Mission

Put-in-Bay is mostly organized on Facebook, William. Not everything is settled for that event, but I added you to the group so you can see what's going on.

"[Walter] Kennedy and another left them [the pirates who deserted Bart. Roberts] here [in Scotland], and travelling to one of the Sea-Ports, shipp'd themselves for Ireland, and arrived there in Safety. Six or seven wisely withdrew from the rest, travelled at their Leisure, and got to their much desired Port of London, without being disturbed or suspected; but the main Gang [19 men] alarm'd the Country where-ever they came, drinking and roaring at such a Rate, that the People shut themselves up in their Houses, in some Places, not daring to venture out among so many mad Fellows: In other Villages, the treated the whole Town, squandering their Money away, as if, like Æsop, they wanted to lighten their Burthens: This expensive Manner of Living procured two of their drunken Stragglers to be knocked on the Head, they being found murdered in the road... Kennedy, having spent all his Money, came over from Ireland and kept a common Bawdy-House on Deptford Road..." (Shornhorn's version of the General History, p. 209) So seven or eight men may have been inclined not to waste their money from a group of 27 or 28 men in this example. (Although it's hard to say because the narrative doesn't tell what happened to those six or seven men who went to the Port of London and the man who accompanied Kennedy.)

I need to be able to like Jim's post. You know, IPBoard stole so many other Facebook concepts, why didn't they steal that one?

Historic Trek costumes? The mind boggles, mrbungle. I always thought it was funny how so many people decided to be a captain. (And then there's my crew...which no one wants to captain. )

It's funny, I was wondering about the black thing as well. We've had discussions about how expensive black fabric was. I am thinking particularly of the thread on Clothing Colours starting here. We've also talked about how to die leather black which sort of went off into a minor discussion about how to achieve period black. Those discussions may give you some insight into coloring fabrics and use of black. Does it seem to anyone else that it might be a bit much to expect the average pirate to dye their flag? I would more readily expect them to find a piece of black material and give it to a sailmaker to stitch the required design on it. (Based on nothing I can point to, mind you.)

I tend to agree with you that pirate captains may have dressed a little better than the normal sailor based on what I perceive as their psychology, but I don't really have any proof of that. Period drawings of pirates suggest this, however, as we have discussed before on the forum, these drawings were not made of the actual pirates but were based on the artist's interpretation, probably using his knowledge of non-pirates to illustrate from. But I was talking about the comment that captured clothing was sold before the mast. I'm guessing that comes from this comment, "So upon their returning on board next Morning, the Coats were taken from them, and put into the common Chest, to be sold at the Mast." This could be interpreted as meaning everything in the common chest (which was probably stuff that could not easily be given out in shares) was sold at the mast. Or it could be interpreted that the coats were of such value and interest that they would be sold before the mast because several people wanted them. You need independent, corroborating proof for you assertion. One a normal ship, clothing sold before the mast was supposed to be a way for the men to buy clothing if they needed it or as a way to raise money for the family of a deceased seaman. (The deceased clothes and effects would be sold to raise the money which would go to the sailor's widow and children. I believe this is from Henry Teonge.) However, its purpose was bastardized so that the men on our normal (non-pirate) ship would buy clothing at the mast at more than it was worth who borrowed against their wages to do so before making landfall. They would then go into town and sell it for less than they had paid as a way of borrowing against their future wages. This allowed them to buy drinks, food and whatever else they might want. (If I am remembering this rightly, it is according to Edward Barlow's account. Barlow has a tendency towards cynicism at times from my reading, but it would be a neat sort of scam if you think about it.) The question being... why would the pirates do this? Just to get fancy clothes? That hardly supports your idea that they would be saving money. (I think that's your original idea, isn't it?)

Prove it. You have presented one instance, the highlighting of which sort of suggests that this procedure might be out of the ordinary.

So from this, I'd guess that the money would go into some universal pot which would be divided among the pirates when the accounting occurred. Kind of like when I said, "a much-desired item could be sold." This is provided they followed the precepts laid down in those articles we have that specify such things. Keep in mind that the crew was upset that things weren't being divided properly, so they must have had some sort of system in place. Blackbeard schemed to keep all the accumulated plunder for himself by marooning some men, so it seems reasonable to say that for some pirate crews the bulk of the money may not have divided until some future time. (They would almost have to divvy out some of it when they made landfall, though.)

According to some of the pirate articles we have from the General History, plunder was divided along very specific rules. I suppose a much-desired item could be sold (I don't recall the sale of Snelgrave's coat, but feel free to quote it here), but then to whom would the money it was sold for go? And if I recall the Rogers account, the men traded their clothing for food and souvenir type stuff at one of the ports they stopped at shortly after leaving England. No doubt some people saved and others didn't. However, the very nature of turning pirate seemed to favor the philosophy of "a short life and a merry one." Keep in mind that watches and vests could provide evidence if the pirates were caught, so someone with the foresight to save probably also would have the foresight to sell such things if they intended to live a life post-piracy. (I am conjecturing here that the reason for a pirate to save money would be for their retirement from the trade. At least I'm guessing that's what you're getting at.)

