madPete

March 26

9 hours ago, Tudor MercWench Smith said:

All cutlasses have been confiscated least the mutineers get a hold of them (again) and they have yet to figure out to reach the rum bottles but it's just a growth spurt or two away til they do at which time the bottles are bound to break.

Alas, twas done with some period appropriate(ish) scissors between breaking up brawls amongst the crew.

In other news, what does one do when one can't sleep at 12:30 at night from anxiety? Cut out the pattern for a Mantua and trim up some scrap linen into a neck scarf of course!

I guess this is one way to make up some time on my projects list....

Zoinks!

March 25

On 3/23/2024 at 7:41 PM, Tudor MercWench Smith said:

Ok so we are a month out from 1721 and I'm hitting the panic sewing phase .....except unlike last time I have not been meticulously sewing every spare second I get. Lol

So some executive decisions were made tonight... mainly I finally made the call to yoink the sleeves off the blue jacket I made during last round to turn it into a waistcoat. A waistcoat was the #1 thing I needed to add to my kit, and I have no good fabric in the stash, and budget for kit upgrades went out the door with the plumber last week so any hope of new fabric and patterns went off the table. All in all I think it was a good choice. Just gotta whip up the arm holes and if I get nothing else done, I will be good to go.

Your colorful language "I finally made the call to yoink the sleeves off the blue jacket"

has me asking... Is that done with a cutlass, a drunken pirate with a broken rum bottle, or a sailor's fid? 😁

March 24

The cloak is going to have to wait for another time. I wont need it for this event so...

March 24

Now... what to make for the auction???!

Whatever it is, can't be complicated or time consuming, not enough time...

March 24

natural linen slops complete and actually fit!

Now finishing up another pair of breeches, made of black cotton to get filthy looking. just needs buttons and button holes now

You know this cook needs a bath something awful, so I needed some clothing to fit the part. These black breeches along with an indigo dyed/faded/dirtied shirt and apron should fill the bill

March 24

by the way, the waistcoat looks great!

I need to finish my breeches, the leather roll for the kitchen utensils and something for the auction.

I was going to make some clothes for the trading blanket, but don't think theres time now.

March 24

Here is where I got that recipe. This guy knows what he is doing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHma3dpYqRw

The video is about 8 mins long and there are some good tips in there. If you need some shellac, drop me a line and I will send you a ziploc baggie full. But you need to start now.

Between getting the supplies, and dissolving the shellac is gonna take you a week or more. You have to let the shellac dissolve at least a couple days (video says a week). Shellac is also called french polish and can be found at wood working stores, but the quantity is way more that I needed for hats.

March 22

Ahoy and welcome aboard!

March 15

Registration for 1721 Life of a Sailor at Fort King George Hosted by Pyracy.com April 26 - 28 2024

Welcome to Registration for 1721 Life of a Sailor at Fort King George Event in Darien, Georgia. The 1721 event will run from Friday, April 26th through Sunday, April 28th.

Registration and a $30 registration fee is required to participate in this event and can be paid using Paypal, https://www.paypal.com/donate/... on or before Monday April 8.

Registration for Pyracy.com

We have approval for early set-up on Wednesday, April 24th (after 5PM) and Thursday, April 25 (all day) and breakdown Monday, April 29th (before noon). People arriving early must be in kit and open to 'loose' presentations (basic interpretation, Q&A, etc.) when interacting with the public.

A separate Volunteer Registration is Required by Fort King George and State Park Services for Information and Insurance. Fort King George Registration Form https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfK.../viewform.

March 14

Welcome aboard!

March 14

7 hours ago, michaelsbagley said:

Since all the khuul kidz gone done it... true to my word, I have become a trend follower.

I did at least opt for a different finish (classic black instead of distressed). But dang, these lanterns are nice.

Now you know why we rave about them!

March 13

welcome aboard!

March 12

9 hours ago, Stynky Tudor said:

I'll be sure to bring wooden bowls that Tudor Smith brought to the Alabama events, plus any eating utensils.

I'll have to double check, but I think I've got permission bring and use this large old copper cook pot, minus wooden shoe and dog toys.

Wow, we still need dish washing tubs. been keeping an eye out but they tend to be expensive.

I bet all the bowls fit inside that!

March 11

8 hours ago, Stynky Tudor said:

Holly smokes, that kitchen looks amazing!

we will need whatever serving bowls we have in our kitchen supplies. Working with the ranger for a iron pot to piss... er... cook in

March 9

Dec 30-31, 2024

PEEPS Fest

Did you know the fan favorite PEEP is made right here in Bethlehem? At the end of every year, the sweet marshmallow PEEPS are celebrated at the two-day PEEPSFEST at the iconic SteelStacks. Rated among the best New Year’s Eve drops in the nation by USA Today Readers Choice awards, PEEPS fans from all over the country come to celebrate New Year’s Eve with the 400-pound, illuminated PEEPS Chick Drop at 5:35 p.m. at this super family-friendly event. Make the end of 2024 sweet with fun activities such as ice skating, photo ops, fireworks, and live entertainment. You can find other unique New Year’s Eve traditions in the Keystone State here.

When: Dec. 30-31
Where: Bethlehem
Cost: $5

March 8

Bigger than a ships kitchen! wahoo!

