MadMike

Just found some info regarding a chest (although not specifically a seaman's chest) on the LaSalle shipwreck site (Belle) which sank near Matagorda Bay (betwixt Houston and Corpus Christi), Texas in 1686- http://nautarch.tamu.edu/crl/Report5/oldsite/Chest.htm The measurements of the chest are 25.5" long x 13" wide x 13.5" tall. Months ago, I used pic's supplied by Foxe to make a chest; I made two chests, one which measures 26" long x 11" wide x 13" tall- not bad, eh? Yours, &c. Mike

The story is in the Santiago Times, haven't heard anything in the major news networks yet. Will be interesting history if it's true (or even partially so). Yours, &C. Mike

Here are some notes from patterns via the Victoria and Albert Museum- "Coat, c. 1720-7. Heavy fawn silk.Button-holes worked in darker fawn silk to match basket weave buttons. The last eight [on the front], also the back, button holes are false. The deep cuff comes over the elbow and the back seam is open from X. lined silk in a lighter shade" Believe I copied the page from Maclellan's book, can't remember... You can search the V&A collection online here- http://images.vam.ac.uk/ixbin/hixclient.ex...main/index.html Yours, &c. Mike

The soundtrack by The Chieftans was great, really put the movie into it's historical perspective (gawd, hate it when period flicks use modern tunes). I recognized a few of the characters from other series, one appeared in "Sharpes Rifles". Reed (Billy Bones) was so nasty at the end of his existence that I just about left the room (expecting to be covered with his phlem). Indeed, best pirate flick ever! Yours, &c. Mike

Some references- "...and John Rackham, alias Callico Jack, (so called, because his Jackets and Drawers were always made of Callico) Quarter-Master to Vane, was unanimously chosen Captain of the Kingston." (Johnson, History of the Pyrates, vol II). As for "flamboyantly" dressed pirates, I know of only one mention- "Roberts himself made a gallant Figure, at the Time of the Engagement, being dressed in a rich crimson Damask Wastcoat and Breeches, a red Feather in his Hat, a Gold Chain round his Neck, with a Diamond Cross hanging to it," (Johnson, History of the Pyrates, vol I). Can anyone provide similar examples? As to mention of a pegleg and whatnot- "a Fellow with a terrible pair of Whiskers, and a wooden Leg, being stuck round with Pistols, like the Man in the Almanack with Darts, comes swearing and vapouring upon the Quarter-Deck, and asks, in a damning Manner, which was Captain Mackra: The Captain expected no less than that this Fellow would be his Executioner; —— but when he came near him, he took him by the Hand, swearing, Damn him he was glad to see him; and shew me the Man, says he, that offers to hurt Captain Mackra, for I'll stand by him; and so with many Oaths told him, he was an honest Fellow, and that he had formerly fail'd with him." (Johnson, vol I) A good reference for clothing is "Captured by Pirates", not to mention Johnson's volumes. Did I forget to mention Foxe's images? lol I strive to portray a common seaman turned pirate, no fancy garb, although I may deck myself out in the justacorps this Halloween. Yours, &c. Mike Hand sewn coat project progress- finished the bottom hem (finally!). Awaiting button order. Working on pockets and starting buttonholes tonight...

Recently received a copy of "Treasure Island" with Charlton Heston, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The movie, which was released in 1990 under Turner Home Entertainment, is only available in VHS. It was produced by Agamemnon Films in association with British Lion. Information on the movie and cast can be found on IMDB.com- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100813/ The movie is slow at times; it was a made-for-TV flick and not a threatrical release (did I mention it's faithful to the book?). The attention to detail in the clothes is pretty good. These are the nastiest looking pirates I've seen on the tube since POTC. Overall, if you're lucky enough to find a copy, get it while the prices are relatively low. I ordered a used copy through Amazon.com. As for inquiries regarding a DVD, perhaps we should send them here- Turner Broadcasting System One CNN Center Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Phone: 404-827-1700 Yours, &c. Mike

