MadMike

Hurricanes during GOAP Offshore Barbados 27 Sep 1694 >1000 S Bahamas, Straits of FL 30 Jul 1715 (>1000-<2500),>1000,1000 Offshore Martinique Oct 1695 >600 Southwest Caribbean Sea 1708 578 Offshore Puerto Rico 1720 >500 Florida east coast 1683 496 Jamaica 8 Sep 1712 >400 Jamaica, Cayman Islands 8-9 Sep 1722 400 Hispaniola 12 Sep 1724 121 Jamaica 1692 >100 Martinique 4-5 Sep 1713 100 Charleston (SC) 14 Sep 1700 98 South Carolina 16-17 Sep 1713 70 Martinique 3 Aug 1680 "During a violent hurricane...over twenty large French ships and two English ships were totally lost in Cul-de-Sac Bay and the loss of life was great." Aug 1680 "submerged...many vessels...(including) twenty-five ships of France...causing the death of most"; several Spanish ships lost as well. W Carib. Sea 1681 "loss of lives...considerable" from several ships Nevis 1689 "A dreadful mortality swept away one-half of the inhabitants of Nevis. FL Keys 4 Oct 1695 offshore loss of 933 ton warship NW Cuba 1696 "An unidentified navio was wrecked at Playa de Sabarimar, 7 leagues east of Havana, in 35 feet of water, during a storm..." Virginia, Oct 1703 "several (vessels) driven to sea, and no more heard of." Havana (CU) 1705 4 men of war, "with most of their crews, were lost" US E coast 6 Nov 1706 14 ships foundered and "others were given up for lost." Jamaica 1712 "New colonists and old pirates and seamen were drowned in hurricane waves and river floods. Many others were killed in the wreckage of English houses built of flimsy boards." Near Havana (Cu) 1712 "drowned men" Florida Keys late Jun 1714 "many of his ships...sank...and many men got somehow to land....many men and women floated dead." Cuba Sep 1714 frigate San Juan lost Louisiana 12-13 Sep 1722 "During a hurricane...a large number of unidentified ships were sunk at and near New Orleans." Jamaica 2 Nov 1726 "Many lives lost with at least 18 at sea." NC 13 Aug 1728 All of crew lost from ship sunk off Okracoke Island; "only a few survivors" --no date "Many ships were lost, one as far north as few miles off Ocracoke." Jamaica 1 Sep 1730 ship of war (carrying ex-President of Panama) lost Caribbean Sea 1730 Nuestra Senora del Carmen "went down in a hurricane south of Jamaica" (Source- National Hurricane Center). Say some prayers for our brethren along the Gulf Coast with the approach of Hurricane Katrina. Yours, &c. Mike Pirates of Massacre Island http://www.geocities.com/flpyrate/index.html

That's awesome, Captain Jim! I noticed the name but didn't pay any close attention to it. Perhaps there's more to POTC than we realize?!? Yours, &c. Mike

How about trying this- Subsist on a period diet for the duration. Have a "churgeon" on board to bleed you when fealing ill. Practice period sanitation methods (not recommened during daylight or when the public is visiting, but hey, if it's realism they want...). I once canoed the Missouri for about eighty miles in the White Cliffs area over the span of two and a half days. We carried a five gallon jug of water, the rest of our gear, clothing, and weapons was period (well, we had to have PFD's aboard also). I gotta tell ya, after a few days of biscuit, parched corn, and jerky it get's real old. Thankfully the mosquito's weren't too bad, but we did have one angry beaver stalk us late at night for setting up near it's lodge. Met up with some other primitive trekkers, overall was a great trip. Yours, &c. Mike

Foxe, I'd like to add the following- when did the name "Black Bart" (Bartholomew Roberts) first appear? As for the Whydah flag, it is described in Cordingly's book "Under the Black Flag" with the following- 'During the trial of the pirates from Sam Bellamy's crew, reference is made to the confession of Thomas Baker, who was examined on May 6, 1717. Baker said that Bellamy's men "spread a large black flag, with a death's head and bones across and gave chase to Captain Prince under the same colours" (page 118). Does anyone have pictures from the oft-referenced French flag book of 1721 purportedly showing pirate flags? Yours, &c. Mike

I received my order of books from DeadMenTellNoTales.com today, which is comprised of the following titles- "A General History of the Pyrates" volumes 1 and 2. Much better than reading it online. "Captured by Pirates"- not for the squeamish. "The Buccaneers of America" by Exquemelin. 1684 edition. Yours, &c. Mike Pirates of Massacre Island http://www.geocities.com/flpyrate/index.html

Hey Delmar, Been to the National Atomic Museum yet? I used to work on many of them puppies... Yours, &c. Mike

Here's a good place to review- http://www.capecodgravestones.com/styles.html Take a look in the section "Grim Winged Skulls from the early 1700's" Yours, &c. Mike

