William Brand

March 10 - 

On this day in 241 BC, the Romans sank the Carthaginian fleet bringing the First Punic War to an end at the Battle of the Aegates.

Also on this day in 1496, after establishing the city of Santo Domingo, Christopher Columbus departed for Spain, leaving his brother in command.

And on this day in 1535, Spaniard Fray Tomás de Berlanga, the fourth Bishop of Panama, discovered the Galápagos Islands by chance on his way to Peru.

March 9 -

On this day in 1500, the fleet of Pedro Álvares Cabral left Lisbon for the Indies. The fleet discovered Brazil which lay within the boundaries granted to Portugal in the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494.

On the day in 1841, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the United States v. The Amistad case that captive Africans who had seized control of the ship carrying them had been taken into slavery illegally.

If you haven't seen the movie, this would be a good day to watch.

On 3/3/2023 at 11:53 AM, William Brand said:

Also, some fine lanterns by Rob Gorrell.

https://www.robgorrell.com
 

I received it a few days ago and it is very well made.  I haven't had a proper lantern in years and it's nice to check this bit of kit off of the list.  

From Cran Ohlandt's 'Merchant Seaman's Effects' album...

March 6 - 

On this day in 1697 the House of Commons passed an act with a retroactive starting date that, "Any wrought Plate of any sort or kind whatsoever" with the mark of the Hall of Goldsmiths in London (thus verifying its purity as sterling) could be brought to the mint between January 1, 1696/7 and November 4, 1697 where it would be purchased at 64d (5s4d) per troy ounce. The earlier stipulation on when the plate had been produced was dropped. If the silver did not have a goldsmith's mark the individual could accept an offer made by the mint or request an assay. As the mint was now accepting hammered English coins there was no need for stipulations that would exclude coinage. However, to prevent newly minted milled English coins, which were issued at 62d per troy ounce, from being melted down into plate for the 2d per ounce profit, it was stipulated all wrought plate produced after March 25, 1697 was to be above the sterling standard (which was 11 oz. 2 dwt.) at 11 oz. 10 dwt. of fine silver per troy pound (8&9 Guilielmi III cap. 8, Statutes vol. 7, p. 196). It is quite likely several eight reales were melted by goldsmiths into sterling silver to be traded at the mint as this would represent the highest rate offered in England for the eight reales, at 64d (5s4d) per ounce, or 1d per 7.5 grains, at this rate a full weight eight reales of 420 grains would be valued at 56d (4s8d). Of course, this valuation was only for a short period.

Also on this day in 1700, there was an Irish Proclamation promising a pardon and a reward for persons who caused any pirate ship or vessel, its commanders or its crew to be seized.

I wish more ships slated for the scrap heap could be preserved this way...

The Cutty Sark preserved at the Royal Museum Greenwich.

March 3 - 

Not piratey, but...

On this day in 1776, the first amphibious landing of the United States Marine Corps began the Battle of Nassau during the American Revolutionary War.

Also, some fine lanterns by Rob Gorrell.

https://www.robgorrell.com
 

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.

2 hours ago, madPete said:

This is what I did for my travel tent.  I found some 1-1/4 canopy connectors and cut down some 1-1/4 Dowels to fit in my duffel (about 30 inches long. Then I smeared glue all over the connectors and wrapped a length of twine around the connector. These go inside my tent so they aren't obvious, but at least I have poles for my tent...

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.

On 2/21/2023 at 11:13 PM, Mary Diamond said:

You have such a gift…

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.  

51 minutes ago, Mission said:

No. You can barely find anything in the period accounts about the cook or his stewards, let alone something with that amount of detail. 

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

On 2/11/2023 at 9:39 AM, Stynky Tudor said:

William has reached out to his last known email, I don't think he has heard anything back.

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

On 11/29/2014 at 6:04 PM, Mission said:

Very nice. 🙂

I never said, 'thank you'.

Thank you.