William Brand

Aye. Here's another reference. Cagg or kaggi - Old Norse for keg or cask (1452)

Hamper comes from the word hampren "to surround, imprison, confine," later "to pack in a container". As I've always understood it, a hamper is another version of a case (a receptacle for holding other things). Cases and hampers are often listed as holding bottles or tin/copper cannisters. Is cagg an alternate spelling of keg?

It's interesting to see nails listed in 'baskets' and 'boxes' as I've always seen them in casks, barrels and firkins. I've seen basket illustrations in holds and I've always assumed they would be employed for fruit or soft goods, but like the lists provided by Iron Jon, I can only find fruit shipped in barrels. I'm reminded of young Jim hiding from Silver at the bottom of an apple barrel.

While we're on this subject, I would love to hear of an example of rice being shipped in anything other than sacks or bags. I can find no mention of any other kind of container for rice from China all the way to the Americas. Interestingly enough, the majority of ship inventories I've seen bearing rice from the period and for almost a hundred years after often list slaves and rice together, as slaves and rice were both available for export from West Africa. The availability of rice also allowed blackbirders to feed slaves cheap fare while in route to England and the colonies. So we have tobacco in hogsheads. - http://www.history.org/history/teaching/tradsamp.cfm "A barrel called a hogshead was used to ship tobacco to England. A hogshead was one type of container made by a cooper. By law, it was 48" tall and 30" across the head (either end.) It held 1,000 - 1,500 pounds of tobacco. Numbers burned into the side of the barrel indicated the weight of the barrel alone (tare weight), the weight of both the barrel and the tobacco (gross weight), and the weight of the tobacco only (net weight.)" Rice in sacks and bags. Textiles in bales.

Here's an interesting bit of information about an interesting cargo. "MOSCOW, February 8 (RIA Novosti) - A Russian ship which sank in 1771 off the coast of Finland is to be raised, Russia's cultural watchdog said on Friday. The Dutch ship Vrouw Maria sank in the Baltic Sea in 1771 while carrying works of art bought by the Russian empress, Catherine the Great, in Amsterdam. The ship's cargo contained around 300 works of art, including paintings by Rembrandt, as well as jewelry, silverware, etchings and porcelain. In 1999, the ship was discovered by Finnish explorers and the cargo was proclaimed the property of Finland, in line with international maritime law. Experts said the cargo, which lay at a depth of 41 meters, was undamaged as it was wrapped in buckskin and kept in lead containers filled with wax." http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080208/98764750.html

Welcome aboard, Old Horse. You'll find yourself in good company. We all have an unhealthy interest in pirates.

August 6, 1704 - The Watch Dog William watched the watches gathering on the weatherdecks, a pack of loyal and strange dogs mixed together. He wondered what they would do together in peace and war in the coming months, and seeing the Spanish wounded he was brought him to thoughts of his own. He excused himself to the surgery. Maeve O'Treasaigh looked up from the business of changing Ajayi's bandages. "Captain Brand." "Doctor." William returned, and the title so easily given gave Maeve pause. "How are our patients?" he asked, clapping a hand to the shoulder of a grinning, drowsy and partially intoxicated Luigi. "Broken, but mending, Captain." William watched her work and found it familiar. He turned a little toward the diminishing Martinique, but did not find a view of the island from his vantage point. "Is something amiss, sir?" Briar inquired. "No." William said, looking back again and smiling. He had been thinking of the doctor they had left behind, which led to thoughts of Van Zandt in prison. "It's nothing." He walked up to Joshua's bedside and was glad to see the man asleep, though his face was covered in beads of sweat. "A fever." Maeva explained, as Briar passed her a cold cloth. "It will pass." "Captain..." Briar began, and he gave her his attention. "Are all of your Spanish guests wounded?" William made a mirthless little laugh in his throat and nodded. "Aye. When you are both able I will have you see to them in turn. I imagine those who would have died, have done so, but there are a great number of dressings to be seen to." "May we have use of the rag bin, Captain?" William nodded. Then he sat awhile watching Ajayi, who was watching him with those piercing, well traveled eyes. It was strange stuff to have Ajayi fix such a long an searching look. It reminded William of another time. He returned the man's look, understanding it for something that few men aboard would understand. Maeva and Briar both watched this interaction as they mopped the brow and arms of a feverish Wellings. Then the exchange was interrupted as the cook came in at the passageway door. He bore a large bowl of soup, and it was utterly different than any other fare prepared that day. Owing to Ajayi's much abused teeth, Lazarus had taken care to make a soup of the softest meats and vegetables he could find in a soup that was more broth than substance. The two men exchanged the weathered, knowing smile that only two men left together on the open sea could understand. Ajayi was very grateful and thanked the cook in his own tongue. As Lazarus went out William said, "You're a king among cooks, Mister Gage." Lazarus smiled. "I'll be a Captain one day." "I don't doubt it." Then William went out into the day. He had kept the watches waiting. "Ahh...my apologies gentlemen...and ladies." He went up to the quarterdeck to see them better as he spoke. Then he was speaking about the matters of the past few days. He kept nothing from them as he narrated both adventures and misadventures of him and others who had seen much and known trials. He explained the parting of Tawny, the finding of Wellings, and the rescue of Ajayi. He also explained the presence of Durand, the wounded Spanish and the nearness of the Navarra. He informed them the journey they would have taken for their purposes was now a passage paid for by the Spanish. They cheered, groaned, smiled, frowned and exhibited all manner of appreciative and sympathetic sounds as he explained the goings on of the past, present and profitable future. With all of this done he called for a Liar, but before nominations could be called for that purpose, he raised a hand remembering another matter altogether. "One more piece of business first." A quiet fell and a soberness, for Captain Brand's face had clouded with the threat of something serious. "Those who served aboard the Heron, tell me faithfully..." ...who was it that struck down Stoneburrows?" The murmur that spread was palpable. Between one and two bells of the Afternoon Watch

