William Brand

Two things we must always keep in mind... One. This is an open forum. What does this mean to you and me? It means that we're in the twenty-first century and everyone here has differences of opinion. Two. If you ask for your opinion you WILL GET a mix of opinions. That is the interent folks. Anyone who takes themselves so seriously as to be offended while dressing up in 17th and 18th century clothing while utilizing a 21st century medium might need to unplug. We are a silly, anachronistic lot. We are hobbyists of the most bloodthirsty trade in maritime history and we spend it online in forums fraught with SPAM and historical conjecture and yet we can still find time to be put off by what we perceive as elitism? We are a silly, anachronistic lot, indeed. Now, let's all get drunk and burn something to the waterline.

^ Car. < I'm in a good mood today. I think I'll work in the yard. V Do you let the opinions of others control whether you stay or go?

The roster fills and fills.

^ I like coconut. < I like it fresh out of the coconut. Straight. Unprocessed. V I'll pass the question on.

July 30, 1704 - St. Louis Docks, Martinique "Pleasure...?" William said sardonically. "I have business ashore collecting shares from the jeweler, Monsieur Molyneaux. Afterwards, I must seek an audience with the master of the Fort Royal prison, and whomever else I must see in order to seek after prison recruits." This put pause in the conversation for everyone, but Petee, who muttered, "That a pipe should not stay lit on such a day as this..." William noted a few questions on the faces of everyone but Captain Lasseter, so he continued. "I enjoy a little variety as much as the next man, but our english is watered down of late and we must have more crew...for Heron and 'Dog. I shall see if there is enough to be had from the prison, and how many of them might be restored again to sea service. Some two dozen should be enough. The rest shall be gleaned from the French and Spanish." "Shall we take on prison marines, sah?" Mister Pew asked, and whether he liked the idea or not, it didn't play out in his tone. "I don't imagine so. I'm after able seaman and craftsman." "Aye, sah." "Mister Pew, I'll need you back again by the morrow. If this Tawny business is not resolved by then, we must let it go." ~Larboard Watches on Duty~

You might be surprised just how often I hear that, Mister Pew. People are always discarding some very nice boats.

I avoid most of them.

Aye, Mister Pew. We should begin work on a jollyboat to ferry guests across the lagoon, and perhaps do a spot of fishing.

I wasn't willing to admit that I'm an insomniac...but lately...I don't want to go to bed at all.

^ No, but it is a long ways off yet. < Unless you count the trip over seas, which is vacation more than event. V I'll pass the question as well.

Complaining...? What? For the record, I am not complaining at all.

You weren't wild before...?

Ahhh, the other shoe drops. Well, it is better to have the preferred job, then you won't need us as much to forget the bad days.

You have to be a registered member of that yahoo group to see the photos. I registered, but was denied membership. I've never been denied a membership. That's a first.

^ Bacon. < Sadly though, I have only been to the one event, which is consuming enough that it will probably be the only one this year. V I'll pass the question.

Well, I suppose I could tentatively list the Royalist and list you as camping on the Royalist. This will be the first time of ever listed a ship.

In honor of Pew's departure from his previous place of employment, we are serving Dragon Rolls today...

Here is a wonderful little find... ...Cornelis Claesz. van Wieringen details...

Nice...thank you for the link. "John Singleton Copley's Watson and the Shark was inspired by an event that took place in Havana, Cuba, in 1749. Fourteen-year-old Brook Watson, an orphan serving as a crew member on a trading ship, was attacked by a shark while swimming alone in the harbor. His shipmates, who had been waiting on board to escort their captain ashore, launched a valiant rescue effort. John Singleton Copley, Watson and the Shark, 1778. National Gallery of Art, Ferdinand Lammot Belin Fund 1963.6.1" So, a painting done nearly 30 years after the incident by an artist who wasn't there constitutes evidence that one of the rescuers - apparently a deck officer - wore shoes. Ergo, able seamen of the era ordinarily wore shoes? So, if a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge told me when I was in college that his rifle had jammed during the battle, and I pained a picture of him trying to clear his rifle - which I made an M-16 in the painting - that is evidence that the U.S. Army carried M-16s during the battle of the Bulge? Capt. William Why did you quote that particular passage from this thread? I was just talking about the history of the painting itself. However... This painting was painted in 1697 by Abraham Storck. Almost every visable sailor in the painting is wearing stockings and shoes.

Aye. I have a really nice hat... I do not own a frigate with a crew at my command.

Mate, a boat goes a long way. Look at the Captains of the Royaliste and the Wolf. They could wear pink taffata and I'd still sail with them half way round the globe. I boat just goes a long way. If you have a passable kit and a boat is a real possibility, then keep focusing on the boat.

Clothing is short term. Boat is long term. Now you have to ask yourself whether or not you have short or long term money, because a boat requires maintainence.

The thank you goes to pyrateleather for the link.

July 30, 1704 - The St. Louis Docks Between three and four bells of the Afteroon Watch "The Devil." William said, with a raised eyebrow. "We'll put him on the Heron." There were mixed comments on this subject, ranging from Pierre's youth to the danger in taking on buccaneers as crewmen. The discussion continued until Pierre looked utterly faint with excitement. The lad was so overtaken by the real possibility of being hired on as a crew member to a privateer, that his resolve to stand at attention threatened to give over to his shaking hands. This conversation was eventually overlapped a little by the news of the cannon sales, which Mister Youngblood had returned to with the arrival of Captain Lasseter. Petee explained about the acquisition of the two brass sixes, as much to Dorian's surprise as it had been to William's surprise before. Dorian seemed delighted, and took the news with a brimming smile. One could almost see the calculations in his mind as he went over the weight and firepower of the new sixes, as well as the sale of the iron guns which the brass ones would be replacing. William passed the heavy bag of coin to Mister Lasseter with a knowing smile. "Swivels and sixes." ~Larboard Watches on Duty~

^ I'm installing a flag pole behind the second story roof which will carry a pirate flag aloft. Most likely I will fly my moon and stars. < I am in the middle of a fine flu bug. It makes for very long days and nights. V I'll pass the question on.