William Brand

July 22, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Between fifth and sixth bell of First Watch "Prospects. Prospects..." William mused aloud. "I think I shall buy a few more books if I can. We have many a literate man and woman aboard. We might have ourselves a small collection. Can you imagine it?" Mister Lasseter played at heavy concentration and William almost elbowed him. "You like a good book as much as the next man and we have precious few, but...to answer your question. I should like some new clothes." "Aye." Mister Lasseter agreed, for much of his wardrobe was becoming fit for a working day. "I should also like to investigate any maps of Trinidad which I can find to see what lands we are to claim there. I am very interested in an examination of those land deeds in the strongbox. We may have to seek the aid of solicitor in the matter of the deeds so that he might attest to their authenticity and our own legality." -LARBOARD WATCH ON DUTY-

William considered the musings they made aloud, and only when they reached Owen, was he moved enough to interject. "Not Owen." He said with a short finality. "I agree that the man has steady hands. Very steady hands. But what I want, Gentlemen, is a steady attention to the duty of a marine. And perhaps all lookouts aloft will bear the title hereafter, so we must be ever so particular in our choice." He waited for each of them to nod, before continuing. "Ciaran is an excellent choice for a highly seated marksman of the watch. I had thought to keep the office of lookout and marine separate, but I cannot see how it would hurt to hold both offices in the same person, provided that that person be well chosen. With Eagle Eyes in the main top, perhaps it behooves us to arm Miss Tribbiani in the fore top or replace her with another. Then likewise on the Starboard Watch we shall have Tucker in the main and Morrel in the fore. This still leaves three for each watch on the decks and the Master of the Watch." -LARBOARD WATCH ON DUTY-

"Aye. I would choose Mister Flint as one of the four, given the choice. I would also recommend Nathan Bly, not that I know much of his training, but being a former a marine, he should have some understanding which places him above the able seamen in this regard. As for that other marine, Jonas McCormick, I should like it better if he was not among the choices. At least for the time being." -LARBOARD WATCH ON DUTY-

"If all can be made ready by Middle Watch, it would serve to have it noted in the logbooks then. We'll arm the four of the watch and the Master. The shore party will be an altogether different matter, what with so many drinking." William smiled a little. "I'm of two camps when it comes to arming more than the Master and his four ashore." -LARBOARD WATCH ON DUTY-

"Gentlemen...please." William said, gesturing to two prepared glasses of steaming cider, which the two men took up with appreciative smiles. William sent for Mister Lasseter and they drank for a time until he arrived. Mister Gage filled a fourth glass and William passed it to the QM and launched into the matter on his mind. "Mister Pew. Mister Franklin. With Martinique looming on our future horizons, we must consider the armed watches." "Aye" They both agreed. The Quartermaster nodded, having expected to review the protocols while at port. "While we are at anchor at Martinique, I should like to demonstrate a show of discipline and prudence. Whether ashore or aboard, we shall have two armed watches ever. Mister Pew shall pick four able seamen for the Larboard Watch and Mister Franklin shall have the choosing for the Starboard Watch. You may confer together on these choices of course, but I should like one sharpshooter aloft on each watch, with the other three on the fo'c'sle deck, gun deck and poop deck, respectively. The four of the alternate watch will be ashore with the rest of the crew, attending to a more...relaxed watch under the direction of that Master ashore." William paused to sip his cup, allowing for any of them to interject. -LARBOARD WATCH ON DUTY-

