William Brand

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December 1 - On this day in 1718, the HMS Lyme reported the following (From page 263 of "The Last Battle"). "Soon after dawn on Thursday, December 1, lookouts on board the two British warships spotted two sloops approaching from seaward.    It was Maynard, returning in triumph, with Blackbeard's head still swinging from the bowsprit of the Jane.    The log of HMS Lyme recorded the event in the usual nonchalant, understated manner adopted by the Royal Navy: "Light Wind, Fair Visability, Wind WSW.    This Morn.    Sloops returned from ye exhibition in N. Carolina."    Over two hundred sailors raced into the rigging and lined the sides of the two warships, cheering the arrival of their victorious shipmates.    The battered men of Maynard's command cheered back.    They had plenty to cheer about.    They had survived a hard-fought battle with the pirates, they had been promised a bonus - and they expected a share of the plunder." Also on this day in 1968, Pirate Radio Modern (259) began transmitting in England.

November 30 - Joseph de la Fontaine, of France, was one of Shelvocke’s men. When the Speedwell was in need of provisions and wood, and repairs were necessary to the gale-battered vessel, De la Fontaine told Shelvocke that everything she wanted was to be found on the island of Chiloe off the Chilean coast. The soil of the island was very fertile, he said, producing fruits and grains, with fine pasturing for herds of sheep and cattle, there were plenty of fowl and geese. Some industry too, he said, carpets and clothes, and woodwork and furniture, expertly carved - the whole of Chili and Peru were supplied with hams and tongues, and lumber. What was more, the island and the main town Valdivia could be taken easily. On this day in 1719, Speedwell entered the channel between Chiloe and the mainland, flying French colors. Shelvocke tried to barter rather than to plunder. And on this day, Captain Cook begin his third and last trip to the Pacific (South Seas).

Congrats! I hope the sales go well through the holidays and beyond.

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November 19 - On this day in 1620, the Mayflower reached Cape Cod and began exploring the coast. And on this day in 1718… "…the Willing Mind arrived at Green Turtle Key, and took the Goods out of the Neptune, being in a very bad Condition; and after they had taken out all her Cargo, finding the Neptune to be better than they did expect; and, having a fair Wind, brought both Ships up to Providence, the Neptune got in safe, but the Willing Mind struck on the Bar, and sprung a Leak, insomuch that she was forced to unload and careen, and, when down, found her to be very bad, a Piece of her main Keel being gone, so was forced to hawl her ashore; and when the Carpenters had done what could be done to her, she could not be got up again by all the Strength that could be made, and tried for several Days, breaking and tearing all to pieces, but all to no Purpose; so the Governor order'd a Warrant of Survey on her, and was found by the Surveyors not sufficient to proceed any further, being very much damaged in her Wood-Work and Iron-Work, &c. Whereupon the said King desired a second Survey of his Ship and Goods, they lying in a very bad Condition."

HEY! Long time no see! I wish I could have made it out there.

Redundant check in locations across social media... https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Zr6F11jAQNciE3W4/

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Welcome aboard! We used to regularly do Fort de Chartres events and hope to again in coming years.

Welcome aboard! We have a number of Mercury crew members out that way.

First Bell of the Forenoon Watch "There can be only one outcome." Jim said, his tone a calm surface over depths. The Captain and Ship's Master had stood apart from everyone a long while. No one had thought to approach them, because there was a grave and solemn way they conversed. Once, Andrew Light had approached on some errand, but seeing something in their eyes he'd dismissed himself with a parting, "It'll keep." William watched Jim's face for something, anything to help him to a course. He didn't want to be what he had been the last time such things had happened. His own temper was getting him into waters he couldn't navigate clear of, and he needed some tempering before Trinidad, but what he saw in Jim was what he expected any mirror might show him. Saltash was a rat in need of drowning. . . . The rest of the crew was employed in so much of mending and hammering and sewing, that few if any of them had the time to discuss why Saltash was forward under guard. Of course they all knew he was there. The 'Dog was a country only 25 meters, stem to stern. The news had passed with the clumsy change in watches. Any sailor that didn't know of such business was too addled to put to sea. The news was passed along with the condition of every other thing aboard ship. No unnecessary explanations. Some gossip had gone about with the news, but it held too much seawater to be drink. So many had been wounded and lost, that any summation about what he' done could be summed up later, and like the work to be done, summed up quickly. Saltash was in chains in the cable tier. Brand had sent him there. The rest was...well...immaterial in the face of widespread work to be done.

Wonderful video. He touches on some citations I've come across in my own research, so it's good to see the same conclusions and interpretations. Thank you!

"Providence". He said without hesitation, adding, "From...du français". He held out an empty cup, accepting warm drink with a nod. He held the cup in both hands a moment, enjoying the heat for heat's sake. Then he brought it up to drink, but paused, with the barest hint of a smile. "And foolishness." He added, sipping once, then affecting a pantomime of his native tongue. "From thee Een-GLAYSSSH." He chuckled then, in spite of himself. It was deep sound from deep places and gone as quickly as it sounded. Somewhere forward something crashed upon the weather decks, but the cheer that followed spoke of accomplishment, not accident.

Durand let her finish, glanced once at Ajayi, who was watching them both, and plucked up a solitary potato while invoking a solitary reply. "Amen."