Dorian Lasseter

Quarterdeck of the Lucy The Lucy’s speed dropped off and soon the Navarra and Watch Dog were closing on his quick little cutter. Dorian had taken up the glass and was watching the happenings on each ship. The closer they got, the more detail became apparent. He watched and comment to those others on the quarter what was seen. “Th’ Dog’s comin’ up on the Navarra quick now… Deck ain’t cleared fer action, but the crew’s lookin’ fit fer a boardin’, that’s good… Dog’s ‘longside th’ Navarra, I see Cap’n Brand, not sure who’s returnin’ his hail… Lets see wot happens here…” Dorian took the glass from his eye and took in the scene unaided by it, watching to see everything at once. He let out a ‘harumph’ when the light frigate disengaged and settle back to the rear. Dorian took up the glass again and began muttering to himself. “Not much conversation there… too short… but Will seems at be satisfied… Damnu ort…” He stepped from the rail and shut the spyglass sharply. Turning he back on the Navarra he looked at his waiting crew. “Stand down Lads!!! Take yer ease, but not too much of it! Tucker, keep us close ta th’ Navarra, no more than a league ahead…” “Aye Sah!” As his orders were carried out, Captain Lasseter turned back to the Spanish ship and narrowed his eyes. His arms crossed behind him, both hands grasping the spyglass. There he would wait for his officers to ask him his mind, if they dared.

And now to stir things up a bit.... http://www.mariner.org/exhibitions/artifac...ct_seachest.php This sea chest was acquired in Muscat, Oman and is typical of the style of sea chest carried by the Portuguese in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. The Portuguese conquered Oman in 1507 to protect their trade routes to India . They controlled the coastline and maintained a powerful presence in the Gulf of Oman until the imam Sultan bin Saif recaptured the area in 1650. OOP but so cool... And, no beckets.... but handles... And next we have; http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1047569817039209602WUrSjU The Ark of the Covenant of Sea Chests...

The Lucy After Preston had left the wardroom, Captain Lasseter walked to the stern windows and put an arm up, bracing himself on an overhead deck beam as he stared out into the ocean. His fellow officer had brought up semi buried memories of a lifetime ago, a life that he had no way of getting back. He pondered this for a moment longer and turned back to his Steward who had begun to clear the table. He almost felt a need to explain himself a bit further to her, as she really knew very little about him or anyone else on this ship. It seemed that faith and providence was something in abundance in these waters. His smile came back easily as he watched her at her duties, which she had taken to well enough. Above the wardroom he heard the order to adjust course given and this brought him back to his present duties. The tiller creaked slightly as it was pushed over a couple degrees to larboard, and soon after returned amidships. As the Lucy took on her new course, a sound was heard by Dorian and many above. It could have been mistaken as the sound of canvas snapping, but it was too distant for it to be that. Feet shuffled on the Holly Ground above and a stillness occurred. Even Miss Ashcombe noticed the demeanor of the Captain change slightly and remained quietly observant. A second report was heard, this time more distinctly and it was confirmed in Dorian’s mind as a musket shot. With a curse under his breath he took up his coat and hat and exited into the waist and was momentarily on the Quarterdeck. Preston had the glass to his eye, pointed aft over the rail at their small convoy. “Report Mister Pew… Where away did the shots come?” “Not fer certain, Sah. Coulda been th’ Dog or th’ Spanish, can’t say.” Dorian narrowed his eyes as he looked at the other ships in their wake. “Other vessels o’ note around us?” “Nay Sah.” “Sommat’s amiss… Mister Tucker, take in some canvas, slow us down some…” “Aye Captain.” Lasseter turned and scanned the deck, picking out the Sergeant-at-Arms and the Gunners Mate. “Brocke Get Mister Flint on deck and assemble th’ marines, Mister Aretineson, You get Johnson and ready th’ guns – quietly if you please…” Both men knuckled their brows and were off. Turning aft again he was met with a curious look from Logan and even Mister Wittingford. Dorian stepped two paces to the stern and placed a hand on his pistol. “Sommat’s amiss… dunno wot, but I don’t wish ta seem too obvious that we might be in th’ know… Preston… find out if Mister Marsh or Roche found our guests taking of anything… out of place…” “Aye Sah”

Safety, Safety, Safety... I believe the regulations for carrying powder in priming horns during a battle scenario are; "Priming horns may contain no more than One (1) ounce of fffg or ffffg powder." This is from the Regulations of Old Fort Niagara, F&I period. So New York regs. Thus I made up an small horn; I believe if I loaded it up full it would hold about two and a half, maybe three ounces of powder...

