William Brand

We are strongly encouraging all participants to purchase a period lantern for the event. The added lighting at night will improve the photo opportunities and atmosphere of the camps. We are also doing some after hours events which may involve walking around (we'll explain this later) and you'll want a good lantern.

That's not a bad idea for travel oars as poles. Not bad at all!

Michael Mendenhall of Fighting Quaker Forge made waffles for us on a period waffle iron at the Utah Pirate Invasion. They were glorious waffles.

Welcome! Raise a glass!

EDIT: Participants can show up Friday Morning, but the event ends shortly after the park closes on Sunday night. Originally we were told that we could arrive earlier and stay later, but they changed their minds. Some of us are camping or hoteling before and after. The planning continues, but I can now confirm early arrival for camping participants. There are some specific limitations to arriving early, but they're minor. Participants can show up Wednesday night and stay through Monday morning, so you can enjoy the place for days! specific times and details on this to follow, but we can camp!

My name is William. I’m an admin. I like bacon. I shouldn’t be allowed to have this much power. I cannot confirm the existence of an extensive personal file with the FBI.

This is a placeholder for planning. Details to be added later. Just a short list of activities being discussed: Camping in and around the fort Black powder muskets, pistols and cannons Skirmishes and battles Historic demonstrations Reading of the Articles Period plays Mock trials Live music Ghost Walks An ‘auction before the mast’ on Saturday Night Special merchandise celebrating the event and the Pub

February 24 - On this day in 1720, the Spanish fleet arrived at New Providence, only to find that Roger's had fortified the place with new defenses. Wary of Rogers' defenses, the Spanish landed troops on Paradise Island (then known as Hog Island), which shelters Nassau's harbor, but they were driven off by Rogers' troops. And on February 24th in 1725, the trial of Matthew Perry and a number of other sailors began in Newport, Rhode Island. Perry was the first mate aboard the ship 'John and Mary' when it was captured off the coast of Belize by members of the Low-Spriggs pirate crew, now under the command of Richard Shipton (Low had been cast adrift some months earlier). Three pirates went aboard the John and Mary to take command, with orders to follow Shipton's vessel. Perry was initially bound with his hands tied behind his back, but in a matter of days, several other captives aboard the ship, who were entrusted by the pirates, were able to free Perry and gave him one of their pistols. Anchored off the coast of Guanaja in the Bay of Honduras one afternoon in late December, Perry and the other captives suddenly rushed the pirates, killed two of them, and regained control of the ship. The men cut their cables and immediately set sail back home to Newport. When they arrived, however, they were put on trial -- because the men, with “force and arms,” had killed “two of the subjects of our Lord the King.” Yet since these two “subjects” were by all accounts pirates, there never seemed to be any question of the crew’s innocence. The men recounted their capture and escape, and all of them were found not guilty.

Thanks for sharing these.

Thank you.

February 23 - It is believed that Captain Samuel Bellamy was born on this day in 1689, not because we have a record of his birth, but because his mother Elizabeth Bellamy is reported to have died in childbirth and was buried that day.

I knew it was a long shot. Thanks for a quick response.

I've not heard from him in several years. The email that I have might not be working anymore.

The English barred us in that yesterday and took the shelter of the field away We gave it up with jealous wonting ever and vowed return in some unseen December But as the years went swiftly by we raised a glass in silent cry For corral fields and rampart skies New songs unsung and well told lies Bring back the laughter and embraces Which gather strangers to those places Quick to friendship and romances Brimmed with laughter and stolen glances Riots brewed by auctioneers In tents full filled with privateers Another Solstice come and gone No song, no words, no fort anon - William Brand "That December Fort" February 20, 2023

I never said, 'thank you'. Thank you.

Mission, have you come across any example of the 'cook' or 'mess mates'...how do I put this...'clearing the plates', as in, eating the leftover food off the plates? With finer food being limited among the common man, I've often wondered if it's ever been mentioned.

Thank you for the link. I need to practice a little hand sewing.

February 20 - On this day in 1521, Juan Ponce de León set out from Spain for Florida with about 200 prospective colonists. Also…and this isn’t the least bit piratical…or is it?. On this day in 1673, the first recorded wine auction took place in London. And on this day in 1685, René-Robert Cavelier established Fort St. Louis at Matagorda Bay thus forming the basis for France's claim to Texas. And on this day in 1815, the USS Constitution, under Captain Charles Stewart fought the British ships Cyane and Levant. The Constitution captured both, but lost the Levant after encountering a British squadron. The Constitution and the Cyane returned to New York safely.

Amen. When visiting an event always ask 'What do you need?' or 'How can we/I help?'. You never know, but you you might be the reason that an event survives.