King's Pyrate

I am converting an old boat into a pirate ship to transport and display my pirate hats. You can see my progress in my gallery.

Project Red Witch

If you or your Pirate Group are coming to St. Augustine We have Group Rates and discounts for the Historic Ramada Inn and Pirate Cruises on the Pirate Ship Black Raven.

Maiden cruise is Tuesday May 5th...schedule slipped due to scheduling the last USCG Inspection

Ticket information here Black Raven Adventures

I really wish Bloody Sam and I could have been there to see her sail into port. I know that had to be a beautiful site. sam and I will be down there sometime this summer. Maybe in August. We plan on booking a sail. And of course, we plan on going in our garb.

Let me know when you are planning to go aboard and if it is sometime between Friday and Sunday perhaps Barbary Bett and I will go with you......she is still swooning over the ship...lol

I really like the vintage look of yours, Lady B. I think I might try and cook up something for myself, using an a photo of me in garb. Maybe we can start a whole trend of exchanging cards at events. Wouldn't that be kewl!

I started using mine at books signings for folks to go see my web site and buy books if they like....but the group cards are handed out to event coordinators and fans collect them.....seems to work out great.

Joe

Again, I want to see yo'r trading cards. :)

~Lady B

I have been working up some trading cards for our Ancient City Privateers members to hand out......here are a couple.

They take some time to do but I enjoy it and the members are very happy with their cards.

Joe

Looks good Joe, sorry I couldn't make it to the docking.

She was a beautiful site as she pulled into the City Marina.....They left Tarpon Springs on Friday but had some small problem and spent the night in Clearwater Beach....on Saturday they continued the voyage, sailed around Key West but ran into high seas and rough wind in the Gulf Stream...They pulled into Miami and anchored for the night then decided to sail up the ditch (ICW) the rest of the way....she is realyl designed for inland water cruises so will work nicely on Matanzas Bay and Tolomato River....the plan is for 1 to 2 hour cruises up the river with entertainment then a stop up river at one of the local eateries for a while and then return to the City Marina......I am scheduled to do a book signing for the Pirate Tales book on some of the early trips and have been asked to pen another book for youngsters......looks like I will have a busy summer.

BTW I dropped by Tiger Lee's shop yesterday and bought a fine period coat for less than the wife could make it.....he has some great prices.....

Let me know when you are back in St. Augustine.

The Black Raven has arrived at her new home port of St. Augustine, Florida. She comes equipped with a lounge, gift shop and has pirate actors doing on board shows, games for children and adult activities. The lounge bulkheads are decorated with storyboards with tales of real pirates who attacked St. Augustine. She may be a modern tour vessel but she will give you the feel of stepping back in history as she fires her cannon at Castillo de San Marcos and attacking vessels.

Read more about the Black Raven and how you can sail on this wonderful ship.

Black Raven Adventures

See more photos of her arrival in my Black Raven Gallery

Joe

I may miss taking a cruise since I'll be sailing south before the end of May but I would like to come by for a visit and take a look at her if that is permissible.

I have not validated this yet but, was told yesterday that the cruises may begin on 25th of April......I'll keep an ear out and let you know...when you get here call me.....I'll send you the number in an email...perhaps we can get together for a bit.

Joe

I may miss taking a cruise since I'll be sailing south before the end of May but I would like to come by for a visit and take a look at her if that is permissible.

Tis a public pier.....there may even be pirates aboard rehearsing or just getting her in ship shape when you come introduce yourself and tell them of your black heart.....I am sure you will be welcomed....the crew are fine pirates indeed.

Joe

Where you be moored at mate, I'll drop by.

The Black Raven leaves the ship yard on the West Coast of Florida on the 17th for her 5 day voyage to her home port of St. Augustine, Fl....she will be moored at the city yacht pier just south of the Bridge of Lions. She will outfit and have one more Coast Guard inspection before taking on passengers......should be ready to begin cruises at the end of May.

We wil be on the look out for ye.

Joe

My new non-fiction book of pirates that attacked St. Augustine, Florida is at the printers...that is the good news...the bad news is that it will only be sold aboard the Black Raven here in St. Augustine...so if you visit our fair city...take the tour and check out my book.

It is a small book with brief on St. Augustine Pirates, how pirates lived, other famous pirates and a nautical glossary.

Live Long and Plunder Well!

Joe

Black Raven Adventures

St. Augustine Pirate Tales from the Black Raven

I have just completed writing a book of small articles of historical pirate attacks on St. Augustine. It also has articles on Pirates life, Who They Were and How They Lived as well as Other Famous Pirates. The book was especially written for the pirate Ship Black Raven and will only be available on board her. If you visit St. Augustine and sail on the Black Raven's tour take a look at this unique little book.

