Dorian Lasseter

Didi a quick poke about online... didn't come up with anything, Snopes.com as well... If there is any truth to this, I agree dangerous as hell... The moral standards of today are based on what history has taught us. History is both positive and negative, can't have one without the other. The hard part is having people learn it from a third person perspective... detached in such a way as to not learn that X people did this injustice to Y people and hold a grudge or even hate the X people today for something that was done in the past. "Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it." George Santayana "What we do about history matters. The often repeated saying that those who forget the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them has a lot of truth in it. But what are 'the lessons of history'? The very attempt at definition furnishes ground for new conflicts. History is not a recipe book; past events are never replicated in the present in quite the same way. Historical events are infinitely variable and their interpretations are a constantly shifting process. There are no certainties to be found in the past." Gerda Lerner "We can learn from history how past generations thought and acted, how they responded to the demands of their time and how they solved their problems. We can learn by analogy, not by example, for our circumstances will always be different than theirs were. The main thing history can teach us is that human actions have consequences and that certain choices, once made, cannot be undone. They foreclose the possibility of making other choices and thus they determine future events." Gerda Lerner

Captain Lasseter smiled and looked to his Steward. “You read well?” She smiled and nodded at his question and his smile grew some as he took a couple steps to his sea chest, opened it and removed three smallish tomes. He looked at their spines and selected one, putting the others back. He shut his chest and turned to her, offering the book. “Chaucer… His tales of Canterbury… Yours to read in idle times if you wish, but I warn you… he can be quite… bawdy on occasion… “ As she contemplated what he said, the ship’s bell rung out, noting the end of the first and beginning of the second dog watch. Officers called out orders and men traded idleness for duties, and others the opposite. Second Dogwatch begins Starboard Watches now on duty

Been following this thread for awhile... Just some observations... I come at this from a reenactor's viewpoint, so take it as yo will... Is your kit a costume or normal clothes? Meaning is this something you 'get into' to entertain others and yourself or is what you 'put on' to be a person of the age? If you have a costume and add a new piece to replace a piece that was lost/broken/worn out and have to age it to fit in... I'll go with that. But, if your reenacting you have no need to artificially age anything. Back 'in the day' as it happens now, things wear out and are replaced to get worn out in time. Even if portraying an 'old salt', that old salt still gets new clothing every so often. There are occasions when a crew was on a long journey they wore their clothes til they literally disintegrated, getting a new wardrobe in the next port if possible. And when shipboard, you don't have the time to worry about getting dirty or fitting in with the seasoned crew, the dirt and all will happen soon enough! As to smell, body odor, etc. We are so screwed up these days in our modern world. Tarting ourselves up with cologne and perfume to a point where anyone with any breathing disorder has a hard time breathing around others is ridiculous. Within the GAOP there was plenty of that used to cover up 'mal-air', however it would be your upper class who could afford it. The cheaper way for a woman to have a pleasant scent around her was with a cloven fruit - a lemon, orange, etc, with cloves dotting the skin. I can't say for sure, but probably your foppish men had the same. Us working stiffs, well, you smelled how you smelled... I'm not saying to do it right, don't bathe for a week, but lay off on the heavy scents. Use a non deodorant soap, find a deodorant that's of a 'period' scent. (Can't think of anything except for sandalwood at the moment) You could go exotic and find a heavier scent like Amber or a musk from the far east... as you just 'did some business' with a merchant from India (wink-wink) Take it as you will...

GreyDog, yer too damned funny! Alright.... If I'd a gone huntin' fer that boar, I'd have been prepared I'd think. I had some spears and a musket, and an axe... and a rapier... not that the rapier would have done much good on such a beast. As you have it, I'd either take two wounds or I loose my dog and take one wound, which means I have bacon and dog for a meal.... (Dog is a fine meal ya know... ) As for wounds... lots of time seems ta pass between things... wouldn't all these wounds heal in that time? So, there be a dozen Dutchies on my beach, eh? I'll be wary an' watch them for a time... if they seem friendly enough and not acting suspiciously, (I assume they're after fresh water?) When they're look like they're ready to leave and haven't discovered me, I'll make myself known to them, no-threatteningly. (How could one person be a threat to twelve o' them?) Why wait til they're done? Well, I'd think they'd be tired out from whatever work they just finished, so mot so 'jumpy'...