I purchased an iron mounted Dublin Castle Long Land pattern (Bess) from Loyalist Arms that's quite similar to the Bosch musket, but naturally much cheaper (or should I say, less expensive). Sure wish someone would offer a Queen Anne musket on the commercial market; the Loyalist Arms Doglock musket may be a future acquisition. Dublin Castle Bess (1724) http://www.loyalistarms.freeservers.com/1724Bess.html Yours, &C. Mike

A brocaded silk damask is pictured on the V&A website, the caption reads it as dating from 1712-1715 and as part of a woman's petticoat or gown- "Materials & Making The fairly complicated woven structure of this silk is highlighted with brocading. The technique of brocading allowed different colours to be introduced into the pattern of a fabric in specific, sometimes very small areas. It was a more laborious process for the weaver than using patterning wefts running from selvedge to selvedge, but the resulting effect could be much more varied and lively. " GoF can supply more info, his site has some great links to period style silks. Yours, &c. Mike "Silk... what the hell is silk?" "Silk, don't ya know nothing? It's made outta worms..." Charlton Heston and Brian Keith in "The Mountain Men"

I don't remember seeing any references to silk shirts in the books I've read, estate inventories, nor period references, but will take a look again. Silk vests or gentleman's coats, yes, but not shirts... Most gentleman's shirts were made of fine bleached linen with ruffles at the neck and wrists. If I find a reference will let ya know... Yours, &c. Mike

GOF wrote- "Shrunck Grey Kersey Jackett, lined with Red Cotton, with fifteen Brass Buttons, and two Pockets of Linnen, the Button Holes stich’d with Gold Colour Thread, a Strip’d Ticken Waist Coat with Strip’d Ticken Breeches a Shirt of blew and white chequer’d Linnen and Drawers of blew and white chequer’d Linnen a Leather Capps faced with Red Cotton, and lined with Black Linnen Grey Woollen Stockings with Double Sold Shoes, round Toes." Michael the Tailor was offering some of these items, but sadly passed away. I e-mailed his wife, she is working on getting the business back going again. One period notation I recently read stated that a pirate crew was decked out in white shirts. Thanks for bringing up the list again, GoF, looks like I have more sewing projects ahead! Yours, &c. Mike

GoF, Thanks for the head's up, corrected the link. I'm waiting to order buttons, seems some tropical disturbances are interefering with my purchase plans (what else is new in the Gulf of Mexico these days?!?). Kinda sucks having to budget large sums of cash for evacuation purposes... Let's see, I think I began working on the coat the first week of September, do about 3 hours of sewing each night. Screwed up a few times in the process, but hey, like you said, better have it done right then rushing it Think my next project will be a short jacket, let us know how things progress. Yours, &c. Mike

Captain Midnight, Basically I cut out the Simplicity pattern, ignored the instructions (which leave much to be desired IMHO), and used common sense tailoring skills. I added material to the back of the pattern to give it the flare or skirt like appearance of historical specimens and period pictures. GoF has an example here- http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/images/j...orpspattern.jpg The Costumers Manifesto http://www.costumes.org/history/100pages/leloirX1.htm Yours, &c. Mike

GoF, I think there may be some short jacket details in the pictures of Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Also, there are several period pics on Foxe's website. Status of hand sewn coat project- sewed on sleeves and cuffs. Finished hem on front facings of coat (fits nice). To be done- hem bottom of coat (tonight), cut out and sew pocket flaps and pockets. Order brass domed buttons, sew botton holes... See the latest work here- Pirates of Massacre Island http://www.geocities.com/flpyrate/projects.html Yours, &c. Mike

This is one area where we'd want to err on the side of caution. The ATF could consider such an item a "destructive device" if it has the potential to be used as a weapon (potential being the availability or intention of filling it with black powder or having a real fuse). My "grenades" are totally inert, being made of a solid material. I don't see any problem from a safety standpoint using wooden balls (you can buy such items at places like Home Depot). From what I've read, the Whydah grenades were about 3 1/2 inches in diameter with wooden fuse wells. Any info on other artifacts? Yours, &c. Mike

