Mission

Someone at the local paper found out that I do pirate re-enacting and they sent a cool reporter out to interview me. So I just spent an hour and a half with the guy talking about pirate re-enacting, the forum, Stynky, my Patrick Hand original hat and authentic Michael Bagley garb, Red Jessi, Stynky, Grace Thatcher, PiP, Stynky and, of course, Stynky. I even played him my phone message that Stynky left for me at PiP in 2007, which you can re-read here. I told him to quote it verbatim. ("That's Paul. P A U L. Sounds just like a-PALL-ing.") If it actually turns into an article, I'll be sure to post links to it so's you can all be nauseated by my self-aggrandizing. It's a local paper with about ~70k readers, so I think this is my shot at 15 minutes.

Yeah, let's see if Ed pays any attention to it this time. (This is one of his pet peeves, you know.)

I saw this on an eBay auction and thought it was kind of nice. It didn't sell at $685, so you could probably still email the seller and buy it. (If you're made of money, that is.) It looks sort of fancy for a workman's set which makes me wonder if this isn't a show set of some kind. I recall seeing another set of white instruments that was described as being primarily for show. Although bone was one of the materials used to make instruments during period, so it could be a regular set. Neat instruments. Here's the description: "This is a 1700s Dentist Scaling Tool set in leather covered wood case. There are seven, 7, dental scraper tools inside leather box and in exceptional good condition. Tool handles are in "I" or Bone with a beautiful patina. These rare treasures were most often found with travelers in the 1700s to 1800s and often used by dentists of the period. The leather case is lined in red silk and also in very good condition (Small portion of leather is missing on bottom of case). Similar instruments can be found in the Bennion and Wilbur Books on Antique Dental Instruments. These seldom found treasures date from late 1700s and most likely Italy. Each scalar is 3.75” in length. Case size is 4 x 3.5 x .50 inches."

I seem to recall reading that some of this stuff was stored in the spaces in front of the ship below decks that weren't very useful for anything else. (Although I don't remember where I read that, so it may be wrong.)

Cool! Wayland is doing what many of the people on this board would like to be doing.

That's interesting! What is that account from?

I was reading something last year or so about how fatiguing the constant use of the pumps were and how this might make men more susceptible to illness (which might well be a lot of bunk since many of the seaman's jobs were strenuous, although probably none so on-going as this one). Anyhow, this got me all interested in pumps and leaks vis-a-vis my research and so when I find something moving along that heading, I take note of it. So I thought others might enjoy this bit about this under-discussed aspect of seafaring from Nathaniel Boteler[butler]'s Dialogues, first published in 1685. The edition I'm reading was edited by W. G. Perrin and published by the Navy Records Society in 1929. “The one [way to discover leaks] is by the use of an empty earthen pot, the mouth whereof is to be placed upon some piece of board within the hold of the ship whereto any man laying his ear as close as he possibly can, if there be any inlet of water in any part of the hold, or near unto it, it will be audibly heard; and the nearer or farther distant from the very part where the leaking is, the more or less it must needs be heard. So that by removing of the pot and board, to and fro from one place to another, and the application of your ear in all these removes, you shall at last by the conduction of your hearing attain unto the distinct knowledge of the certain part and place where the very leak is. And the same may also be performed by laying the broad end of a trumpet to one’s ear, and setting the other end to all those parts of the ship where any suspicion is that the leak may be, so that by removing it in this manner from place to place, the certain and particular part where the leak is, may at last be found and discovered. Admiral. But being thus discovered how may they best be stopped? Captain. When these leaks chance at sea, they may be stopped either within board or without board. The stopping of them within board, __ especially when the leak is low amongst the ground timbers or hooks, is best performed by sinking down some tallow and coals mixed together and in some cases (when the leak is very great) pieces of raw beef, oatmeal bags, and the like stuff; but if the leak be anything high it is easily and readily stopped by the nailing of a piece of sheet lead upon the place; and if it was made by a shot it is then best done by the driving in of a plug into the hole, the said plug or stopple [of wood] being to be wrapped about with canvas. If the leak to be stopped without board and that it be not over low towards the keel, it may be done by causing the ship to heel to the contrary side, and so to fasten some sheet lead upon the part; if it be found over low to do it this way, the course its to stitch or sew up a piece of a course [footnote 1: it is not clear whether he means the piece should be taken from one of the old courses, or whether he really means ‘coarse’] sail, or (which is better) some remnant of a small netting, into the form of a bag with some long and well opened rope yarns put within it, and then, sinking this bag under the keel, to bring it up as near as may be directly against the place of the leak and there let it lie, that by the indraught of the water the oakum or rope yarn that is within the bag may be sucked into the hole or crack of the leak, and so be stopped, or at the least the water somewhat restrained from so free an entrance as before.” (Boteler, p. 22-3)