Aye, the list on the first page is regularly updated. If you don't see yourself there, or if there are changes to names, crews and any other information, please let me know.

My son's name is Liam and we came very close to naming him Andrew after my brother.

Then welcome to the crew of the Mercury! Shall I list you as Commodore Swab and wife?

What crew or group name shall I list with your lot?

Okay, you've posted cool things before, but these...wow. I'm buying you lunch.

Fantastic. Wonderful work. Very thoughtful for you to place everything I want in one room, so that when I break in an... ...um.

No, no. As I pirate I have to admit that there is still a 3% change that I'd go through your pockets and look for loose change.

Welcome aboard, Mister McLaren, and a preemptive greeting to the crew of the Salamander.

Liars were called before the mast for the purpose of cleaning the head. A sailor caught in a lie was designated as the Liar (usually for a week) and had the wonderful duty of cleaning the rope and hole that constituted the toilet (or head) at the bow of the ship. As Coker also means liar, it may be that the duties of cleaning went further and to more people at one time than I had previously heard of before now.

Updated. 70 people listed so far, and it's only April.

August 6, 1704 - The Watch Dog Between seven and eight bells of the Forenoon Watch With the approach of noon, William set about to complete another piece of unfinished business. He called Jim Warren, and he, Jacob Badger, each in turn on down until all were called to assemble before the mast at the sounding of the next bell. While men and women of the Starboard watch slowly drifted into the daylight, William chanced to speak with Durand. For all of his strength of carriage, the man looked a little green. William asked after his health, wondering if the limit of one eye added to the man's obvious distemper with every sway of the 'Dog. Durand only grumbled and accepted a glass of Tudor's offered tea gratefully. Tudor gave William the smallest of reproving glances, as if to say, "Someone favors my tea, you barbarian". William narrowed his eyes at the cheeky steward, shaking his head a little as she passed. "Lazarus has planned a naples bisket and gurnets cooked with white wine for the Ward Room tonight, sah." She said this, almost in passing as she went down the companionway, as if such fare were served aboard daily. "Then let night come." William said appreciatively as he and Jim exchanged a nod. Durand did not look properly enthused about the news, but despite this William him and told Jim to have every Master and the ship's doctor present for supper.

Nice..... My shipmates...got to watch my back, I do... And not to worry, Jack, I will be back at PiP. William, I realize I was in error in not having one of you standing by in the surgery to ah, press my case with the physicians. Still, seeing as how you were planning to divide my shares so quickly, I may want someone else to accompany you should the time ever come again. Just bein' cautious is all... Planning on dividing your shares? One never plans to divide shares, as one cannot plan when and where one shares shall be left behind. However, one does plan to know what one should do with those shares belonging to another in the event that they are lost at sea, killed in combat or sent winging to heaven or hell by a pressed, mercury pushing, undereducated man of limited medical experience. The matter of shares is of course less important than the importance of the man himself, but with the man gone, shares as remains must satisfy those remaining. I would of course pass them along faithfully to Patricia as I might, but I assume she was more aware of your shares these past few days than we. And to think that you doubt my loyalty after you saved my miserable hide in the Carolinas. Tsk, tsk and another tsk.

You went to a chirurgeon without consulting any of your shipmates. How would we know who to string up if something had gone wrong? There were profound threats to be made. Assurances to be considered. Shares to divide in the event of...well... We're glad you're fine.

