Captain Jim

That was a jest, love. We all talked about how much we could make if we charged a buck, a comment on how many tourists posed with us over the weekend. No real intention of doing so ever arose nor will it ever as far as I am concerned unless there was a special station/backdrop and the proceeds went to the Fort. Then maybe.

Speaking of camp, now that we have decided on 1720, (written while the above was being posted, not trying to shut ye down mate) we need a ship name. Here are a few for your consideration: Shark Revenge (lots of those at the time) Speedwell (the ship that first took the Pilgirims to England before boarding the mayflower) Damned Compass might explain why were careening in Key West Posideon Jewel Just a few. Any more nominations?

Diosa, will you and your crew be setting up an actual campaign camp (Morgan and his boucanieres on the way to Panama, Maricaibo etc.) or will you be using an archway of Fort Zachary Taylor (FZT) as a backdrop for a "presence,” Morgan and his retinue at home, probably in one of the better homes in Port Royal? Either way, we will send anyone who shows an interest in Morgan or Port Royal that direction. If someone shows up doing a credible Blackbeard, Kidd, Rackham or Roberts we’ll do the same for them, too. Our camp is envisioned as both demonstration area and home for the duration of the event. In order to do that and do it well we have to keep to a specific date and a population of anonymous pyrates from an unknown ship. We have no desire to interfere or exclude anyone doing a representation of an historic entity outside of that time. Incidentally, if you have enough crew, and are planning to set up an actual boucaniere camp with smokers would that would be very Informative. Two camps with differing time frames would serve to highlight the differences at the beginning and at the end of the Age. Patrick has done lots of research on boucanieres and would, I’m sure, be glad to share.

That was my thinking, too. So shall we make it 1720 and save poor old Patrick's aching fingers?

Thanks, Greg. Bear in mind that a lot of us want to burn off some black powder while there. If the scenarios take place inside the fort in close proximity to the patrons there will simply be no room for safe BP use. That and nothing at which to fire the cannon. Perhaps the French (or Spanish) could show up, outside the fort? That way the English and the Pyrates could brawl and make up and then unite to fight a common enemy. Or is that introducing too many players/scenarios/costume changes to the mix? Speaking of cannon, I would like to see one gun crew stay sober until sunset for a single cannon sunset salute. I know it's asking a lot, but if we rotate the assignment no one will have to forgo the grog for long. Three crews, one each for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. More if the dates are expanded.

I agree, the sooner we create the framework for what we have in mind, the sooner we can run it all by Harry and begin to flesh thngs out and create the needed items. Also, I have a brother-in-law that is a sign painter (and tattoo artist). perhaps I can persuade him to help out. I'll make it clear that we're just a bunch of pyrates with no money and he'll be reasonable or work for beer. But we have to decide what we want on them, how many, how big. Historically, I don't think that careening took place on Key West, simply because there are no suitable beaches, but that shouldn't keep us from using that scenario because we don't have a ship, either. Further up the keys? I'll look to see who was in the area. I know that Rackham cruised these parts, but those bloody pirates kept such bad records. On the other hand, keeping the ship and crew fictional and therefore anonymous alleviates a lot of headaches. So all we really need to do is decide on a name.

Show us. Don't claim to have bought such a beauty unless you actually have. We take a dim view of braggarts about here. And if you did buy it, more pictures mate, closeups of the carving and tang areas. So, also, how much (ballpark)? We have a wager going here.

Temperature was 87+, humidity at 95% and above. I've never had tobacco get so wet I couldn't get it to burn. Or have canvas turn green in the sun. On Monday the weather moderated. I think this is happening because we piss off the weather gods by burning the hurricane flags.

Yes and the moon was very full. As for the pyrate camp, it really has to be date specific or it will be like having Elvis, U-2 and Mozart hanging out together in a recording studio. Cool, but not possible. Having specific characters is always problematic as the rest of the group has to play to them, their story and their timeline. Having a bunch of no-name pyrates demonstrating the day-to-day life of pyrates in the late Age allows us to tell the story of all of the pyrates, Morgan, Kidd and Roberts alike. If you, Hurricane, want to do an interpretive Morgan we will be more that glad to send patrons who show an interest in Morgan over to you. But if you show up in camp you would kind of have to be a ghost which is, after all, just another way to interpret a character. If we play an early period, say Port Royal in its prime, we cannot in character speak of any later pyrates. So picking a later time is inclusive, not exclusive as far as conveying history is concerned.