I think people who read fictional books and see the faces of the characters may do things like that. I almost never see the faces of the characters in books. They're more like partially developed bundles of thoughts and actions to me (...in well written books. In crappy books, they're more like manikins.) As for fixing oneself in a particular time and place, researching period surgeons has re-enforced the idea that understanding them fully is nigh impossible. We have so little to go on and there were so many environmental factors that are different. So I fall back on my bundles of thoughts and actions theory on fictional characters. (Which is in part why I really don't want to actually try and perform a surgical operation. In a way, it almost seems like an insult to the people who actually dealt with such things to me. I can't even begin to be close to correct in doing it, so, in the words of Kathy Selden, I'd be making "...a lot of dumb show.")

Also agreed. I think a life story is a very important tool for creating a believable persona. However, reciting your back story usually is not. True, there are some living history situations wherein a presentation is given as a first person account, and these can be very well done, educational, and entertaining. But seriously, if you are a wrongly accused 18th century noble on the run, hiding among pyrates, much less a common thief, would you be telling a stranger your story? Learning and performing some practical skills of the time can do much more to bring a character to life. I think the romantic types (aka. F's or Feelers) like to create backstories for themselves and I'm ok with that. However, I also agree that almost no one else wants to hear your backstory, except maybe the folks on the forum who enjoy such things. The public wants to be entertained and/or taught something in an entertaining way. QJ, meet Ed. His sense of humor runs precisely along the same lines as ours, only it's so dry that it crackles and can make you think he is being somewhat elitist sometimes. (He's generally not, though. If he would hang around in places other than the pure historical forums you would (very slowly) come to learn this. At least that is my experience with him on another forum where he acted as weird as the rest of us. )

QJ brought up something in the Pirate vs Pirate thread about the pub collection of graphic art (which I truly have no idea what he was talking about - per usual) and it reminded me that there were a lot of graphic artists on this board. Since I learned that in this thread, I thought I'd drag it up again. Although I have explained what I do previously, I thought a link to might give you a better feel for my job. (Ok, I just threw that in there to pretend like I actually had something to say in here. )

Based on what Perrin said, my impression was that most of the 4th dialog (which is about terms) was taken from Manwaring's book. I actually skipped much of this, even tough it makes up well over half of the text, for this very reason. This quote is from the 5th dialog. Although since he borrowed from Manwaring in the 4th dialog, I could easily see where it affected what he said in the 5th since it appears to have been done chronologically.

I am confused about who can access what in FB, so I rarely put links to it in there. The only ones I can think of are to the photographic collections of people who post them in FB. And I am not entirely sure if people who aren't friends with those who post them in FB can see them or not. But since they're the only links I have, I use them out of respect for the photographers. Now mP, you should friend Lob so's I can friend you.

He does not in the parts I have read, as I recall. However, I think trying to identify the exact gun may be to commit the error I mention above. As for dates, I must muddy the waters further. The book was published posthumously. It is believed by the editor of the volume I am reading that Boteler[butler] wrote it based on his experiences in the early part of the 17th century (1620s - early 1630s), although he probably began writing after 1640. I'd recite the dates he was on ships, but the text is not very well organized in this respect. The editor doesn't know exactly when he died, but it is suggested in the introduction that it was after 1643. Since he held public office in 1639, he definitely wasn't at sea at that point.

Well, I am also reading The Barber Surgeon's Mate of the 16th and 17th Century by Rory W. McCreadie and he has this to say (which sort of supports something I've said repeatedly about the dogged need for absolute proof of stuff in your kit): "With all the information we have it is easy to re-enact a high-ranking Surgeon or a lowly Barber with little or no surgery skills, but most surgeons were adequate, if not highly trained, we could say, the norm. The re-enactor should use the information in the same way as a 17th century surgeon would. With the tools and knowledge at his disposal, he would take an use what he saw and could afford. By doing this we could end up with re-enactors fighting (verbally, I hope!!) over techniques, skills and the whys and wherefores of our trade. 'He thinks he's right, I know I'm right'; think of the cameos and fun for all. It goes on today as it did in the 17th century." (McCrory, p. 35) (Note: many surgeons argued with each other extensively over procedures in their texts. But the general point still stands. I doubt even 1/10 of 1% of the people during period were captured in pictures and manuscripts. That leaves room for a LOT of variance.)