I would think it would be what ever material the pirates had at hand. One account in the General History of the Most Notorious Pirates simply refers to a group of pirates making themselves a flag to go pirating in an offhand manner. Although, as Foxe says, I have a reference to silk from the General History account of Robert's flag. “They came to Whydah with a St. George’s Ensign, a black Silk Flag flying at their Mizzen-peek, and a Jack and Pendant [pennant?] of the same.” (I haven't got the ras de St. Maur reference, but I have an extraordinarily crappy version of the General History right now.) Of course Roberts had been pretty successful by this point in the story and had probably come across a cargo of silk in his various thefts. Still, I don't think anyone could seriously fault you for making a flag out of whatever period material you had that would bear up to being whipped about in the wind.

Walls of text? I like that term. I also write walls of text, often quoting liberally from period sources so that they're particularly hard to read. From what I've seen, a lot of pirate reenactors don't start out wanting to do period correct. (Even the most staunch thread counter has to admit that fantasy pirate is more flashy and, in some ways, interesting than PC.) However, it kind of creeps up on you when you start going to serious events. It's more of a challenge and that's more fun. (Well to me it is. You sound like someone who like challenges too.) As for obsessing over a topic, that is just a complete waste of time. (This whole site is an ongoing obsession over a topic. The key IMO is to find a niche and spread yourself.)

Weren't the privateering articles for Woodes Rogers' voyage spelled out in his book? that would get you to 1708.

Mike, I added some photos in for you. To do that (if you're using a PC), 1. Right-click with your mouse over the photo on the other website. 2. Select 'Copy Image Location' from the pop-up menu list. 3. Come over to the Pub and put your cursor in the reply box of the topic. 4. Select the photo icon (which looks like a Polaroid snapshot with blue, green and orange blobs in it) 5. In the Image Properties pop-up window, right-click in the URL box. 6. Select 'Paste' from the pop-up menu list. 7. Click the OK button and Viola! (Hopefully.)

I know Silkie McDonough is looking for period documented support of candle-lit auctions at Ordinaries. If you happen to hear anything about auctions in Ordinaries or even in taverns, she'd probably appreciate it.

I could be wrong here, but I got the impression when I was reading the Lowther account that his articles were adhered to up until Massey and his group left. Then things seem to have degenerated in many respects.

Splendid! Thank you so much! I will have to try and see if I can dig up a copy of that.

It's kind of interesting that we gravitate to the EI Companies looking for corporation marks when their routes didn't really include the West Indies. I'm sure some of their goods made it out to the WI and the Colonies, but most of them seem to have circulated around Asia, India and Europe from my reading. (If someone has more knowledge than I, I stand open to correction on this point.) Anyhow, I have been curvetting around the 'net when I came across bale, cloth and bag seals. These were coin-like discs used to seal the items mentioned. Many of them have government imprints, some have company imprints and most have quantity [of the goods inside] imprints on them. Very interesting little items that have more than a few web sources which could be used to design a company logo if one were so inclined. For those wanting it nice and simple, I found some info on the Colchester Treasure Hunting web page. Colchester is in Essex and is nicely situated in relation to the sea, so one might expect to find some interesting seals there. They also have a nice layout that is easy to peruse. For example: Which they describe as: "Lead bale seal with traders mark CM" (It doesn't give a date and these things appear to have existed from the 12th - 19th centuries, so that must be accounted for.) If you like to dig, the UK Finds Database provides hundreds of seals, sorted into categories including by very rough dating. Some of the seals they have photos of are quite hard to read, so you really do have to sift and sort if you want to avail yourself of their content. They do give a great deal more information on just what it is you're looking at, though.

Now I found this sort of interesting. First we have this article... Then, later in the General History account I have of Roberts, we have this point being raised at the trial, “…Men who had been entered only since their being __ on the Coast of Guiney, and therefore had not so liberal a Share in fresh Provisions, or Wine, as the Fortune’s People…” (MacKlecan, p. 91-2) So it would appear that, despite the wording of Article I (viz. 'Every man has...equal title to fresh provisions...'), there was a sort of seniority provision recognized that circumvented it. Perhaps they really are "more like guidelines."