I'm with Patrick on this one, as I have a musket or pistol.... Bang! mmmmmmm Bacon! Or; As I have an axe, I'd make up some crude spears to spear the beast... come to think of it... Make a spear, attach musket or pistol to it... Spear the beast, shoot the beast with attached firelock...

Belowdecks in the berth space Harold Press sat with his back against one of the starboard ribs of the ship. He chewed on a sliver of wood that he had removed from a piece he was whittling on. He’d seen what mayhem had been created by Mister Hudless, and could have told the officers the meat of it. But that was not his place to do so. The men involved would sort it out one way or another without involving the hierarchy of the ship’s command. This was the way of it since man took to the seas, on a ship of any nations military down to the lowly fishing boat or merchant. Harold shifted the sliver to his other cheek and thumbed the edge of his folding knife before working the blade into the wood in his other hand, removing material to create a form within. Three Bells of the First Dog Watch Larboard Watch on Duty

This one is way out of period, but really cool... http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/...-c/congr-sb.htm And this is just for fun... http://salamonie.homestead.com/Seabag.html

Captain Lasseter laid the open ledger on the table and slowly sat in his chair. He read the fine hand of Adam again, and was appreciative of not only the passage writ but also the handwriting. The man possessed an excellent skill, one any clark would be envious of. He slowly picked up his pipe and contemplated it a moment before speaking. “What heaven more will, That thee may furnish and my prayers pluck down, Fall on thy head! Farewell, my lord; 'Tis an unseason'd courtier; good my lord, Advise him… Well put Countess…” Dorian stood and looked at Miss Ashcombe. “Th’ trials n’ tribulations of life at sea… especially when you have such a mix o’ crew as we do in this ship… when duty calls, most ev’ry man-jack does wot’s expected… but idle times, idle times allows fer differences an’ cause one ta have need ta do something… anything ta occupy the idle time… “ He turned and walked to the stern windows, stared out at the Lucy’s wake and those who followed it and spoke to the air. “Do some good deeds so that the devil, who is our enemy, will not find you unoccupied. For the devil does not take easily into his work those whom he finds occupied in good… Take that as you will…”

Tough call all the way around... I'm in plenty good shape without any trading... Unless they'll take parrot feathers for something... (it was tasty ) and if they do take parrot feathers in trade... I'll take the hooks I think...

Once Dorian had packed the tobacco to his liking, he set the pipe aside to wait for the Ship’s Master to enter with whichever crewman he had in tow. They had a very short wait, as moments later a single knock came on the outer door, followed by it opening and Master Preston entering with the man named simply ‘Adam’ in his wake. Dorian did no more than cross his hands behind his back and looked at the men. Adam closed the door behind them as Preston began to speak. He told the Captain of all he had been informed and seen below. Dorian took all this in and when he had finished looked to Adam who stood there listening and at odds with what Preston said. “Aye Preston… very well… Now let us hear… that is let us find out the truth of the matter… Adam, if you please…” The Captain motioned to the wardroom table, where he had left open the ship’s log, and other parchment and pen and ink lay. Adam understood what the Captain asked and stepped over to the table, hesitantly took up the Captain’s own pen and inked it, taking another moment to think and smooth out a blank sheet of parchment and began writing.

Wardroom of the Lucy Dorian had returned to the wardroom to look at the charts and mull over those questions he had no answers to. He even went as far as to write them in the margin of the daily log. Why this bothered him so much he did not know, but he would not let these thoughts overwhelm him. Captain Lasseter was about to head back on deck when there were sounds of discord forward and belowdecks. He almost rushed forward and into the crew’s berth, but checked himself as he heard his officers on the quarterdeck making their way down. As Quartermaster on the Watch Dog, he had been the officer to get to the bottom of issues with the crew. Now as captain, he would learn to wait and have the issue brought to him. He walked back into the wardroom and looked around, deciding what to do while he waited for what he hoped would be a short time. “Pipe…” He said to no one but himself and found his pipe where had last had it and searched out the tobacco he had purchased on Martinique. Once found, he began filling the bowl with the aromatic herb. As he did so, the door from below into the wardroom opened and he slowly turned to see Miss Ashcombe enter with a distressed look about her. His brow creased a moment. “Miss Ashcombe… what is amiss?”