I spent all day on planes and I was reading Nathaniel Boteler[butler]'s Dialogues, first published in 1685. The edition I'm reading was edited by W. G. Perrin and published by the Navy Records Society in 1929. He had this to say which I thought you might find interesting. "Admiral. Since we have proceeded thus far in discourse about these fiery weapons that are most profitably portable in ships of war, it will be fit to consider of the rest of them, and of all such arms in general, as you hold most proper and useful in this nature. Captain. As for such fiery weapons as are managed by single men, and to be used above the decks, I know none fitter than the ordinary musket, which is now in use; it being not only of good execution, and of a good reach, but manageable enough by any ordinary man, whose station is to be upon the hatches. As for such men who are to be betwixt decks, or in the round-house, or under the half decks or forecastle, there can no better nor more useful weapon be put into their hands, than the short carbines; and especially being well breeched and full bored, and fitted with good firelocks. For these may safely be laid down in any place, upon any occasion, and as readily taken up. And when they are fitted with belts, even those men which are appointed to handle the sails may wear and use them, without neglect of their other services. Admiral. What other fiery weapons would you propound for the use of sea soldiers? Captain. Truly, there is need of none other, as long as men fight either in their own ship, or not board and board with the enemy. But then I confess it is requirable to use a fierce weapon that may be managed with one hand only; and __ such are the ordinary pistols, and especially the French horse-pistols: the which I should chiefly recommend at any boarding or close fights on ship aboard. ... And therefore, for my part, I shall take no further care for one [body armor or helmet], than only to have a convenient skulled montero [footnote 1: A Spanish hunting cap with ear flaps] on my head; a good buff-jerkin on my back; a half pike or battle axe in one hand; a tried pistol in the other; with a good short sword by my side; to perform any[thing] requirable at any close fight or boarding." (Boteler, p. 261-2)

I was reading a book on ancient dental instruments (by Frank Colver - highly recommended if period dental instruments interest you) and there are more different designs for the dental pelican than you'd probably believe. I think I scanned in over 50 photos and drawings of period or near-period designs. There were at least that many more than that from post-period. (Godwin's website has it wrong when they say that surgeons switched from the pelican to the toothkey after the latter was invented in the mid 18th century. They were still designing new pelicans in the early 19th century.) I recommend the guy who made that (his name is Zach, the Etsy site is in his wife's name.) http://www.etsy.com/shop/jenniferannmurphy He has my Acad drawing for that thing, so if you like it, he'll be more than happy to make you one, I'm sure. Ditto the Spatula Mundani. I just uploaded the drawing for him yesterday.

But Lob is not vegetarian fare. (In fact, I don't know what Lob is.)

Strictly coincidental?

Thanks again! Please do share this with people. While it is definitely meant to recall everything and give those who were there some warm fuzzies and a few laughs, it is also meant to entice new people to come experience PiP. And I am not leaving this pinned at the top as it's not THAT important. So to whoever did that, I'm unpinning it. (Probably Stynky...he does that to things he wants to go back and read. SAVE IT TO YOUR FAVORITES, PAL!)

I've asked my blacksmith friend to make a spatula mundani for me. (It's a tool designed by John Woodall himself.) Fortunately, there is one at the Jamestown website that I was able to use to make a technical drawing from. Woodall actually shows several in the surgion's mate (1639), so I may have him make me two different styles. Next on my list of drawings is the Woodall Bonesaw....yessss. We wants it, we needs it. Must have the precious...

Only the Shadow knows.

Very nice. Well preserved, too. Pretty heady stuff for a ship's surgeon though. Ship's surgeons were the poorest of the surgeons. Most of them couldn't get lucrative land-based positions, so they went to sea to get experience.

Thanks. It's actually quite odd that this happened to be so. I chose to be a surgeon character because it seemed like an under-represented job on the board here and it involved specialty, science and specific research that only a few brave souls on the Pub had gotten into. However, I created the first journal because William Red Wake's wife Maeve O'Treasaigh, who was in Hawaii or some such while William was at PiP in 2007, started a topic called "Play by play at PiP" and I took the idea and ran with it. When I started serious research into surgeons post-PiP '07, I realized I was following in the footsteps of my forbears. (And I do so enjoy writing on a certain level.)

Oh, yes, and lest I forget, Thanks SO MUCH to Brig for copy editing this. She told me in a recent email that she has to drink rum to be able to do it. (Although if the last few pages have glaring typos, it's because I published the thing before she had a chance to look at them. I just wanted to be DONE with it!)

Thanks all! One great thing about making those web pages is re-living the event again. (...and again and again and again and... I must say I become very familiar with everyone's photo albums after the 30th search through them all to find that one picture that I vaguely recall seeing of such-and-so. Ok, that part does start to suck a little after the first dozen such recollections of pictures. (Where the heck is it?!))