22 July 1704, Aboard the ship Watch Dog Four bells of the First Watch William stepped out from the galley at the call of "Land Ho!" and watched Mister Lasseter from a vantage point amidships. The Quartermaster was a marksman of the compass and dividers, so he made no effort to ascend the quarterdeck, content to drink the hot cider which Lazarus had prepared fro the night watches. "Good stuff." William had said to Mister Gage, not that poor stuff ever came out of the galley these days. From Diego down to Lazarus, the fare had ever been most fair aboard the 'Dog, and were it not for the constant labor aboard ship, they might all be portly patrons indeed. Even William had begun to show his share of weight in recent weeks and had silently pledged himself to long walks at Martinique. William noted that Andrew Smyth had returned to service on deck, none the worse for his brush with danger. His mouth was swollen above and below, and he rubbed his jaw tenderly from time to time. He passed William on the gun deck and the Captain interrupted his salute with a comment. "Better to lose one tooth to accident than all of them to scurvy, Mister Smyth." Andrew wasn't in a smiling mood, but William being the Captain, he tried to smile just the same. It was quickly reduced to a grimace of pain and William nodded understandably. "That will do, Mister Smyth. Take a quarter hour's rest in the galley and ask Mister Gage to serve you an extra rum ration to nurse the pain." "Thank you, Sah." he said with another effort, and it came out sounding like 'Fahnk Yuh, Saw'. Mister Badger was altering course by this time under the Quartermaster's supervision and William sent for Masters Pew and Franklin to join him at the galley. -LARBOARD WATCH ON DUTY-

Welcome aboard, Longblades. You'll certainly find your share of PA pirates here.

I have a classic and hearty chicken noodle soup. The comfort food of comfort foods. And a long hug.

"Aye Mister Lasseter...." William was suddenly moved to less idle activities, for the restlessness of office is an oft impatient itch, and William weighed the quarterdeck against the rigging. He decided then that his hands might better serve than his hat, and so he passed it to the Quartermaster. "Excuse me, Mister Lasseter. I think I shall go aloft." He smiled, then turned amidships. ""MISS SMITH!" William yelled out, carrying over Mister Badger's orchestration, already heading down from the quarterdeck as he called for her. She crossed at once, passing between the milling sailors headed aloft, and he passed his coat and baldric to her so suddenly that she almost dropped the cutlass. He jumped up to the lower shrouds by way of the eight pounder, Charity, and there he joined James Whiting, who was also ascending the ratlines on the starboard side. They added themselves to the marines, lookouts, cooks, gunners and able seamen already at work. The best of them was buffeted by canvas and element, and the wind tried once, twice, then three times to brush them away, but to no avail. Quick hands made short work of loose lashings and thumping sailcloth. Down below, Mister Badger was yelling at three gawkers that had only just arrived on deck. "BAGPIPE THE MIZZEN, IF YOU PLEASE!"

That, sir, is a very good idea. I'm kicking myself a little. I will certainly consider that for further projects.

Andrew Smyth was almost carried off the mast when the slack in the sail caused a clew to strike him full in the mouth. It dislodged a tooth, and so sudden was the pain and surprise, that Andrew let go the line and slipped sideways on one pivoting foot. His other leg and flailing arm went wide at once. It was then that Owen Monahan did his first real service in days. He reached out and slapped Andrew so heartily against the back that it shoved him hard against the yard and left a red mark that would bruise later. Surprisingly, Andrew was silent almost all the while. It was Owen that spit out his share of curses, calling Andrew a 'God damned fool of cur" and he wasted no time in following this up with a string of accusations which ranged from Andrew's questionable birth to his preference for animal company. Andrew turned to Owen with a face that was white as a sheet, and for a moment he looked far more concerned with Owen's vehement outburst, than he had at his own near plummet. "Stay your hands!" Owen added as a final retort, having never stopped working except to save Andrew's life.

