

DONE

My point was not reference availability, but about affordability. What was the cost glasses at the time? Since the lenses could not be mass produces I would guess the cost was substantial and unless a person could just not function without them they would make due and not spend the money. Pirates, of course, have the ability to bypass such economic issues. :)

My thought on whether or not to wear glasses is that most common citizens would not be able to afford them so I don't wear them (my long range glasses). I can see well enough that this isn't a problem so I carry my reading glasses in my pocket for those moments when they are needed. If your vision requires them then wear them (even if you don't have PC frames) as safety trumps PC every time. This, of course, depends on who you are protraying. If it's some lord or other welthy individual then they would be appropriate.

Over eating