March 6

With the shellac, you can sneak up on the firmness you want. I usually do 3-4 good soakings to get it where i want it. so 1 or two might be enough for your taste. its just a spray bottle and acts like windex or some thin fluid like that. The idea is to soak it not coat it with a layer. I think some people mix it far too thick.

February 29

33 minutes ago, Tudor MercWench Smith said:

This might be over extending my abilities and time, but I've been wanting to try my hand at Dutch oven campfire bread baking. So, should situations and needs allow, I'm happy to assist in making this delicious plan come to life!

By all means. after breakfast the fire should be available until about 4pm when we start the stewpot. There may be more than one available also.

February 29

Meals included with registration fee

From the stew pot...

Friday Supper:

Potato Soup w/green onions or leeks, garlic/milk/butter/sourcream/vegi broth

Sides: Pork (Ham), bread (sourdough, or similar)/butter, green salad (romain, cucumber,tomato, dressing)

Saturday Breakfast:

Sailor's Bergoo (oatmeal) w/optional Toppings: Raisins, Molasses or Maple Syrup, walnuts, berries if in season

Sides: Apples, bananas

Saturday Supper:

Lobscouse (Beef Stew) w/cubed beef,carrots,onions,potatoes,corn,pease,broth

sides: bread (french or similar)/butter, green salad (romaine, cucumber, tomato, dressing)

Sunday Breakfast:

Sailor's Bergoo (oatmeal) w/optional Toppings: Raisins, Molasses or Maple Syrup, walnuts, berries if in season

Sides: Apples, bananas

If theres still budget after purchasing ingredients above, we'll have something for lunches. possibly bread cheese fruits

February 28

Even after the initial full scale effort, you always discover other items that become obvious and necessary after an event. We've all been there!

February 27

https://editions.covecollective.org/place/execution-dock

Execution Dock

Execution Dock was the site of a scaffold in Wapping, London, in the modern borough of Tower Hamlets. It was historically used to execute pirates, smugglers and mutineers. The last executions were in 1830.

In London Labour and the London Poor edition:

Phase 1

Of the Mud-Larks. (Volume 2): "Execution Dock to the lower part of Limehouse Hole, there are 14 stairs or landing-places, by which the mud-larks descend to the shore in order to pursue their employment. There are about as many on the opposite side of the water similarly frequented."

Coordinates

Latitude: 51.507217800000
Longitude: -0.127586200000

February 27

I ran across this site and the pictures just ooze with history...

https://spitalfieldslife.com/2016/05/08/watermens-stairs-in-wapping/

Watermen’s Stairs In Wapping

May 8, 2016

by the gentle author

Wapping Old Stairs

I need to keep reminding myself of the river. Rarely a week goes by without some purpose to go down there but, if no such reason occurs, I often take a walk simply to pay my respects to the Thames. Even as you descend from the Highway into Wapping, you sense a change of atmosphere when you enter the former marshlands that remain susceptible to fog and mist on winter mornings. Yet the river does not declare itself at first, on account of the long wall of old warehouses that line the shore, blocking the view of the water from Wapping High St.

The feeling here is like being offstage in a great theatre and walking in the shadowy wing space while the bright lights and main events take place nearby. Fortunately, there are alleys leading between the tall warehouses which deliver you to the waterfront staircases where you may gaze upon the vast spectacle of the Thames, like an interloper in the backstage peeping round the scenery at the action. There is a compelling magnetism drawing you down these dark passages, without ever knowing precisely what you will find, since the water level rises and falls by seven metres every day – you may equally discover waves lapping at the foot of the stairs or you may descend onto an expansive beach.

These were once Watermen’s Stairs, where passengers might get picked up or dropped off, seeking transport across or along the Thames. Just as taxi drivers of contemporary London learn the Knowledge, Watermen once knew the all the names and order of the hundreds of stairs that lined the banks of the Thames, of which only a handful survive today.

Arriving in Wapping by crossing the bridge in Old Gravel Lane, a short detour to the east would take me to Shadwell Stairs but instead I go straight to the Prospect of Whitby where a narrow passage to the right leads to Pelican Stairs. Centuries ago, the Prospect was known as the Pelican, giving its name to the stairs which have retained their name irrespective of the changing identity of the pub. These worn stone steps connect to a slippery wooden stair leading to wide beach at low tide where you may enjoy impressive views towards the Isle of Dogs.

West of here is New Crane Stairs and then, at the side of Wapping Station, another passage leads you to Wapping Dock Stairs. Further down the High St, opposite the entrance to Brewhouse Lane, is a passageway leading to a fiercely-guarded pier, known as King Henry’s Stairs – though John Roque’s map of 1746 labels this as the notorious Execution Dock Stairs. Continue west and round the side of the river police station, you discover Wapping Police Stairs in a strategic state of disrepair and beyond, in the park, is Wapping New Stairs.

It is a curious pilgrimage, but when you visit each of these stairs you are visiting another time – when these were the main entry and exit points into Wapping. The highlight is undoubtedly Wapping Old Stairs with its magnificently weathered stone staircase abutting the Town of Ramsgate and offering magnificent views to Tower Bridge from the beach. If you are walking further towards the Tower, Aldermans’ Stairs is worth venturing at low tide when a fragment of ancient stone causeway is revealed, permitting passengers to embark and disembark from vessels without wading through Thames mud.