Captain Jim-sib

Link below gives historical background of the white whale. Not mention is that the reported cannabalism of the survivors in the Essex's longboat sojourn. Perhaps the best review of Melville's classic was done on "In Living Color" by the "Men on Books"..."Two snaps back!" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moby_Dick

Via Royaliste, 8/17 You are correct

Saw it several times when I was working on off shore drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. Twas working the night shift & would catch the sunrise. Dynamic event.

Via Patrick Hand Pyrat Rum comes in an onion-type bottle . Excellent rum.

Encountered a woman last year in Elizabeth City, NC who was an Osmond. Claimed to be a direct desendant to Mary Osmond, Blackbeard's last wife taken in Bath, NC.

From ELP's "Works, Vol.1" Twas just listening to it yesterday as I worked in me woodshop.

Missed it, twas watching UNC-TV's show about Lawson's trek thru the Carolinas. Turns out SCETV's show last night was a primer for the main gig on Nov.22nd...Blackbeard's Death Date. See link below for details. http://www.goupstate.com/article/20070523/...9/1028/SPORTS71

Just returned from the Charleston Maritime Festival. A Grand time it twas. Enjoyed seeing again many of the Brethren that were at Bath & Beaufort, NC. Though I t'wer busy with me fleets-in-flasks booth during the day, it was nice to share an evening dram of the ol Pyrat Rum with the crew after yer long day with activities that you were doing with the folks of "Chucktown". Unfortunately, twas unable to get shots of the gun demonstrations, yet the sounds from my end of the festival were impressive. Some picture links fer ye all. Best regards, Jim-sib Rogues from Shadow Players at the artists row. http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/100_3661.jpg Sharing drams with Jamaica Rose, Michael, Carl, and others http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/100_3662.jpg One view of the camp: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/100_3666.jpg The Cape Fear Crew area: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/100_3682.jpg A dram of rum before boarding a tall ship (surprised that ship!): http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/100_3680.jpg Group shot: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...e/100_3689a.jpg Parade of Sail Pride of Baltimore & the Spirit of South Carolina: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/100_3702.jpg The Tarangini of India: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/100_3705.jpg The Brig Prince William of England: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/100_3708.jpg The Bark Picton Castle of Canada: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/100_3710.jpg The Gloria of Columbia http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/100_3713.jpg

Photos from NC Wooden Boat Show, May 5-7 Royaliste and Meka II docked at Olde Beaufort Seaport: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/100_3622.jpg Repaired Starboard Stern of Royaliste: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/100_3627.jpg Capt'n Gary & Coast Guard as visitors disembark: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/100_3628.jpg Neat sail rig on a log-type canoe at Saturday's Show: http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g276/2go...se/100_3629.jpg

DRIFTING OFF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF, April 21, 2007 Deserted yacht stumps searchers No signs of crew, but boat found with table set, engine running MERAIAH FOLEY Associated Press SYDNEY, Australia --The missing crew of a catamaran found deserted off the Great Barrier Reef -- with the sails up, engine running and food on the table -- had been planning the "trip of a lifetime," the daughter of one of the three men said Friday. Nine planes and two helicopters were flying over an area about 805 miles long, along with four volunteer rescue boats, police and maritime officials said. Marine police were also towing the 40-foot Kaz II back to shore. A coastal patrol aircraft spotted the vessel on Wednesday; rescue workers who reached the boat early Friday confirmed no one was aboard. Emergency officials said a dinghy was found on board the catamaran, along with its emergency beacon and three life jackets. The catamaran's sails were up, but the headsail was "shredded," according to Warwick Bracken of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. There was no indication of any other damage. "They got on board and said the engine was running, the computers were running, there was a laptop set up on the table, which was running, the radio was working. ... And there was food and utensils set on the table ready to eat, but no sign of the crew," said Jon Hall, a spokesman for Queensland state's Emergency Management office. "It was a bit strange," he said. The crew, Australians ages 56, 63 and 69, had set out Sunday, and was planning to sail for six to eight weeks, according to Sharon Davidson of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Greg Connor, a forecaster with the Bureau of Meteorology, said the sailors would have faced moderate southeasterly winds of about 22 mph, typical weather for this time of year. "It would have been excellent sailing conditions," he said. "There's no reason to believe this is a weather-related incident." ************************************************ Sounds similar to the 5-masted schooner Carroll A. Deering that came ashore off Cape Hatteras in 1921