These are of course some very good arguements. I must admit that the idea has crossed my mind, and Hurricane has presented an idea which is both lucrative and practical on the surface, but a few logistical issues remain. The Draughts are printed on a press, and to get a decent cost one generally has to print quantities starting with higher numbers. To do 50 or less prints is costly and some presses won't even consider doing a print job unless they can start with a larger amount. Not that a small crew couldn't do larger quantities to give away. That is very doable and it would make a fine gift or giveaway item for a crew of re-enactors. A generic ship is also very plausible. I could do a generic one and sell it again and again with small alterations, but even then, some considerations remain, especially with this ship design and others. First, there is the question of cannon names. You wouldn't want the same cannon names and small boat names as another ship. At least I wouldn't. These Draughts have the names of the cannons as they were named by the crew members and gunnery crews. The small boats are also named. There is the quantity of cannons and small boats. Cannon weights would vary from ship to ship. A sack ship or merchant ship would carry fewer cannons, but a war ship might carry so many that there would be few if any after cabins. The Watch Dog carries three small boats. Some ships only carry one or two. You also have to change the figurehead. You shouldn't have a boat called the mermaid or the Italian Queen or what have you, yet still have a dog for a figurehead. Figureheads are always unique. Then there is the time period. If your crew is playing 1670's, this boat doesn't exist yet. If you are playing napoleonic, this boat is too old. Boat design is very specific to time. Prior to the 1700s boat design evolved very slowly, but design always changes. Improvements are always being made to hull shape, materials, rigging, etc. Then there is the customization of every ship. The stern is always decorated differently. No two sterns are alike. The art, sculpture, windows, and lanterns are always unique. This also applies to deck layouts, interior spacing and the position and number of cannons. The Watch Dog is unique in that its surgery has its own compartment and it doesn't share the berth deck. This is not a common design. The surgery was generally below the main deck. The Watch Dog also has a secreted gunnery compartment under the Ward Room. Again, not a common design element. It represents a ship that has been modified to the needs of a specific crew. This might all sound too academic, and logistics aside, I would be remiss if I didn't admit that I don't like the idea of slapping a new name on the very boat on which I am Captain. A Captain is always very guarded about his own floating home away from home, and so much about this draught would have to be changed, i.e. the ensign, pennants, after cabins, cannon names, small boat names, dockyard, designer, year of construction, launch date, stern, lanterns, etc., that starting over might just better serve both me and those seeking a boat of their own. I must also admit that in my efforts to make the Watch Dog, I wanted to make it as unique as all ships are. Many of them look alike, at a distance, but they are each very different and I want the crews who may someday commission me, to want their very own ship. One which they can say is indeed a one of a kind. Yet..I do plan to do a generic ship. I've always planned to do something more generic. Once I have finished the English Cutter and the Bermuda Sloop I am going to do a Spanish Galleon and then a Dutch Return Ship. These will probably be generic enough to make small alterations for custom crews. You are all more than welcome to throw your various ship wants and wishes my way. I could simultaneously design several specific ship types at once. Thank you for any suggestion and compliments. And for those of you looking for international rates, I shall shortly modify my first post on this thread to include paypal information and international shipping rates. -W.B.

There you go, Siren. Classic Steak au Poivre.

I am sorry to hear it, Siren. You need some greens. Have some Chicken Salad while I make you a nice steak...

July 22, 1704 - Aboard the Watch Dog Fourth bell of Second Dog Watch First Watch begins The Quartermaster returned to find the Captain watching the crew with a surveying eye. He joined him there and the two of them stood forward on the quarterdeck, each of them making observations about the crew as they worked. "Pascal seems no worse for the accident." William yelled over a particularly hard gush of wind. "Aye." Dorian yelled back. "And Mooney looks much improved." Mister Badger was moving about below them, his eyes turned ever upward into the rigging calling up an adjustment here and an adjustment there. He demonstrated excellent skill in the fine tuning of canvas and it belied some previous experience. No doubt he had served on much larger boats than the 'Dog, for he seemed at ease in the changes he made. "A good man in a poor wind." the Captain observed. They nodded together like twin judges from one elevated platform, passing judgment on each effort and able seaman. There was little to find fault with, for Paul Mooney labored hard despite recent troubles and Pascal was as much aloft as he had ever been. Even the Ship's Tailor bid Mister Badger give her some errand or duty, and he sent her away with light work. "This will be a fine wind when we can make use of it, Mister Lasseter." "Aye, bless th' new canvas." They both watched the flapping sails for time. The yards, stays and shrouds were being put through their paces. Mister Badger joined them a moment, looking both tired and thrilled from his work and Mister Lasseter plied him with one of his common questions. "What news, Mister Badger?" "Sah, I'll like this wind better tomorrow." he said, resigned to the wind as it was now. "But they make fine sailcloth at Margarita." "Aye." Dorian agreed. "Fruit of the Danzig, Mister Badger. We shall have to rescue another merchant in half a year's time." And before more could be said than 'Aye', the Bosun was swept down to the deck by necessity as the Larboard Watch replaced the Starboard, ready to answer his every alteration. -LARBOARD WATCH ON DUTY-

Flattery will only get you dessert. Tonight we are serving a scurvy fighting cake with Lemon zest.