Two helpings if you don't mind... and what to drink... Guinness?

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 25 in 2009). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war), it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action. I salute You!

Sea Chest refurb... Due to the 'fine scottish weather', I had to put up a 'tent'... But good progress has been made... Several layers of horridly slapped on paint has been removed, fresh paint applied... Brass and other fittings removed and cleaned. So far, so good...

Keep the Dog... Eat the other two...

Seems I'm finding steampunk type stuff everywhere... Here's an awesome computer robot controller with a copper heat sink and lighted fan. I love it when the guts of stuff are exposed...

A couple things to think about; Dyes were not colourfast as most are today. several of my shirts and such have colour transfer from other garments and items. I have red stains on the shoulders from a shoulderbag with a red strap, leather stains from belts and other straps. Plus gun oil and powder stains as well as grass stains. Also, I try not to wash my kit. If I do, say I really bodge it up, I use the gentle cycle, or there are some machines that have a 'hand wash' cycle... or even actually hand wash it, and Never put it in the dryer. As for being dirty/grungy myself... out of necessity I'll keep my hands pretty clean... but tar stains or some such can stick in your skin and won't come out unless you really scrub.

I do believe the 'rail gunn' Dutch is lookin' for would be this kind... Or some such similar... Cool site.... http://www.johnsmilitaryhistory.com/gunboat.html

Alright...My worst case list is what I'll use... 1 Boarding axe 2 Musket or pistol with powder and shot 3 as much fresh water as can be had So I have a nice shelter, a fire and water. In the cave, I'll grab the Rapier... Reason; What will I do with a silver candlestick? And the bag, aye, interesting thing, but I can make a bag or some such with debris from the ship... there would be tattered sails, or I could use my jacket or shirt as a carrying device. The rapier is a weapon or a cooking spit, or a valuable device to trade for something else, if there was someone to trade something with... or hey, kill 'em with it and take wot I wants!

Best case; 1 My sea chest, full of all my stuff 2 Ships longboat 3 as much fresh water as can be had Worst case; 1 Boarding axe 2 Musket or pistol with powder and shot 3 as much fresh water as can be had And for fun; What Captain Red and the Frog had at the end of Pirates...

Well now... Instead of reprimanding Mister Blackthorne, I'll tell a story... Back in the early 90s when I was very active in the SCA I was a 'champion' fencer. Several of my friends and I did a lot, and I mean a lot of fencing together. At a particular event known as 'War Practice' (I think it was #3 or 4) we were all together and having a jolly good time getting drunk. Previous to this, my best friend and I had been discussing a scene from the 70's version of the Three Musketeers; the night duel between D'Artagnan and Rochefort. At a certain point in our inebriation that night, we decided we HAD to do it, we HAD to recreate that duel. Luckily (or unluckily) our other friends came along to keep us 'safe', as they could not talk us out of it. So, rum in one hand, fencing swords in the other, we headed to the fighting field. Our friends tagged along with other equipment and made us don armour and masks. Yeah, we had a rollicking good time... Not more than a bruise or two between us. WE WERE TOTAL IDIOTS!!! Later, when we were sober, we realized our STUPIDITY, because we could have KILLED each other, HURT our FRIENDS, and ruined an event for EVERYONE ELSE. The next Pennsic War and forever after a new rule was added to the book 'No fighting of any kind, anywhere at night. If caught doing so you will be thrown off site.' We got off easy... I have never picked up a sword (or handled firearms, or been on a gun crew, etc) of any kind with the intention of 'using it' if I've had Anything to drink since then... I've stopped others from doing the same and will continue to do so... First rule: Think of how your actions will affect the world around you... Second rule: See Rule #1

Dunno if this would be better in the Thieves Market... But here's a fine place that has all kinds of hardware for a sea chest and more... http://www.horton-brasses.com/ Locks, hasps, hinges... http://www.horton-brasses.com/store/hinges...ron/snipehinges Someone else posted there before I believe... I may use these on another project...