The Simplicity pattern leaves much to be desired, both in layout and method of instruction. Basically I altered the pattern to that of a historical 1700 coat pattern obtained from "The Costumers Manifesto" website. I reviewed period pictures for more specifics on buttons, cuffs, pockets, seam lines, etc (GoF's website has some great stuff, as does Kass McGann's). Unfortunately, all I have at the moment is a digital phone camera of my work in progress and the pics leave much to be desired- http://www.geocities.com/flpyrate/projects.html To be done- sew on sleeves, fit and alter as necessary, order buttons, sew buttonholes (28 or so), hem raw edges, etc. Yours, &c. Mike

GoF, No problem, finished sewing one sleeve last night and the back of the coat the day before. Still have to order buttons, so it won't be complete for about another two weeks. Yours, &c. Mike

Started hand sewing my coat yesterday. Modified the Simplicity pattern with that of a 1700 coat pattern obtained from "The Costumer's Manifesto" website. Gentlemen of Fortune has a great picture spread on a completed coat here- http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/Justaucorps.htm I guestimate it'll take about another week or so, not counting the time spent on sewing the button holes. Material is 100 percent wool suiting, light gray colored (or is that grey coloured?). Inner lining is off white colored muslin. Will try to post pics if possible as I progress. Yours, &c. Mike

Check out the link for early prosthetics- http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results...eys1=Prosthesis Yours, &C. Mike

Russell Crow as Billy Bones... "Me an' Tugger foitin' around the world!" (South Park spoof of Crow). There is a late 1600's picture of buccaneers with a monkey (map cartouche, I believe). The 1934 version of Treasure Island is to be shown on Turner Classic Movies on 15 September at 4:30 PM (Eastern). If you haven't seen it, check it out for the similarity of Newton's accent to Beery's. Personally, I found young Jackie Cooper's whining quite annoying (no wonder the pirates wanted him dead). Otherwise it's an interesting flick. Yours, &c. Mike

Excellent program! Thank ye for the heads up, Captain Jim. Yours, &C. Mike

Either method would be acceptable- Howell Davis- had belt around the waist; could be a sword belt or he could be carrying a cutlass. George Lowther- Broadsword carried by an over the shoulder sash. Blackbeard (drawing 1)- with upraised sword in right hand. Sword belt under coat, wearing cartridge pouch and three brace of pistols around neck. Blackbeard (drawing 2)- hard to tell in the print I have, most likely an over the shoulder belt. Edward England (with pirate carrying gun in background)- likely waistbelt under coat (and over waistcoat) Bonney and Read (from Johnson's "Pyrates")- Over the shoulder carry. Charles Vane- sword in right hand, cartridge box and two brace of pistols around neck, method of sword carry unclear. Avery (with slave carrying umbrella)- waistbelt and scabbard. Avery (with ship in background)- waistbelt and scabbard with two brace of pistols and a pouch. Lot's of period pictures on "The Costumer's Manifesto" website- http://www.costumes.org/history/100pages/leloirX1.htm Personally I prefer waistbelt carry. Has anyone tried to wear a cartridge pouch and belt around the neck?!? Yours, &C. Mike

Bah! Try "Pirates of the Caribbean" and download the Build 12 mod from piratesahoy.net. Significantly improves gameplay a hundredfold and the mod team is working on adding additional islands, ships, and realism options. Yours, &c. Mike

Francois, I'll forgo the bleeding also. Say, think we can start a new diet fad with the "Pyrate Diet"? Yours, &c. Mike

Foxe, You'll be happy to note we can verify one GAoP legend- Foxe wrote- "John Rackham (while we're at it, what's the earliest anyone has got for hi nickname - Calico Jack?)" From "A General History of the Pyrates" by Johnson, edited by Manuel Schonhorn (ISBN 0-486-40488-9)- "John Rackham, alias Callico Jack (so called, because his Jackets and Drawers were always made of Callico) Quartermaster to Vane, was unanimously chosen Captain to the Kingston" Chapter XXVII, Appendix to the First Volume, 1728 (Schonhorn, 620). Yours, &c. Mike

Monterey Jack, Looks interesting, especially given the author's background. Never mess with UDT or a SEAL! Yours, &c. Mike Pirates of Massacre Island http://www.geocities.com/flpyrate/index.html