August 6, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog William watched the Lucy fade into the brightening horizon on one of the clearest mornings they had known since coming to the island. Added to this view were some six dozen fishing vessels and a handful of merchantmen bound for the open seas. It was a good omen to see so much stretched canvas flying before a favorable wind. Now, unlike any time since waking, William was anxious. The Navarra was not demonstrating as much discipline in her efforts, and her delay threatened to put them far behind the Lucy and waste a prevailing wind. Still, it allowed the last of the smallboats to finish the task at hand. William went down and walked among the throng of strangers. He welcomed them in Spanish, and as greetings in that tongue completed his entire understanding of the language, conversation was brief. Cobus was employed everywhere to send directions to the battered refugees, as was Thorvald. William would have sent the Spaniards below and out of the crew's way altogether, but so piteous were some of their injuries, that he thought food might go a long way to keeping them alive. They were gathered at the galley to eat and within a few minutes of carefully orchestrated chaos they were all seated about the larboard side of the weatherdecks. Here, near the galley door, Treasure and Moira fed them a ladle full of heavy soup laced with cream and a hunk of bread that was still soft from baking. It was luxurious stuff, soon to be forgotten. During this time the last of the Watch Dog's boats went to their cradled place above the gallows. Meanwhile, a smallboat from shore arrived almost too late, bearing the few belongings requested by Donatien from the night before. Monsieur Durand was most grateful of the clothing and chest and hauled them straight way to his place of rest, sending the boat again with a crafted letter for his countrymen. Then, the Navarra was coming across their bow gaining speed on the wind. She moved well for a ship so heavy laden, and once moving it would take a considerable force to stop her. As she passed, Spaniards hailed Spaniards and William tipped his hat to Avendano as he went. "Mister Warren! Mister Badger!" William called, and orders too many to count passed in rapid succession. Apart from the wounded, all were at work. The Watch Dog leaned hard over as she turned into the wind and William smiled to feel himself lean into the pitch of the deck. His hands clasped behind his back and a smile settled in his eyes. All he could see was the widening sea and the distant sail of the Lucy as she flew upon the water. The Whole Company cheered to leave Martinique, but for Murin as she blinked her way into the day. She jumped when Petee touched off His Grace in farewell salute to the French. Between first and second bell of the Forenoon Watch - Bearing West Southwest Larboard Watches on Duty

"A moment, Captain!" William turned to Jim who was counting the various Spaniards. They spoke for a moment and agreed that some 31 men were to join their company. William pointed to a boat carrying 11 of these. "Those men there shall be for the Lucy! Can you bear that many more?" "Aye!" Dorian returned. "We'll find them a place." "Thank you, Captain! Let us quit this place!" "Agreed!" William called for Thomas Crips and his fiddle and offered to share a song with the Lucy to weigh anchors by. Dorian was already sending down orders to raise the best bower as the last of the small boats scrambled to get supplies aboard in the midst of a departure that neither captain would forestall any longer. The air filled with shouting. Orders were heard everywhere, above and below, and the Navarra was no less quiet where she lay. The rigging, rails and bowels of every ship were alive with work. Above all this din came the unexpected, lighthearted music of Thomas Crips. He was, as he had been reported to be, one of the finest fiddlers William had ever heard and he was glad of the music. Those men that bent their backs to his melodies, were equally glad. Music made the work lighter. William stood, a man apart from the chaos. With all of the orders given, he was content to watch the machine of the frigate at work. Then he recalled a piece of business unfinished, and then another, and then a third. "Mister Badger!" "Sah." "Food and fresh clothing for the prisoner, if you please." "The prisone...ahhhhh...yes, sah." Jacob knuckled off a salute. "And Mister Badger..." "Sah." "It seems to me that her accommodations are...disproportionate. It seems unjust to me that she should have the fore lastage all to herself while so many faithful should be alloted but a shoulder's span." "Aye, sah. Disproportionate." "Return her to the ranks of the Whole Company for work. I'll not feed the idle." There was a cold simplicity in William's tone.

August 6, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Small boats came and went in quick succession bearing goods purchased by the Navarra. Much of what was purchased came from neighboring ships, to make better use of the hour. With these supplies came almost three dozen men of the Navarra's crippled escort. They were a motley group, with many an interesting face, but almost all of Spanish origins. "Look at them, Mister Warren." William mused, leaning on the rail. "We have wounded enough and Avendano sends me these...remains." Jim Warren plucked a pipe from his hat and huffed, for many of the inbound Spaniards were visibly bandaged and beyond careworn. "There's more wounded than fresh." "The remnants of Voulet." "His folly or fortune." Jim added. William puzzled again on the matter of so many Spaniards sent from a ship bearing a French name. There were no answers and there might never be any. "Well, the bargain is struck and we have enough to sail by. Send a third part to the Lucy and see the rest stowed with the goods." The Eighth bell of the watch was sounding as he spoke. William called for Mister Badger to fetch him some strong backs to the capstan and windlass. Then William hailed the Lucy. "Ahoy there! Send word for Captain Lasseter!"

August 6, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog "The good doctor will have a say in that before I'm satisfied of your fitness." William returned, then nodded toward the galley. "Light duty for the time being. See yourself to the galley. O'Flaherty will have her hands full with more mouths to feed." William was suddenly distracted by the clumsy handling of the jollywatt and turned away before she could reply. "Steady on there, Mister Wigg! I'll not waste Mister Greene with mending your mistakes!" "Aye, sah. Sorry, sah." "Careful, Edmund." Thomas Wheateham chided, smiling. "Mind yerself." Wigg muttered back.

When designing the Mercury I borrowed on several different sloop examples, especially the 1711 Sloop Ferret. Like the Ferret, the Mercury began life as a single mast, Bremuda style sloop, but it was later converted to a Brig Sloop.