"Mister Lasseter." "Cap'n." William borrowed the glass from the Quartermaster and scanned from horizon to horizon, but the sea was an open page in an otherwise blank book. Whatever history might be written today, it wouldn't be written here. Oh, some notation might be managed, copied down in degrees and knots, but it was to be a working night. Busy, but uneventful. "We may 'ave to pair th' watches, Cap'n." "Aye." William agreed. "But have Mister Badger hold out as long as he can with a single watch."

Tudor entered the Ward Room with a kettle of hot water she had fetched from the galley. She filled a wide basin on the table there, careful not to overfill the vessel, for the Watch Dog was listing against a westerly current and an increasing attack from the trade winds. Then she began laying out the Captain's clothes. She placed his hat and coat across the great chair at the head of the table and set out his cutlass and baldric, which he had worn often of late. She was careful not to disturb him, but as the gentle rolling of the frigate gave over to a heave and pitch, he was awoken anyway. He slipped from his hammock in his shirt and slops, running his fingers through a cockscomb of hair that stood up on the crown of his head, smoothing it back again. He padded barefoot into the Ward Room, surprised and pleased to find hot water waiting for him. He was also pleased to see how well the Ship's Steward looked this evening and he said so. "Thank you, Captain." "Hot water..." he said, and his tone was many things. "...the luxury of busy galley." "Mister Lasseter has inquired after your arrival on deck. Shall I tell him you will arrive presently, Captain?" "Aye." he said, rocking with the boat as it pitched again to starboard. "The tradewinds...?" "I believe so, Captain. Mister Badger has the watch very busy on deck." "Thank you, Miss Smith. Inform the Quartermaster that I will be up momentarily." She went out and William fetched a mirror and razor. Shaving proved difficult while Mister Badger wrangled the wind above, and the Ward Room cantered in all direction in long sways, but William still managed a decent shave. He bathed and toweled off a face already frowning with many thoughts and accessed himself in the mirror a moment. Then he dressed and climbed the aft companionway to the quarterdeck. July 22, 1704 - The Ward Room of the Watch Dog Third bell of Second Dog Watch - STARBOARD WATCH ON DUTY -

Welcome aboard, Kate.

Welcome aboard, Mate. Best of luck in your search for a ship.

Today's specials are... ...Bacon wrapped jalapenos in a cheese sauce... ...Grilled Potato Planks with Guacamole... ...and Peppered Salmon with Whisky Cream Sauce.

Draughts are an art of investigation and illumination, culminating over many hours and weeks. The Watch Dog required me to delve through period materials, photographs of replica boats, and of course, in the end, the painstaking process of rendering the ship as faithfully as possible. I have begun work on two other boats already, and I plan to do more, but a custom boat is slightly different. With any custom work one has to pander to the exacting details and wishes of the client. You would have to know a lot of information about your boat, or learn along the way. You would need to know the rough year in which she was built, the keel dates, type of boat, cannon weights and names, rigging style, previous name if any, shipyard, etc. The numerous hours involved would make a custom ship a pricey project. Probably upwards of a few grand.

A mascarpone with orange and sugar cooked with walnut paste. Delicious.

A little something for you two while you discuss the business of the day. Risotto with Leeks and Bacon... And some Baked pears with wine and walnut cream.

Thank you very much for the compliments. I am already engaged on teo more deckplans. One for an English Cutter and another for a Bermuda Sloop. I also plan to do a Dutch return ship and a galleon soon. As for overseas shipping, I will investigate all of the overseas shipping costs and prove a paypal account for overseas customers when I gather all of the information tomorrow. Thank you for the interest.