" 'So it goes,' says Billy Pilgrim"

From google "cork stoppers, history"...the following links http://www.corkfacts.com/contpges/histmain.htm http://www.realcork.org/artigo.php?art=1

Ye be looking for the "onion" bottle. In POTC-I, when Sparrow & Miss Swan were on the the rum island, they were drinking from "onion" bottles. Kuddo's to Disney for their research. Two sources below to aid yer research (google "onion bottle, history" or "mallet bottle, history"). Pyrat Rum comes in a near onion shape if you need a modern faxsimilie Best regards to ye. Selling, but good pictures: http://www.jamestownglasshouse.com/Reproduction4.asp Good history of bottles: http://www.airwreck.com/bottles/bottles.html

Welcome Back to NC. Dr. Nateman & crowd should be most willing to help you in your needs. Also, William in the Boat House, across the museum on Front St., can help you in your woodshop needs. Swell woodshop with giant planers! Of course, Sinbad is quite proud of his wood shop. Hope to see ye in May at the Wooden Boat Show. Best regards to ye & yours.

Congrats on the assignment. May ye have fair winds & no earthquakes during yer hitch!

How long will ye be in Beaufort? Still planning for the Wooden Boat Show?

Very dapper you & your comrades look on the NQG cover, Cascabel. Hope to see you in Charleston.

"The Only Life that Matter" may be going to film. Producers have been talking to Nelson about it.

Best regards on yer Birthday

Just finished Chaffin's Sea of Gray, about the CSS Shenandoah. Have Jim Nelson's Glory in the Name, historical fiction about CSS Navy, on the bed stand.

Har be some 28 mm pirate figures...which may be too small for your scale. Model Expo has some larger pirate figures in their "specials/closeouts" section for $2 each. (oophs, posted on wrong thread) http://www.legends-in-time.com/Main.jsp?li...0Foundry%2028mm

During the GAoP, and before, white was common below the waterline, as Capt'n Enigma states. Galleys of the Elizabethean Era, Spanish, English, & Dutch used white on the ship's hull. Above the white was often a band of black (see link below). A Yellow ochre band was normally found on the gunport section on many Colonial period vessels. Basically, a wooden ship had a life span of twenty years, if that, and the builders would tend to economize on the construction costs. Much of the elaborate paint would often come out of a captain's own pocket. As for converting Old Ironsides into a Baltimore-Clipper schooner that was the basic privateering vessel, a steeper dead rise would be needed. You may need to cut out part of the bow hull & use some filler. Remember that privateers were service vessels and not very eloborate. The Jolly Roger kit could easly be converted to a pirate brig similar to what the pirate Charles Vane had, the Ranger. A good source for ship reference is Howard Chapelle, and recommend "Search for Speed Under Sail" and The History of the American Sailing Navy" be added to your collection. Best of luck & watch that Testor's glue vapors http://www.carolinasib.com/images/Frame.ph...lackbeard's ADVENTURE&price=CALL

Stamp collections ? You may want to add this one...or use it to send your favorite bill or tax form ! http://www.cafepress.com/buy/pirate/gothic...pt_/fpt_/c_360/

Coat pieces with a flat acrylic finish, which you probably know, to take the gloss off.

Used to make meade many years ago. The process I used involved maturing for about 6 weeks+. Can understand why vikings would go out pillaging & plundering after drinking this. One cannot ferment all the sugar in the honey, so one gets a strong alcohol buzz with a sugar kicker!