Duncan McGuyver

but the next time ye insult me like ye did, t'will be swords and not just water...

Yes, but I got the rise out of you I wanted !

While we were at an event this past weekend we were asked to examine a cannon owned by one of the event sponsors. He was interested in firing it and getting training on how to shoot properly and safely.After the event was over he brought the piece out to the gun line so we could do a safety inspection of the gun.

The cannon (Sorry, No Pics) was a small signal gun, carriage mounted, iron tube with about a 1.7" bore and about 20" in length. Swivel gun style tube with a cascabel at the breech end. Carriage was nicely produced, and on initial appearance the tube looked to be in good condition. It had never been fired.

Once we started to examine the tube though we started to have concerns. The first issue found was that whoever produced the tube used a seamed pipe for the liner, not the best choice - but still possibly usable for lighter loads. Then we looked at the breech plug. We did not have a scope with us, but we were able to shine enough light down the tube to see the breech plug. We immediately noticed a dark ring all around the plug where it met the sleeve. After a bit of head scratching we fashioned a "feeler" out of a bit of metal rod. After flattening the end of the feeler rod we found that we could slip the end of the feeler rod at least 1/4" PAST the end of the breech plug - ALL THE WAY AROUND.

Needless to say we did not shoot the piece. We explained to the owner the danger of the breach plug breaking loose and the risk of hot embers and other debris remaining in the cavity around the breech plug.

The current owner had received the gun from his father and had no idea who produced the tube. We never could figure out what the manufacturer did to screw up the breech plug.

To me it seemed that the plug itself was the same material as the tube - like there was not an actual plug in the pipe.

Just a reminder on why it is so important to inspect the guns on your line, particularly if you have never shot with them before.

Duncan

Is there a 7th Annual Fells Point Event planned ?

Yes, there will be a 2011 event planned, and it will be held on APRIL 16TH, with the ball Friday night the 15th.

More details will be available later in January.

Duncan

Some interesting boat pics from filming:

Black Pearl Article on the Cargo Law website

Nancy, TJ and I are heading out around 1PM - AHEAD OF THE TRAFFIC

Kinda makes me want more info.....

Cannons don't "just blow up" for no reason. In the pic, there is nothing left but the wheels. Makes me wonder about the load, construction of the piece, etc........

>>>>> Cascabel

Additional Story With a little more detail

Unfortunately I doubt we will ever hear the whole story, but from the single picture it looks like (insert assumption) the piece was grossly overloaded and / or had a serious flaw.

It appears that from the picture that a home made cannon failed, taking it's most of it's crew with it.

News Article

Updated my post

Best I can do off the top of my head:

The Vigilant Crew

Crew:

Duncan

Nancy

Jeff

Cheri

Judi

Susan

O'Cin

Paige

Nick

Tara

Viv

Joe

Smee

Mary

Nico

Jojo

Cannon:

Hullmark

Beast

Skeeter

Libby

Little Friernd

Pirates Of The Dark Rose

Crew:

BLOODTHIRSTY BARBARA

TOM CRUDBEARD

Viceroy

Doc

(Plus Others)

Cannon:

Cricket

Morter (Name Needed)

The Vicar

Bronze 1 (Name Needed)

Bronze 2 (name Needed)

CSF

Crew:

Constable

Gracie

Cannon:

One Eye Jack

Princess

Archangel

Sterling

Anna

Lilly

Matty

M.A.d'Dogge

Silkie

Blackbeards Crew

Crew:

T.J.

Cannon:

Briggs

Le Baby

Sons Of The Waves

Crew:

Carl Popadick

(Plus Others)

Cannon:

Swivel (Name Needed)

Devilmen Of Cape Fear

Crew:

Matt

Cannon:

3 Pound Carriage (Name Needed)

My top ten for the weekend:

1. Going thru 50+ Pounds of O.P.P. (Other Peoples Powder for those that weren't on the line)

2. The look on John Glass's face as we ran laps thru the Customs House stealing everything not nailed down.

3. Friday nights grand battery for the fireworks.

4. Captain Lauren and the crew of the Nyckel hanging out in camp playing Scuttle Hatch Saturday night.

5. Using the Vicroy's bronze 4 lb piece to "return fire" on the boat that shot at the explorer.

6. Saturday night around the table with Sterling and M.A.d'Dogge

7. Setting off the same car alarm 15+ times from cannon fire.

8. Lily's joy at getting soooo much cannon time on Sunday.

9. The look on Paige McGuyver's face after getting the pitcher of green beer dumped on her in the Marker 20 skit.

10. Twice shooting Vicroy's bronze 4 lb piece with the "little something extra" charges.

We'll have some oarsman for you Dutch

I haven't been on the Pub very much for the last couple of years so my little nook became very dusty and out of date.

I've swept the old out of date stuff overboard board and will be posting new info as needed.

That would of been fun to have at the Deltaville event - you bringing it to Hampton?

Robbie was a blast at Pohick last year but ...who shall make him "walk the plank" this year? LOL

Yes, the Parks director reminded me of Robbie's stunt last year - and that they didn't want to see Robbie on the board again this year.

Other than that stunt they love us

So who is going to get the Swelterville shirts printed?

We got home safe and sound - Thanks again Dutch for all of the work that you put into the event.

and "the Pool"

Note to self 1

Skip the walk - take the ride !

Note to self 2

Tuck the knees when throwing Sterling in the pool

What about the sea battle, if there is one ?

Yes, there will be a sea battle @ 5PM involving the Pride Of Baltimore, Bounty and Schooner Farewell.