Indeed it would my good man... I shall not get in the way of anyone serving such fare to the cold and wet souls gathered.

Preston’s question near struck the captain dumb. The smile on his face faded, and he became thoughtful. He went to speak twice, but refrained, rethinking his words. Dorian cleared his throat, took up his glass and drank half of it down before finally finding his voice. “Family… aye… no, I can’t say I have… not that I have much left… and not that I could…” He got quiet and rubbed his chin, looked out the stern windows a moment before turning back to those in the wardroom. “No… I’ve sent wot I can back home… Can on’y hope wot was sent made it through… Faith n’ providence…” He gave a quirky smile and drained the rest of his glass, set it on the table again and stood. He felt he was keeping some truth from Those in his confidence, but it could not be helped, nor did it matter so much. Mayhaps in the evening he might breech the subject again and talk of the past. Not now though… the sun was too bright to speak of the past.

Aye Callenish, Agreed on all points made!

“Aye Preston… good ta be back at sea… Don’t think I coulda stomached another hour on ‘at island.” The Captain rubbed his face, becoming almost weary just at the thought of the happenings on Martinique. He chuckled and cast those thoughts away, like so much pipe-smoke on the wind. Looking at his second in command and Steward, Dorian smiled and sat back from the table. “Tis a fine day ta be sailin’ th’ Carib… Long as th’ breeze stays up an’ those we would call our enemies find on’y our wake, I call this life a fortunate one. Ain’t nothin’ better’n a stout ship under ya an’ full sails flyin’…” Dorian drained his glass and placed it on the table, feeling all the more wealthy for the ship and crew under his command.

Aye... always room fer another one... Slainte Mate!

Agreed... Only the officers were allowed to waste fresh water to shave while at sea. I have read accounts - post GAOP - about Captain's shaving while out. The common sailor would either shave once in port aboard, or once on shore, and usually it would be accompanied by a haircut. There are some superstitions that accompany all that as well.... Edit; Callenish I've shaved with a straight razor for several years and rarely have cut/nicked myself... However, I've never shaved using seawater with my shave soap... not sure I want to see how that would affect the shave...

The Lucy The Lucy was sailing along swiftly in the fine wind on a near cloudless afternoon. Mister Christie was on the tiller as Mister Tucker stood before him at the break of the quarterdeck, looking off at the horizon in several different directions. Jerrod Styles found himself smiling in the crow’s nest now and again, happy to be out to sea. He’d had occasion to call to the deck of a sail on the horizon, but every one had stayed away or completely disappeared not long after being sighted. There were still several smaller boats near to them, but none of a size to cause issue. Fishing boats mostly, with no more than a crew of six aboard, all intent on making a living with their nets. Those men on deck tried to find shade while they waited to tend lines and sails, several conversed in an odd way, as up to three different languages were spoken and translated among them. The strangest was with those conversing with John Black and Adam. Moreso, Adam was talking ‘through’ John, since John was the only man aboard who could understand the gestures made by Adam the mute. All in all, things were calm and in good order. Mister Aretineson remained quiet as he wiped down the breech of gun number 6, named Revanche. He smiled an almost wicked smile as the gun shined brightly in the early afternoon sun.

Walks in out of the 'fine' weather we're having, (cold rain) walks to the fire and warms himself for a wee bit. "William... If ye'd be so kind as ta have a spot o' tea sent to my table, I'd be obliged... bloody grotty weather..." Dorian shakes out his coat and hangs it on his chair, takes off his hat and shakes some water from it before hanging it on a hook and sits down.

Aye!!! And a Happy Birthday to You Master Gage!!! And many more ta come! Slainte!!!!

Aye! Happiest o' Birthdays to ye Mate!!! Slainte!!!!

Aye, A lock is more of a deterrent... and how do you prove someone stole specie? "Oi! I had ten shillings in me chest an' someone stole 'em!" How do you prove that? Now a personal item is another matter, but even that can be difficult to prove given how personalized the item might be. So the mortised lock is more expensive, yet not as secure? Either that, or the locks of that type available today aren't as good/large as what was used on chests in the past? Most of the ones I've found are rather small in my opinion. I can even see the common sailor not being able to afford a lock, given their level of poverty at times. A simple hasp could be secured with a bit of line, just to keep it shut, or even a rough wedge of wood. There are hasps that have a hook already attached that swings into the loop to secure it. Now what would it be like on a pirate ship? Would any of the crew have the same security of a sea chest as they had aboard a navy or merchant ship? Next bit; inside the chest. We see most have a 'till box', which is essentially a small storage box with or without a lid on one side of the chest for small items so they do not get lost in the bottom of the chest. Edward mentioned he may add a lock for that as well. How common was that? I personally like the idea of a second lock on the till (again most likely on higher end chests) for extra security for your small valuables. Also, I've seen a couple examples of a till box with a drawer underneath, some of which are almost a secret compartment... Details, details, details... keep them coming!

