William Brand

And with the event in sight we lose the first handfuls of people due to work, finances, schedules, etc., but our numbers are still up!

This is one of the most common ways that men and women alike carried money in the 17th and 18th centuries. These little knit coin purses were so common that the term 'cut purse' dates all the way back to the mid 14th century. Have knife, will profit.

Video update on the rescue showing survivors. http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2012/1029/The-story-behind-the-HMS-Bounty-sunk-by-Sandy-off-N.C.-coast-video

This is from Wikipedia, but I know I've read it elsewhere before. "In London, the lead roofing was blown off Westminster Abbey and Queen Anne had to shelter in a cellar at St. James's Palace to avoid collapsing chimneys and part of the roof. There was extensive and prolonged flooding in the West Country, particularly around Bristol. Hundreds of people drowned in flooding on the Somerset Levels, along with thousands of sheep and cattle, and one ship was found 15 miles inland.[4] At Wells, Bishop Richard Kidder was killed when two chimneystacks in the palace fell on the bishop and his wife, asleep in bed. This same storm blew in part of the great west window in Wells Cathedral. Major damage occurred to the south-west tower of Llandaff Cathedral at Cardiff."

In many instances people simply took shelter in their homes, but there are accounts of individuals fleeing their houses during the storm of 1703 only to be killed by flying debris. They felt that their homes were unsafe and thought it better to be out of doors. Many accounts that I've read of the damages ashore indicate that private residences, commercial structures, churches and civic buildings were all damaged in like manner, so death in that particular storm was subjective and random. A lot of early communities in the colonies had root cellars and other underground earthen works used for cold storage and icehouses. I think anyone smart enough to go to ground would have a good chance of escaping bad storms.

Well, to say I'm excited about my latest acquisition would be an understatement. It's not very portable, but for $10, I can't complain. Time to break out the wood polish.

This is such sad news to wake to. I hope that everyone is found safe and alive.

We hang about your tent, because you present such a hospitable camp and supply a generous table.

It would make a beautiful addition to kit, to be sure, but I often wonder if the combination (convenient as it might) makes for an awkward pistol and a clumsy hanger. If anyone would like to buy me one I'll do an extensive 30 year study.

This is why I haven't read it 'thoroughly'. The paper did provide some glossary terms and description I hadn't found anywhere else and confirmed some that I had found.

I say that you baby that truck, though I'd love to see you haul a bunch of Missouri cedar walking sticks.

Adam Cyphers should also be mentioned for his honorable attack on those period slops of his. Authenticity by grit and grime! Nice! That's a great shot of an up and coming re-enactor.

And a few of the Forsaken

Yes, I can't say enough about the Archangel presentation standards. Amazing kit and presentation.

Aye, sunset on December 2nd I believe.

Your kit is perfect for the Fort Taylor event. You should drive down and join us there.

I say this all the time, but if you plan to walk, get yourself a good stick. So many period drawings show sailors carrying a tall walking stick or a cane when ashore for use as a tool and protection. I love the checked shirt and slops.

They pass the muster and set the bar even higher.

I don't know the kit standards for St. Augustine, but I like the look you've gone for. I'm a big fan of the working man's sailor. I fixed the image links.

And some more...

Everyone stopped to stare at the buttons and ask about the overall construction. Even the most devoted Jack Sparrows asked how such a coat could be made, and by whom. Here are some more favorites of mine...

It's not a picture thread without Michael lacing someone up. Jessica and Michael at Fort de Chartres.

You're not kidding. I have a ship's biscuit that's three years old. That thing will break teeth of not soaked in rum or gravy. That biscuit is one of my favorite bits of 'kit' and I love showing it to people. They always look very surprised that such a thing is food.

This is one of my favorite outfits. First, because I 'get it', and second, it's well executed and M.A.D. Dogge puts on the proper pomp and circumstance.

My thanks to Becky Bodily Cousineau for taking this picture of me at the Utah Pirate Festival. Interestingly enough, I had more than one public attendee ask me if 'I was the only historically dressed pirate' at the event. I did not expect to get that question as often as I did, but I was delighted that so much of the public was looking for something more. The coat hanging behind me was a gift from Captain Sterling, and almost every pirate that came through the tent stopped to examine the hand covered buttons and tailoring.