William, thanks. Josiah Tisdale is the character that Cascabel plays in the Read-Bonney trial. He is the owner of Tizzy's Tavern, at the south end of Queen Street. I think it was Patrick who came up with the idea of naming the tavern for that character. I spoke to Harry about that and I think that he liked the idea. Ground cloth: absolutely essential. While my tent was turning green my bedroll, made of the same material, stayed crisp and dry in spite of housing a smelly ol' pyrate. As for dates on the Pyrate Camp, we at the camp discussed using a specific year late in the Age, say 1715. Of course the trial didn't happen until 1720. Anyway, using a late date ensures that everyone’s kit will fit and not be excluded because of the cut-off date. Further that allows us to speak as if we were in that time and not just somewhere in that time. So if I was speaking to a patron about a certain event, the death of Morgan for example I could say, in 1720 character, that “…he died 32 years ago” instead of “…in 1688.” It kind of gives a perspective as to how short the GAoP really was. Speaking of signage, a sign or banner at the entrance (written on sailcloth, naturally) outlining the basic premise might also be an idea, something along the lines of “Welcome to the year 1720. Short historical timeline... Here is what is going on today…” That way the patrons are set up for what they will see. As for using the cordage that is at the fort (beautiful, massive four-inch stuff), we would need groundcloths for top and bottom to protect it. I imagine that is something that would have had to have been done in real-time as well and for the same reasons. Another thought, using linseed oilcloth to cover our stuff (coolers, suitcases etc.) outside and between the tents along with the cordage and barrels. Solves a storage problem and adds to the bulk of our props. And don't try telling me y'all didn't appreciate the cooler I brought.

Aye, William for quartermaster! As for the fire pit in camp, we basically got lazy. And it was too hot. And it keeps the drunken sailors out of your front yard at 3 AM. A fire pit removed from the camp would be ideal, somewhere near the flagpole. And for those of you who think "makeshift tent...how primitive" ...having done it it is way cool and far easier than you think. A tent is, after all, just canvas you sleep under. If it keeps yer kit dry, it works. I will be messing about this summer with some other ideas/designs to present as alternatives or larger shelters. Pictures will come as I innovate. Send ideas and I'll try them out to see if it works. One dificulty is that there are no trees inside the fort. I also plan to use wooden tackle gear to tension my front guy rope, just for fun.

I've got a subscription to their archive, but it probably isn't posted yet. My guess is $2000 to $2500, because of the extensive scrollwork. If it is lower than that someone got a deal. This pistol sold for $1899 and is much less ornate:

You must have picked up on something that I didn't, as I saw no reason not to recruit, just didn't think of it at the time. Mind you I may have had "ale goggles" on at the time...

<Music> "What can you do as a drunken sailor...." I'll be caryin' Pub cards from now on, at all events.

Yeah, Richie Rich was his name. What a twit.

Did you notice what the price was, mate?

1726! (HIC!)

From the wisdom of the aged: always give your heart one more time, until you don't have to anymore. As for the past, that is all that it is. Memories, some good, some bad. Leave the bad ones behind and keep the good ones. And keep all of the stories that are well told over wine.

By Thursday night most of the vendors had arrived and set up, but the rest arrived Friday early. Smoke and Fire was there and plans to return. They had a lot of stuff from in or near our time period, and could put a serious hurt on my wallet. I bought a mallet bottle from them (among other things) that served to prevent dehydration for the rest of my stay. Don’t ever underestimate the power of nature to kick your butt. I had had a headache for two days: carrying water about in the mallet bottle solved the problem. Now seems to be an appropriate time for a quick note about the weather. It was hot. Damn hot. And humid as hell. It also rained Sunday morning, and a little each night that we were there. That’s how we found out that Silkie’s tent leaked. How humid was it? I couldn’t keep pipe tobacco lit because it sogged out. Our tents, set up in the sun, still started to turn green. And I already told y’all about the black powder and rust incidents. Amazing. Monday though, after most had gone home, I had to have a burger at Schooner Wharf. As I sat there at about 1330 hours, the temp dropped 20 degrees in about half an hour. Funny ol’ world, innit? On with the show. Saturday’s schedule called for only one invasion in the afternoon, so we spent the morning shopping in the thieves market and just laying about the camp looking authentic. Or is that authentically tired? Did I mention that we went out on the town every night and that quite often some lubber, er, I mean enthusiastic patron of historical reenactment would buy us drinks? Aye, fully armed we were, traipsing about Duval street as if we owned it. Swagger! I meant swaggering down Duval street! Traipsing is done at the other end of Duval, mate! (Yes, another inside joke. Come to PiP and find out the rest). Freebooter Jack and his crew arrived at the fort about 1300 hours, just in time to be recruited into the invasion party. In this version the Wolf fired on the fort and the fort responded. Pyrates (that would be us) “landed” from the Wolf and made a frontal attack. The English (seven at this point) came out to repel us and were ultimately defeated, largely because one ran away and another switched sides (huzzah for Turncoat!) We victorious pyrates marched the survivors back to the fort and raised our flag. One of our valiant number fell in battle, Jack’s first mate Brig. She was carried back to the fort where it was discovered that it was only a flesh wound. I think that it was just too hot and she didn’t want to walk. Saturday night was the Christmas parade. Patrick, Silkie, Rusty and I were too tired or footsore to do the whole parade so we went to town for "medicine." The streets were lined with folks, filling the sidewalks waiting for the parade to get to them. But the street was open so we walked in the street. People started applauding. So we gave them the parade wave and kept on going, a small pyratical parade of our own. We ended up in Captain Tony’s, where another lub…I mean enthusiastic patron bought us rounds. That song Patrick mentioned about a guy smoking pot in his car as a line in the chorus about how he “…don’t know where I are…” We spotted the opportunity on the first chorus, joined in with “ARRRR” on the second and the boy singer let us take it on the third. And yes he was about to laugh himself off the stool. The Gators won, USC lost and I’m a pyrate drinkin’ fer free in Key West. Life was good.