Aye!!! Happiest o' Birthdays to ya Lass!!! And many, many more ta come!!! Slainte!!!

Interesting take on why have a lock on your sea chest... I guess you could argue the same on every chest on this page; http://www.mycountrytreasures.com/blanketc...umentboxes.html Why have a lock on a chest inside your home? it's already locked inside your dwelling, right? Lock = privacy... Just my humble opinion... Dutch, get some pictures of your stuff up!

Aww, come on... get just a little excited... Any other bits of knowledge? Here's another question; Locking the chest. I see most chests with mortised or half-mortised locks... those were expensive to a point and in some ways, easy to pry open. I see only a handful of hasp/padlock combos on chests, which I would think would be more common? I can't find the image of a setup I really like; two hasps spaced on the front of the chest with a bar/rod passing through them, the end has a ring that a padlock goes through and the one hasp. A nice rugged way to lock the chest, but using only one lock. Beckets; I also see several chests that have no beckets, some with no handles at all, and others with more 'traditional' handles... Thoughts on this?

Turning this... into a captain's sea chest...

Oh, I see were gonna have some more interesting conversations! I see a conflict in this thread, are the slant sided chests too early, too late, or in period at one end or another? Regardless, a straight sided chest is probably THE most common style, as it was said in a manner "Functionality over style is the rule of the sailor." If the slant sided chest was superior, why do we not see them today? Pros to the slant side; If you set two chests side by side, the beckets are given space so the bottom of the chests could touch, no waste of deck space. Plus, to pull one out you can get to the sides to pull easily. Lower CG so harder to tip over. Cons; Harder to construct, very slight waste of wood, harder to repair if damaged, slightly less space inside than a straight sided chest. At present in my very sparse spare time, I'm refurbishing a grand old chest into a sea chest... it was in my parents basement and is actually a patternmakers chest... I'll post images of the progress later...

Hahahahahahahahahaha! That's great!

So, using these would be the ticket...

Aye!!!! Happiest o Birthdays to ye!!! Enjoy this day and many more to come! Slainte!!!!!!

Ed... haha... too bad there's this big pond in our way, because I'd really like to shake your hand someday. Ok, I wouldn't be suprised if you felt this way. If necessity is a spur to ingenuity and the mother of invention, then disagreement is a spur to research and the mother of new ideas. I don't know, I'd have to look at Lisa's Wasa book (she lived in Sweden for a year and has actually seen the Wasa). Since there is so much in this Plymouth book, I'll have to do a little bit at a time. "The simplest form of construction of case pieces is the nailed configuration. It was quick, efficient and less expensive than joined furniture." "Dovetailed joints on boxes and chests were not commonly seen until the end of the century, and rarely then. Nailed construction was used well into the nineteenth century in the more rural and isolated communities in the United States." Bold, my addition... This is from A Cubberd, Four Joyne Stools & Other Smalle Thinges: The Material Culture of Plymouth Colony. It's a great book, and don't let the title fool you. There's a wealth of info on things later than the Pilgrims. The book has a good 15 pages on chests, though only the first few resemble anything close to a sea chest. Frankly, I'm surprised that nailed construction was so popular. Digging up an old thread.... Nails used for chests, any ideas what? The old square, forged style? Copper or brass? Think their were ever brass wood screws used? I know copper and brass nails/tacks were used aboard ships, just wondered if the same goes for sea chests... most of the images I've found of sea chests, they are painted so you can't see what might be holding them together...

Seems folks are posting their Airship Personas here, and it got me thinkin'.... So... Name:Angus MacAvaddy, call him Mac... Crew Position - Pilot/Helmsman/Jack-of-all-Trades History - Done a little of everything... worked on the Railroad, Riverboats, Sailing and SteamShips in Europe and the Americas. Don't trust the government - any government to get a fair deal on anything... Seen enough war to make any man sick of it. Got interested in air machines but them 'aeroplanes just aren't quite good enough.... yet'... Can be pretty quiet but if you insult a comrade, be afraid... Good with many different weapons, or tools, or tools as weapons... Has slight 'mad scientist' tendencies, has read about Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse and finds electricity fascinating. The idea of harnessing lightening as a power source or even weapon has possibilities. Still thinkin'... always thinkin'...