Foxe, I looked through a flag book recently and was amazed at the 17th and 18 century hand painted unit insignia, coats of arms, etc., on British and French flags, simply amazing. I have a book on the War of 1812 by Rene Chartrand which also shows hand painted ensigns. It's really unfortunate we don't have a Caribbean GAoP flag. I used oil based paint on my flag, hand painting it in. The design shows through the other side of the cloth so working it is no problem (just time consuming). Used two coats, flies great in a breeze. Just located some black silk, so my next expenditure will be to hand make a Bartholomew Roberts flag. Yours, &c. Mike

Foxe, And now my favorite topic of discussion... what materials were used for these flags? We know that some pirates used silk, but were the devices painted on or sewn on? Many 17th and early 18th century flags were painted, but we have one 1840's pirate flag which was sewn on (with what appears to be a partially painted skull and crossbones highlighting certain features). I painted a black cotton fabric 3'x5' flag with Edward Englands motif, came out pretty well. One should imagine that it wouldn't take too long for a pirate crew to hand sew devices on their flag. Then again, it's just as easy to paint it (better than using a dirty tarpaulin!). Yours, &c. Mike

Obtained the Simplicity pattern, will have to modify it to resemble the 1700 era coat pattern from "The Costumers Manifesto" website. I don't plan on adding "interfacing", only backlining for the coat since I'm in a tropical climate. Picked up some nice 100 percent grey wool from Joann's for about $6.99 a yard. There are a lot of steps that can be deleted or modified in the instructions. Will have to order the buttons. So, in a few weeks will post a photo of a completed hand sewn coat (say by September 15th?). Yours, &c. Mike

Blackjohn, Just located a better picture of the Church sword which does in fact show a difference from the cutlass offered by DeadMenTellNoTales.com- http://www.snowshoemen.com/Gear/photos/photo_42.html The picture I saw in Peterson's book was a profile shot, which made it look similar to the cutlass. Yours, &c. Mike

The "Classic Pirate Cutlass" offered by several distributors is according to Peterson's "Arms and Armor in Colonial America" a copy of that used by Captain Benjamin Church and dates from 1675-78 (p. 81). I've seen the same style pictured in "Swords and Blades of the American Revolution", dated 1770-1800 (page 187). http://www.deadmentellnotales.com/page/DM/...M/PROD/S7/CPCut It's a well made piece. I used steel wool to take off the "antique" finish. Yours, &c. Mike

MJ, I'm assuming you plan to reenact a French buccaneer, as opposed to English? The French on Hispaniola (let's say, the 1620 to 1700 time frame) wore a variety of clothing. Since you'd like to use some equipment for the later longhunter (F&I period?) let's take a look at some similar goods- Headgear- a "Rogers Rangers" style cap seen in period prints, Patrick Hand made one from a felt hat (trimmed to shape). From what we see in period pic's the French buccaneers also went bareheaded, one individual wore a "Mark Baker" style cap (to use a better term) or thrum cap, while others wear caps with short brims. At least three individuals in the background are wearing cocked hats (print "Les Boucaniers ou Filibustiers"). Shirts- hard to tell, but may be period style shirts worn under a smock (in every respect like a longhunter). Coats, jackets, etc- Appear to be period style, either sailors jackets or smocks (difficult to tell in the picture). Source is "Saxenbourg decouverte par Guillaume Schellinger l'an 1669". Shoes- difficult to make out in the prints, appear to be like a mocassin but likely French style shoes, boots, or Caribbean style footwear peculiar to the French buccaneer. Pants- Could be buckskin (as per Pere Labat), but also could be French style cloth trousers, seaman's trousers, breeches, etc (French fly). Doesn't appear to be any "leggins", could they be mitasses? Weapons- all appear to have club butt muskets (most likely fusil de boucanier). Then again, there were numerous types of weapons available from matchlocks to doglocks. Check out "The Rifle Shoppe" website for period arms. The "Saxenbourg" print shows a buccaneer in some detail, with a triangular container holding what appears to be three large knives at his side. Don't see any bandoliers of chargers (not "apostles") in the prints, nor any powder horns. I see one pouch, and a long knife or pistol slung through a sash. Personally, I don't see any problem using a French or English fowler as long as it's obviously not from the F&I period. Interesting subject, don't see many French buccaneer reenactors around, maybe we can start a new area of interest? Had several buccaneer raids to the east of here in 1683 and '87. Swords- don't see any in the prints, but they obviously had and used edged weapons. Yours, &C. Mike Pirates of Massacre Island http://www.geocities.com/flpyrate/index.html

MJ, Have you read "The Buccaneers of America"? It's available here- http://home.wanadoo.nl/m.bruyneel/archive/...boa/tboa002.htm Yours, &c. Mike

Patrick, I left the snapsack cords a little long, that way after cinching up the bag I loop the cords around the opening to close it tight (my bag is made of canvas cloth however). Foxe, I e-mailed the originator of the pic for some info on the artist and year it was produced. Looks like it was scanned from a map cartouche or a print from a book (thought is was Albrecht Durer at first, way too early though). Yours, &c. Mike Pirates of Massacre Island http://www.geocities.com/flpyrate/index.html