Alright then. Tuesday night and real life finally gets out of the way. To begin, PiP WAS A BLAST!!! Too many stories! To relate all will take days. So, I will take days to do this in installments. Mind you that this will be an upbeat posting. I will reserve criticisms for a later thread with a mind toward improving PiP. On a more positive note, there was a photographer there who took more that 5000 pictures (no that is not a typo I meant five thousand bloody pictures), including capturing a green flash. Huzzah for James Callahan. Wednesday: Patrick, Silkie, Rusty and I arrive at various times, all after dark, so no one set up camp. We all slept under the dining pavilion. Harry was great to stay up and let us all in, although Patrick and Silkie kind of broke in. I will defer to Patrick and Silkie to fill in the circumstances of their arrival. (Edit: I see that Patrick has done that) You will notice that I italicized “Harry was great”. It will be a recurring theme. There was a Conch Republic Naval Commissioning party that we were invited to but I missed it due to traffic. Harry can fill you in on the details. Callahan pictures to come, including the official Conch Republic Flasher. All slept well, except for the intermittent chain saw that ran off and on all night. And yes, that is an inside joke. You will have to come to PiP to get the details. Thursday: Rising early we set camp. The scenario that we set up was of a Pyrate crew ashore during the careening of their ship. To this end all of our camps were made out of material that would have been found on a ship. Patrick has hand-sewn a spritsail to act as his shelter. Will this man ever stop sewing? Silkie and I both slept under canvas set up as sail scraps or raw canvas used as temporary shelter. I brought two oars to aid in set up, earning my tent the sobriquet of “Oar House”. Silkie’s canvas proved to be too open-weaved to resist the rain (more on that later.) Rusty did not bring a tent and slept in a “bivy sack” during our stay and could be found in various places on the walls in the morning. So the running joke was that Silkie was too loose, I spent my time in an “oar” house, Patrick was for “sail” and Rusty slept around. Harry was great and provided both Silkie and Patrick with tent poles, stakes and guy ropes. Thursday night we went to the End of the Hurricane Season destruction of the flag ceremony and Walk the Plank championships. Patrick, Silkie, Rusty and I spread flyers, both at the Pier House and on the way back to camp. The bartenders were great, letting us post flyers on the walls and talking up the event. We will need to do more flyer spreading next year. Friday was muster for black powder inspection at 0900 hours. Silkie had a new Scots pistol purchased from Callenish Gunner that Patrick and I helped her to sort out and learn how to shoot. By the end of the gathering she was loading like a pro. Nothing like BP, eh Silkie? During the first Pyrate takeover of the fort there was only one redcoat. All of the others had to work. We dutifully went out anyway, hurling insults and BP smoke at the fort. Two things conspired to make the invasion drag a little: the redcoat had very little powder and the humidity that kept things from going “boom.” The humidity was so bad that Braze was quite taken aback to find that a glaze of rust had formed on the barrel of his blunderbuss in the time it took to walk the 200 yards to the front of the fort. We also had trouble getting the powder to ignite, all except Silkie, the beginner. Things slowed down so much that we formed a “kick line” and started doing our best Radio City Music Hall impression, Rockettes style. Pictures to follow. Later that day the redcoat took back the fort, killing all of the defenders with his seventh and last bullet, much to the amusement of the rest of the island. It’s late, more tomorrow.

OK, let's all go to the "After Action Report PiP 2006" thread started by GoF so we can keep all of this together. No use posting the lovelies all over the place: I might get confused and miss one of those pictures...

Alright shipmates, lets move all of this over to the "After Action Report PiP 2006" thread started by GoF so we can keep it all together.

Tuesday night and I finaly get a chance to read/post. Yes, I think that turning a few Pyrates to the English side is a very good idea. After all, we turned one of the redcoats to Pyracy over weekend. (here's to Edward Turncoat!)

Assembling the garb is a long slog, mate, all upwind. 'Tis best to take your time and "see" it in your head first. If your trying to be period, then bad decisions can be even more costly than going all the way to begin with. But if you're in a hurry I have a nice pair of 8 1/2 bucket boots, an 1861 cutlass and some fall front slops I can sell you in Key West.

And there I thought that the four horsemen were Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death. Silly me.