William Brand

I think people were fired after the Vasa. People most certainly were fired. A ship is a machine of so many variables. Having poured over my share of draughts over the years I have learned just how vulnerable a ship is to leaks. There are simply too many pieces all pinned together. The keel alone is made up of so many separate parts, that the failure of any one piece can cause cascading problems throughout the whole ship. The swelling and contracting of wood on a ship creates exponential issues once weight and wear become factors at sea. Take for instance the Batavia that was said to carry 180 feet of Scandinavian pine for her mainmast. That's over 15 tons of wood resting on the keel. Pick the wrong piece of wood for the mast step and 'so long, ship'. When you begin to consider the sheer numbers involved and the many different tangible forces working for, with and against a ship, travel by sea becomes quite a gamble. Insurance brokers in Europe certainly thought so. It's ever so important to know the shipwright before and a good carpenter ever after. This is why it's important for re-enactors to know that they can't feasibly play a crew of 1710, sailing a ship of 1650. You don't brave the sea in an antique. You trade up and you trade often.

Aye. They preyed on Spanish wagon trains and their grog was watered down a bit...having been only...water.

Well, in the event that you want to be pickled or brined, there is a copper tub in Christine's old room.

I'll send a lad to fetch a suitable reed to act as straw and we'll lay down a bale or two to catch you once you've finished your drink.

I know, I know. I'm an anomaly, but it can't hurt to ask from time to time.

Raise a glass!

Upon request.

The list shows some 27 people if Jon and Paula attend.

Something French with fruit?

Great new looks for all. I'm jonesin' for a new weskit.

I love and hate that show. I want one of these...

Happy Birthday!

Oh that is very fine! Very fine indeed. Anytime you want a file cleaned up, just let me know. It's worth the finished product. You saved me a little foray into ligature.

I'll ask about the 300 pounds of cookware.

Anything that adds 'ambiance' would be appreciated. We could use a little more set dressing. Anything that makes us look as though we're shipping stuff up and down the river.

Very nice. Very nice indeed. We can sit about the fire and talk about trade from Jodda to Joffa.

Aye, just ask for the Mercury Crew and you should get in for free. And the menu, from Janet and John. "FORTE DECHARTES FOOD MENU & OPERATIONS The Crew now has a Food Prep Tent. The idea came when we went to St Augustine. This set up worked extremely well and kept the coolers, non period utensils etc out of sight and out of our sleeping tents. This is a common food prep tent meaning it will be used by all. You will be able to put your coolers, food and anything else you need to inside. There will be a food prep table inside as well. This year there will be plenty of bottled water. Too many people last year got sick drinking the water that was available. We will keep the coolers iced so that you have plenty of cold, clean water. Since most people are arriving Friday and setting up, the first provided meal will be Friday night and the last meal is Sunday Noon. Along with the meals there will be a grazing table that will have snacks throughout the day. Here is what will be provided and if you want to contribute anything else please feel free. One goal we have is to have the eating area a place we can all meet and eat together and bond but I am going to leave it to William Pace to figure out how to make that happen. We are a community of pirates, a family. See you there! Snacks & Drinks Bottled Water Soda (Please bring your favorite soda drink) Coffee Jerky Apples Cheese Cookies (Any donations are welcome) Assorted Nuts Bread Meals Friday Night: Beef Burgundy Mashed Potatoes Green Beans Biscuits & Butter Saturday Breakfast: Eggs/Bacon Coffee Juice Biscuits & Jam Saturday Lunch: Turkey provided by Connie and Silas Corn Noodle Casserole Saturday Night: Mexican Beef Corn Bread Sunday Breakfast: Scotch Eggs provided by Carl Oatmeal Coffee Sunday Lunch: Chuck Wagon Beans -CaptJ"

You used Evil and Bacon in the same sentence. Blasphemy.

A good story, which bears repeating... Once upon a time, there was blood in the water.

Don't thank me. Thank our intrepid friend for finding them. It's a good document of the times. The wording is fairly simple and straight forward for a legal document. I typed up a blank version. (Name of Primary Witness) of the Parish of (Name of Parish) in the (Designation of Area - Example: County, Shire, etc) of (Name of Area) maketh Oath, That (Name of Person or Persons being buried) of the Parish of (Name of Parish and 'abovesaid' if the same) lately Deceased, was not put in, wrapt or wound up, or buried in any Shirt, Shift, Sheet, or Shroud made or mingled with Flax, Hemp, Silk, Hair, Gold, or Silver, or other than what is made of Sheeps Wooll only, nor in any Coffin lined or faced with any Cloth, Stuff, or any other things whatsoever made or mingled with Flax, Hemp, Silk, Hair, Gold, or Silver, or any other Material contrary to the late Act of Parliament for Burying in Woollen, but Sheeps Wooll only. Dated the (Numerical day of the Month) Day of (Name of Month) in the (Year of Reign) Year of the Reign of our Sovereign (Name of Sovereign) by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, (King or Queen) Defender of the Faith, &c. And in the Year of our Lord God 17 (Year) Seated and Subscribed by us who were present and Witnesses to the Swearing of the above- said Affidavit. (Place for additional Witnesses) I (Name of Certifying Witness, Title, Occupation, Place of Origin, etc. as the Witness may see fit) do hereby Certify, That the Day and Year abovesaid, the said (Name of Primary Witness) came before me, and made such Affidavit as is above-mention'd, according to the said late Act of Parliament, intituled, And Act for Burying in Woollen. Wit- ness my Hand the Day and Year above-written. Printed for P. Barret Stationer, over-against Chancery-Lane in Fleetstreet.

Yay!

A little late dinner of blackened shark. Now for a story or two about sharks by the fire.

Niiice. I look forward to that addition.

Fantastic. I already snagged it and took out most of the glass glare and oriented it. Some details...

Glad to see the forge up again. What will you take for a good striker?