Live Long and Plunder Well!

Joe

Black Raven Adventures

She Floats!!!!!!!

and passed her Coast Guard Inspection

Avast me hearty's!! Seems like two 'new' crew members for the ROYALISTE, says I!!.....The parrots LaFitte and Rose, our ship's parrots, have given birth to two wonderful baby Ecclectus parrots!!... At time of writing, they are 7 days and 10 days old, respectively, and doing fine at this stage. Ecclectus parrots are probably the only parrot species that a person can tell sex without a vet visit, as the males and females are colored differently. We'll know at around five weeks of age...So, good Lord willin' and the creeks don't rise, (we're hidin' out from the cold in Arizona), we'll have two gorgeous Ecclectus for sale in a few months..Or, four parrots aboards ship....ROYALISTE is still under ice and snow in Plattsburgh, NY...Summer looks like a trip around NY waters; canals, Great Lakes,etc..Fall possibly south to Virginia for the winter next year, if'n eye kin afford it.....

Congratulation on the new crew members!

Joe

I be buildin' a treasure chest. I'll post pics when it's done.

Fer a taste:

More to come later!

oooooo...that be nice......have any updated photos?

Would love to see them!

Joe

Perhaps so.

This line alone is worthy of mention...

"How I became of the works I was assigned me laden of burden from me master was that of a blacksmith."

Here are a couple of photos of her not shown on the site.

She is so much better looking than most of tourist pirate ships I have seen.

Will she bear a figurehead?

I never asked...will have to wait and see!

Why ye be on the wrong coast you old sea dog you!

No matter what coast, I be knowin that Tigerlee be first rate all around. All you lads and lasses that be on that thar other coast do drop by Tigerlee and ye won't be disappointed.

May ye find all the luck that ye be needin in yer new digs,

-Greydog

Why Tiger is on the right coast.......we have three major pirate events each year in St. Augustine ( driving distance to four or five others)and 18 total on the East. We have our own pirate ship and several weekend events. Where else, on the mainland, is more fitting for pirates than Old Town St. Augustine? The tourist love to play with us.

Damn! I'm pumped up now...lol.....going down to the old town meet some of the 17th century pirates tomorrow.

I look forward to the pictures of her in the water. It's always good to see another boat in the business, but they need to hire an editor and press agent to rewrite the materials on their webpage.

Perhaps so.

Here are a couple of photos of her not shown on the site.

Ready to Launch

She is so much better looking than most of tourist pirate ships I have seen.

The Black Raven will launch today...then they will install her mast and do the sea trials. As she nears St. Augustine she will stop at Daytona Beach where our pirate group ( Ancient City Privateers ) and friends will board on the morning of March 28th for the remaining trip to St. Augustine. We will enter Matanzas Bay a little after 1 p. m....just as the Castillio de San Marcos will be firing her afternoon salute....we rowdy pirates will jeer at the old city as the Black Raven returns fire. We will then land and raid the city. It will be quite a site as she enters her new home port.

I'm cleaning my garb and sharpening my cutlery!

Joe

thank you for helping from the bottom of my left.. bodice. I was diagnosed with breast cancer last May and so far its gone, after the surgery and radiation.

and for those of you following how mucch it costs, last estimate is $90,000 before insurance.. enough to make anyone cry.

look at my signiture for my sites- pirates think pink..

and thank you.

We do it because it needs doing......many of us have been touched by cancer.

Mine was a father, others,children, family and friends......together we can win this fight against cancer.

Joe

Excellent...I will clean me pistol...

I have a question about the duck race. Even though we are volunteering there, will be be able to buy a couple ducks for the race? I want to get 4 if I can. 1 in memory of my late father in law and 1 in memory of a dear friends life that lost her battle in January. 1 in honor of my son that beat it as a child and 1 in honor of my brother in law that is fighting cancer now.

Yes.....ducks will be on sale the day of the race or I can reserve them for you anytime....Hope your duck wins....

So, do you guys have your volleyball team all ready to play? Is it going to be against the code to spike the ball with a sword?

No swords...but I think you can shoot the ball though.....lol

It would be most excellent to have her sitting in the water right off from where we hold the 2nd Annual Pirate Gathering this year. BTW...any news on the dates for that?

Pirate Gathering will be about the same time frame as last years.....it will be in a place more accessible to the public this year...better for us and better for our vendors.

The Black Raven has received her final paint ( the unseasonal cold we had this winter slowed the painting) and has moved to the ways for launching....she is getting the final stuffing then will do her sea trials.......should arrive in St. Augustine in Mid March.

You will be able to see her when you come for the Duck Race in April....

They can hike them up, too!

I'm all for that.....lol