William Brand

July 31, 1704 - Aboard the Navarra on the Cul du Sac Royal 2 bells of First Watch Dorian was not disappointed. Not only did Tudor sway the Lieutenant by the use of several, carefully answered questions, she also managed a few inquiries of her own. Within half an hour's time the Lieutenant had given up not one, but several bits of information about the Navarra's most recent anchorages, including several trade ports of West Africa. Even more than this, they learned the name of the Navarra's crippled escort ship, Le Vedette, a French manned ship which had come under fire from the English during the Atlantic crossing. William used this information to ply Capitán Avendano with a few questions. "What was the size of that force which came against you?" Capitán Avendano seemed hesitant to answer at first. William guessed that this pause might stem from some embarrassment on his part, but this proved to be wrong. The Navarra and Le Vedette had fought off a surprising host of two sloops and a frigate. Georges Voulet, Captain of Le Vedette had been wounded a total of four times during the engagement and had perished from his wounds just before making anchorage at Martinique. Le Vedette had also witnessed the loss of her Master Gunner, Bosun's Mate and some thirty-seven able seamen. It was likely that several more would be dead within the week. "And the Navarra's losses, Capitán...?" Tudor asked, and William was glad that the question had come from someone else. "Twenty-one." Capitán Avendano said simply, and it was impossible to say whether he was glad or not of the small losses against such odds. "The arithmetic of war." William said solemnly, and Capitán Avendano agreed. "And...how many have you lost, Capitán?" Avendano asked, then added. "We have seen the prize at anchor." It wasn't right to say that William was embarrassed just then to admit that he had lost only two in the taking of the Maastricht, but in comparison to the losses of Avendano and Voulet, William thought it might be uncouth to give the exact, and insignificant amount, so he said, "Only a few. We were blessed enough to take them unawares." "You were fortunate." Avendano said, as solemn in his tone now as William had been before. "Aye." William, Dorian and even Tudor said together, all of them two aware that two lives lost was as good a victory as anyone might hope for. What followed was yet another long pause, and perhaps it was fitting to have a moment of silence, given the subject at hand. In the end, it lasted only as long as the next long sip of wine before the Lieutenant plied Miss Smith with another question. "Do you favor the small sword, señora?" "No, Teniente. I favor minions and sakers, but I prefer a quick surrender most of all." "Aye." William agreed, and a toast to quick surrenders went round the table. ~Starboard Watches on Duty~

Here is a map that shows the rampart where the cannons are fired from, the privies and the main gate to the park from the road through the Truman Annex.

Harry Smid just sent me these preliminary maps of the fort and surrounding areas which show the setup spots for the festival. As Harry stated in his email to me, "Folks should think of these maps as a guide to how the event will be set up. Things can change at the last minute."

The Kate is never too crowded. It is both a blessing and a curse, but those who remain have all gained a stone weight since Jenny started cooking in our kitchen. Graaaaavy.

Thank you for all of the updates. I understand that we shall have an additional local crew at the festival, so I'm hoping to add their names very soon.

A small correction...Callenish and Harry will be working together on the matter of Callenish's location. He may be selling his wares with the Mercury encampment.

A merchant may stay within their merchant booth. Merchants at PIP often camp within the large tents which they bring to the festival. As far as your 'folding cottage' and your wares, that is a matter you should take up with Harry directly at Fort Zachary Taylor.

All pirates relish in self-invitations.

Wonderful pictures. Thank you ever so much for sharing the event with us.

Looks...? The crisp is for eating. Dig in!

Here, here. Speaking of dessert...apple crisp ala mode.

As stated in the Fort Zachary Taylor updates thread, The port Royal camp will be inside the fort. The Mercury Careening Encampment and the Sutlers camp will be outside the fort near the beach. The Red Coat camp may be inside the fort and the Archangel crew has not yet decided.

Well, it has happened. We've had our first official retractions. A few people cannot make it and have asked to have their names removed. Vacations unapproved, financial turns, etc. It's never to late to recruit a few more people.

A toast. To all habitations of fine food and drink. Would that chefs went to war in place of whole armies.

Captain Bo, my good fellow. Welcome back.