The Lucy The Captain was silent for a moment more before speaking again in a low tone. “Afore we left on this sail, I had told m’self wot lay in th’ Navarra were none o’ my business… William had made all th’ arrangements an’ that were good enough fer me… I’m privy ta all that was done, and nothin’ were outta sorts wi’ it… As fer them seekin th’ two ships as armed consorts fer th’ voyage ta Trinidad, their own escort was blasted near ta wee bits, makes ye uneasy, so… good enough reason as any…” He was silent for a time, as if that would explain it all. As the turn of the watch came, from the Afternoon to the First Dog Watch, and the crew traded positions and information, Dorian hammered his fist on the rail once. “Damn… Damn it all ta hell… Just gotta let it go til sommat else says not to…” He turned and watched as the deck was turned over to the fresh men. “Mister Brisbane, Mister Goddon, have th’ marines take turns every turn o’ th’ glass as a rear lookout. Give ‘em a glass ta keep an eye on th’ Navarra for anything… unusual…” Both men saluted and Nigel headed to the waist to make arrangements with the Master-at-Arms. “I’ll not be caught off guard…” Captain Lasseter stepped from the Holy Ground and into the waist, turned back to Preston and Charlie. “Have Smyth keep a sharp an eye as ever as well to what may be ahead…” They nodded and he nodded in return, looked to find Master Johnson near and nodded to him likewise. First Dog Watch begins Larboard Watch on Duty

The Lucy Maurice asked the Spaniards in their native tongue what Captain Lasseter wanted to know. The man the Ship’s Master had brought forth looked to his companion and the other shrugged slightly. The first man turned to Dorian and began speaking rapidly, almost too fast for both Charlie and Maurice to catch all he said. Twice the other man interjected a comment and on the second occasion the main storyteller elbowed him. The story was told in one continuous stream of words until he finally ran out. Maurice began the tale as best he could. “Capitaine… He say that there is unrest among the crew of Navarra, too much politics and… what is the word…. Ah…. relationships to close?” Dorian looked at the two men a moment. “And where was this information garnered?” Maurice asked them and the quieter of the two answered. Charlie laughed a cynical chortle. “Oh jesus, wot’s heard r’ half heard between crew durin’ a gam… ain’t worth shite…” Dorian only shook his head slowly as he continued to look into the men. Suddenly the quieter one burst out. “Oro! Oro de España que es pasada de contrabando lejos!” Dorian knew the word ‘Oro’…. Gold… Maurice now wore a look of disdain. “He say Spanish gold is being smuggled from Spain.” Again Dorian stared into the men for long enough that the began to sweat from more than just the heat. The first man to speak was about to do so again when Dorian quickly shook his head. “Take ‘em back b’low… nonsense… paltry scuttlebutt if I ever heard… Mister Whittin’ferd, with me…” As Charlie and Maurice took the men below, Dorian headed back to the quarterdeck and Preston followed. There he stood and looked across the water at the Navarra. When he knew Preston was at his side he spoke. “No… petty talk amongst a crew… they know not a thing, but something is not right aboard that ship…”

Captain Lasseter stood as if he were part of the deck, the only things that moved were his eyes as he looked not so much at as into the two Spanish sailors brought before him. The corner of his mouth twitched once and the muscles in his jaw tightened and relaxed. The Holy Ground was getting crowded and this was not to Dorian’s liking. “I’ll here wot they have ta say in th’ waist, if you please…” Nods were made and Preston corralled The two men formally of La Vedette into the waist with Mister Marsh’s help. Maurice was just about to join the assembled on the quarter when this change of location was made and nearly fell backwards to get out of the way. The two Spanish were set on the main gratings with Charlie on one side, Preston the other, and Maurice behind. Captain Lasseter slowly and deliberately descended the stair and into the waist. Again he looked into the men who appeared bewildered. He did not look up but spoke in such a calm and even tone it was almost disturbing. “Monsieur Roche… ask them what they know… what is amiss on the Navarra… I want answers… now…”