Hope the weapons are all period! I've always used 100 percent cotton cloth in about a two inch square patch (for pistols and rifles). After loading a powder charge, the patch was placed in the mouth as a "spit patch" just soaking it (not drenched with saliva). This will prevent the patch from smoldering and catching fire. I've left them in the bore for 15-20 minutes with only minor effects on the powder (being hygroscopic). Larger bore, larger patch. Never point a firearm at anyone, even with a blank. Yours, &c. Mike

Here's the pic referred to- I think Patrick's in there somewhere... Yours, Mike

Francois, Can you send me the info on the tailor? Yours, &C. Mike

I once had to age a hunting frock since my portrayal was based during a specific historical setting. Went outside when it was raining and crawled around in the wet soil for a bit. Came out quite nice! Depending on what type of soil you have around, rub it in selective spots for aging. Better yet, try some yardwork (although green grass stains may not work). I've heard that the movie industry uses peat moss or potting soil for aging effects. Once ate some greasy fried chicken and wore my buckskins, they make a good napkin. Other garments were "aged" naturally on primitive treks (good heavens, ever sit by a fire for three days?). The stench was horrific, had to shower twice and my clothes reeked so bad from smoke and sweat I could smell them across the room. Hand washed with castile soap to remove most of the stains. Yours, &c. Mike

I previously posted an image in "The Pirate Brethren" files of "filibustiers" with what appears to be snapsacks (or blanket rolls) across their chests. Don't know the origin of the picture, but's it's noteworthy since the pirates have a skull and crossbones flag with blood dripping from it. Will do some research to find if it's period or not. Patrick, excellent job on the buccaneer outfit! Yours, &c. Mike

Too bad they couldn't produce a TV reality program for us pirate reenactors with all sorts of period challenges (like hand sewing clothing, navigation on the open sea, evading capture, etc). "Survivor" was a joke, never watched it again after the first episode. I roughed it more as a boy scout and during primitive excursions on the Missouri river. You'd think the world was coming to an end after watching MTV's "1970's House". However, after watching "Going Tribal" last night on the Discovery Channel (West Papua), think I'll stick to 18th century piracy. Yours, Mike Pirates of Massacre Island http://www.geocities.com/flpyrate/index.html

Cliffords "Expedition Whydah" ISBN 0-06-01923291 has drawings of many artifacts recovered from the wreck. The buttons illustrated on page 176 are quite fancy (they include brass buttons and silver collar studs). Thirty-five were recovered from the wreck, according to the archaelogical manifest in "The Pirate Prince" (also by Clifford). The best I can describe one type of button is a fancy filigree, something similar is pictured on page 50 in the September 1990 National Geographic ("Track of the Manila Galleons, Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion"). It bears some resemblance to those those pictured in the "Ornately Embellished Stud-Shanked Buttons" section listed here- http://www.artifacts.org/Mission.htm Yours, &c. Mike

Found some button sizes on at least one 1687 era coat- http://www.kipar.org/military-history/kirk...orms_style.html "The outer shell was made of scarlet broadcloth, lined with sea-green baize (a coarse felt-like wool) or serge (a sturdy woollen twill), and cut from four panels. It was a rather straight, loose kneelength cut with little definition at the waist. The sleeves were turned backed to reveal the lining. The coats had pewter buttons from neck to hem, but were commonly unbuttoned below the waist for ease of movement on the march and in the field. Buttons should be about 5/8 - 3/4" (15-18mm) in diameter, at least 24 down the front, 7 on the rear vent, 5 on each sleeve, and 5 on each pocket. " Speaking of Whydah buttons, am running to the library now... Yours, &c. Mike

This may be an item of interest for those doing a buccaneer impression or inland raider- http://www.southernrangers.org/snapsack.htm It's much easier to put together than the instructions make it out to be. I hand sewed one up in about six hours last night. Used heavy canvas from Wal Mart and a length of cotton webbing from JoAnn fabrics. The snapsack was used in the English Civil War period, albeit made of hide- http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/histor...e/snapsacks.htm There is a 1672 dated picture in Angus Kostam's "Pirates, Terror on the High Seas (Osprey)" showing a soldier wearing either a snapsack or blanket roll (page 87). Exquemelin's "Buccaneers of America" mentions "knapsacks" in several places. Yours, &c. Mike

You can shape any wool (or rabbit hair/wool, beaver, etc) hat to shape over a kettle of boiling water. I used a large coffee can to get the correct "flat top" shape for my cocked hat. The Najecki site offers the following for hat stiffening (I personally haven't tried it yet)- "Hat Stiffening If your existing hat is becoming a bit droopy it can be renewed by: · Let the brims down and brush out the loose dirt from the felt. · Make a mixture of 1 part shellac (white or orange 3 lb cut) to 2 parts denatured alcohol. · Liberally brush the mixture to one side of the felt. It should quickly absorb into the felt · and not lay on the surface. Allow to dry thoroughly (about 8 hours). · Repeat to other side of felt. Apply additional coats if desired." Yours, &c. Mike