My dear Miss McDonough. I do hope that you are much recovered since the news. Having been away on work, I haven't had a chance to inquire after you and your health. All of my prayers.

Welcome to the Kate, Mister Roberts. We'll start you off with some brandy, shall we?

67 days to Baconfest.

Welcome aboard. You must forgive the light welcome thus far, but many of our regulars are away at various events. Do enjoy your stay.

July 31, 1704 - Aboard the Navarra The conversation aboard the Navarra continued only as a matter of courses, for the subjects and turns of small talk seemed more connected with the various courses of food, than the company. The conversation was not unpleasant, but William and Dorian exchanged more than one guarded and questioning look, for the reason for their invitation to dinner did not become apparent for the first full hour that they were there on the Spanish ship. Still, the dinner and light conversation continued. When the fourth bell of Second Dog watch was come and gone, Capitán Avendano offered them each a glass of wine from that very region from which the ship herself drew her name, and with the last of the plates cleared, the first true silence fell across the table. During the pause, Miss Smith took to looking at the Lieutenant, who had shown as much disregard for her over dinner, as he had attention on the Watch Dog. She had arrived prepared to due verbal combat, exchanging and receiving questions in a duel of words, but he had said little over dinner. She was also surprised to find her jewelry and gown somewhat wasted, for he had looked at her very little. His personality seemed to be made of polar opposites, sometimes very gracious, and other times utterly removed. Even now she could see that his mind was elsewhere and she wasn't certain if she was glad of it or disappointed. "You have many women aboard your ship, Capitán." Capitán Avendano said all at once for no obvious or particular reason. 'Here it is at last.' William thought, for he had waited all evening for some searching question from the Spanish Captain. But in truth, it had not been a question, but a comment so casual that William was unsure how best to answer for a moment. He might have explained in great detail that many of the women aboard were equal to the men in experience, but he simply said, "Aye." "Do you find this...difficult?" Capitán Avendano asked, seemingly forgetting the presence of Miss Smith. "Not at all, Captain." William returned, his tone light and conversational. "Our Doctor, Miss Fitzgerald, has saved the lives of several of my crew, including myself." "You keep a woman doctor..." Ettore Tarín said with a raised eyebrow, but whether the Spanish Doctor meant this as a question or not, William still chose to answer him. "I do no keep her, but she does keep company with us." "And this...this...distraction?" Capitán Avendano asked, pressing the conversation forward with more curiosity than any subject spoken of before. "My people know their duties, sah." William stated simply. "They know what comes of mistakes." Dorian added. Capitán Avendano seemed to except this, but he moved to another question without hesitation. "And do these women fight?" William smiled, and was glad of the question. He was gladder still that Miss Smith should be there, for she was smiling a little too. "Capitán Avendano, you have the pleasure of sharing the company of one Tudor Smith, who, of her own accord, braved the quarterdeck of that great prize ship at anchor with the Watch Dog. It was she who struck the Dutch colors." "Indeed." said a surprised voice, but it was not the Captain who had spoken. The removed Lieutenant had returned to the conversation at all at once with an appraising look in Tudor's direction. "Indeed." William returned, and he raised his glass in a subtle, silent gesture of toast before drinking. Dorian did the same opposite the Steward. It was the only time that night that Tudor lowered her eyes, still smiling. First Bell of First Watch ~Starboard Watches on Duty~

Ah the silence of a secret keeper. Honorable. Loyal. Breakable! Fetch me some hot irons and a bucket of ice water! I'm kidding. Wine?

I think you have the attention of the entire room, Miss Flint.

There are rivers and bays of fresh water used for that very purpose today, but careening was also necessary for the means of caulking the seams and repairing rotten wood. The requirement of aging.

Shots of really awful alcohol. Oh wait...it's DayQuil.

Worn out. I had a very long and busy day. My projects were constantly interupted. I finally get out the door tonight to pick up an external harddrive, which I desperately need for memory and backup. I drive clear across town to Best Buy, only to learn that the drive I wanted had gone up in price $60. Then, a ray of sunshine. The manager discounts it for me, lowering it back to the sale price. I write out a check and then I realize that I don't have any I.D. on me...so I drive all the way back home with no drive. Nada. Zilch. Zippo.