The Pride is the only vessel taking passengers for the battle http://www.pride2.org/come_aboard/day_sails.php

Who, exactly, are considered "entertainment crews" ?

These are groups hired by Fells Point Main Street (event host) to do performances on Broadway Pier.

Will there be black powder demonstrations, and who will be allowed to fire ?

As stated earlier there is a full living history camp on the Bond Street Wharf. The camp will have numerous demonstrations, including small arms and a cannon line. The demonstrations will be done by the members of the encampment. We will not be able to accommodate guests / visitors on the line.

Do the rules apply to both swords and guns, or just guns ?

Both

What about walking to and from the LH camp, or other "approved" areas ?

How would "approved" weapons carrying people be identified ?

If NOT going into the bars, are weapons OK to wear while walking around ?

Members of the encampment are authorized their weapons during the DAYTIME activities - no one from the encampment will be carrying during the ball or pub crawl.

If you are not working this event then you are a visitor, and asked to abide by the event rules. If you bring and carry a weapon anyway it is at your own risk.

Please note:

I only manage the LH aspect of the event, not the entire event. Also at this point we do not have capacity to bring any additional groups / individuals into the encampment. If anyone is interested in participating next year they are welcome to contact me by email.

Sorry for not making it over here sooner, I haven't had the time to keep current on the pub in awhile. Let me try to answer the festival questions as best I can:

Vendors:

I have been working for the last two event years to try and bring period vendors in, and the problem comes down to having a place to put them. Of the 3 grass plots within the event site there is a unused plot adjacent to the one the LH camp uses. The issue is that it is privately owned and we could not get permission to use it. The event management does support bringing in period vendor and was willing to do a modified vendor fee for the period vendors, but without a place to put them it's a moot point. We will try to get permission to use the land again next year, and if successful we will bring in a "selected" number of vendors.

Expanding to a 2 Day Event

This is discussed and evaluated at the end of each event and when we begin planning for each new event. All of the key people involved with the event would like to see the event grow into a 2 day event, but that required a greater level of sponsorship and support. This is NOT a city sponsored event, and it is totally reliant on corporate sponsors and volunteers. With the current state of the economy we are lucky to get the sponsorship we have.

LH Camp / Space

Refer to: Google Maps View

While our grass covered pier gives us a unique location to pitch our LH camp, we are limited in our space. With 5 crews and over 50 participants setting up in that space we will not have any spare space.

Weapons

Friday Night Ball at Frederick Douglas Center: NO WEAPONS

Sat Night Pub Crawl: NO WEAPONS >>DO NOT GOING DRINKING AT BARS WITH WEAPONS<<

The Leviathan Banquet is a separate event and under different rules - please refer to Pirate Magazine

Privateer Day: Has a strict no-weapons policy. The only exceptions to that are the entertainment crews when they are on stage, and the LH camp participants.

I KNOW THIS IS A SORE POINT WITH REENACTORS WHO ATTEND, BUT THESE ARE THE RULES.

Before griping about the policy please consider:

This event is held downtown in a major urban city, this is not Hampton, Charleston or Key West. The Baltimore cops do not like seeing a bunch of people walking around carrying pistols, knives and swords.

Neither the police or event management have any way of knowing if you are responsible reenactor who knows how to properly handle their weapons or some whack job who dressed up with weapons and may hurt someone out of stupidity.

If you have any other questions plaese pot them here and I will try and answer them as best I can.

Lloyd Robbins

Fells Point Privateer Day LH Coordinator and Safety Officer

aka

Pictures are up, including the ones you sent me Jack

Pohick bay Pirate Day 2009

We didn't get any of the camp - I am hoping some will be on the CD from the Parks people.

Duncan

The Erie Maritime Museum also has a fantastic ACCURATE depiction of the damage shot does to a ship. They developed an authentic replica of the U.S. Brig Lawrence’s hull, and then using two of Niagara’s carronades, they fired fifty-three rounds of 12, 24 and 32 pound cannon balls as well as grape and canister shot.

You can read more about it here: Erei Maritime Museum

And pics of the museum and of the displayed shot hull: Photos

Falling backwards into lake/river water then falling forward into the beach then jumping into a swimming pool seemed to work to both make the garb look worn, dirty and clean all at the same time. lol

Snicker

Oh that would be awesome!! Can't wait to see.

I will post the pics I have later today, and update with the ones from the park when I get them. I love this shot you took of Beast going off:

The Parks Authority is supposed to be sending me a cd with all of the pics they took. I am hoping there is one of Robbie hanging upside down by his feet from the diving board.

Oi McGuyver, ye best share them pictures better than ye shared that treasure!

I will, and remind me to check the depth of the pool the next time I throw us in !!! My left knee still hurts !

My favorite part of the event was when we were waiting for the truck and a young lady, about 6 or 8, came up to me and said "excuse me, I just wanted to thank you for making this the best Saturday of my life." I really wish I had a coin for her and her brother! I need to invest in some gold coin for the kids.

Thats great to hear - the parks authority really enjoys the event and definitely want us back again next year.

The Parks Authority is supposed to be sending me a cd with all of the pics they took. I am hoping there is one of Robbie hanging upside down by his feet from the diving board.

Of coarse - we'll need to stay ahead of any foul weather that may pop up !

... ye can find me on the Explorer, fishing with Dutchie... and do look smartly there, I need to pay for the fishing gear....

Dutchie offered me a spot on the fishing trip too . . . I always wanted to try fishing with "Grenados"