Yes, but the dog in the wig... Searching around the net, I found some descriptions of this painting. The general comment is that it has a great deal of satire in its make-up, which may explain the clothing to some degree. (The moral of this story is that you've always got to be wary of Hogarth's art because it may not completely represent what you think it represents.) From Electric Scotland (!): "In Buchanan House, Stirlingshire, the seat of the family, there is a painting, about quarter size, by Hogarth. It represents Lord George Graham at table in the cabin of his ship with attendants. Some parts of the group bear marks of the characteristic humour of the immortal artist." From Art for the Nation: (I threw in some paragraph breaks for readability): A conversation piece thought to be set in the captain's cabin of the 'Nottingham', 60 guns, and probably commissioned by the sitter, who was youngest son of the first Duke of Montrose, to celebrate his action off Ostend in June 1745. While commanding the frigate 'Bridgwater', 24 guns, Graham had attacked a squadron of French privateers, capturing valuable prizes. His reward was the command of the larger 'Nottingham'. On the right is a full-length portrait of Graham seated slightly to the left at a covered circular table, facing forward and glancing sideways, with a place-setting for dinner in front of him. Holding a long pipe in his right hand, his left rests on his cape and hip. Dressed in grey, he wears a gold-brocade waistcoat, a fur-lined red velvet cape round his shoulders, a velvet cap askew, breeches and slippers. Seated on the left in front of the table, with a place-setting under his left elbow, is a plainly attired man with his legs crossed, wearing a black coat, white collar and buckled shoes. His dress implies he is socially inferior to Graham but an educated man - perhaps a secretary or tutor - and it may be symbolic of this social difference that a salt-cellar lies on the table between them. He looks up out of the picture to the right and holds a ledger, with a nearly full famille-rose punch bowl and a dog at his feet. To his left, behind, dressed in white and standing under a hanging crown compass, a steward or cook holds a plate of roast fowl. The sails of another ship can be seen through the cabin's stern windows beyond. A black servant boy stands on the far right behind Graham, playing a pipe and tabor. Behind the table a standing man, presumably a singer, holds a sheet of music which may bear the title 'Farewell my Judy' and affirms that music unites the group. On the left, Graham's dog apparently joins the singing. [Here's the goods.] On the right a pug sits upright on a chair, wearing Graham's wig and holding a scroll. He represents Hogarth's dog, Trump, and thus the artist has placed himself in the portrait. His tongue lolls as he looks beyond the paper propped on a glass in front of him. The inclusion of servants and dogs invites a satirical commentary on Captain Graham and his circle. Lord George and the boy both have pipes and the boy's attire mimics his master's. Similarly Trump's senatorial pose, in Graham's wig, apes the formality of his official position (though at this period musical conductors used a roll of paper rather than a baton and this reference may be musical as well). Only the steward on the left directly confronts the viewer with his gaze. His smile invites the spectator into the picture, while he seems unaware that he is tipping gravy down the back of the seated man in front of him. Hogarth has thus introduced elements of humour into the portrait, which also implies political allusions. Cabin scenes of any sort are rare in oil painting and this is the most famous example in British art. Whether the setting was Graham's or Hogarth's idea is unknown but in either case it may have been inspired by Bartolommeo Nazari's similar painting of Lord Boyne and his friends in the cabin of the ship taking them to Lisbon from Venice in 1732. Boyne was certainly known to Hogarth (who painted his portrait) and Nazari's picture prompted an unusual number of contemporary copies, of which the Museum has an example (BHC2567). Hogarth's painting, which has long been a source of speculation as to its full meaning and the identity of Graham's 'secretary' and singing companion, was purchased from the Duke of Montrose in 1932 by Sir James Caird, the Museum's founding benefactor." By the by, here is the Nazari painting from this website. You will find an historical description of that painting on the site if that interests you. (Notice the cat under the table. Hee hee.)

Tom Servo: "A young Ben Franklin prepares for his role as Santa."

If you think about it, even today many people don't give that much thought to the more elite spirits. It's really only important if you drink it straight, you can afford it and you've developed a taste for it. (Although people seem more aware of it in the past 10 or 20 years than I can personally remember them being before that. I think this has a lot to do with the way alcohol is presented in movies and such.) If the primary way you acquire alcohol is by stealing it...well, beggars can't be choosers. OTOH, if they took a ship full of the good stuff, they'd probably just as gladly consume it as anything else. Still, being in the habit of mixing alcohols into punches, why wouldn't do the same with a premiere alcohol as a low grade sort? I wonder how the daily tot was drunk? Straight or mixed?

When I saw the dog in the wig in that last one, I suspected it was at least partially satirical and, sure enough, if you blow it up you'll find Hogarth's name on it. I think I'll make that one my avatar. It's been awhile since I changed it... Jib, he is getting them from all over the place, probably doing some sort of image search. (From experience, I can tell you that it can be a right pain the arse to find period images of what you're looking for.) So it's a nice thread from that perspective.

Since the pirates appear to have been mostly taking rum out of ships they captured, it is doubtful many of them had a preference for aged vs. not. Reading through the General History again, I find that if they captured alcohol that they appear to have drunk it till it ran out and then went in search of another source.

I have heard the point about syphilis before, but this doesn't answer my question about the surgeons. I was looking for the documents that prove that since the General History doesn't appear to give any such detail. Is it in the trial notes?

Yes, that was my point if I didn't state it. This is one of several reasons I always get a hotel room at re-enactments. As a point of interest related to this discussion, later in the Roberts account I found this bit, “They passed some Time here [bennet’s Key], after they had got their Vessel ready, in their usual Debaucheries; they had taken a considerable Quantity of Rum and Sugar, so that Liquor was as plentiful as Water, and few denied themselves the immoderate Use of it; nay, Sobriety brought a Man under Suspicion of being in a Plot against the Commonwealth, and in their Sense, he was looked upon to be a Villain that would not be drunk.” (MacKlecan, p. 55)