Captain Jim

Actually I was thinking of changing all of my bills for dollar coins for the event, and even when going to town and paying for bar or breakfast tabs. the Pub at the fort gave all change in the form of Sacagawea dollars. Gold in color, they were unexpected and therefore very cool.

Now that is a convincing argument...

Is that an issue then? Been skinny dipping at night in Grand Cayman and St Martin and was never told it was an issue. And it's fairly common here in New England. Hawkyns I'm actually uncertain. It's cooler at that time of year, but I hadn't considered the marine life. If anyone would know, Jim would. Ask him about the everglades. You may be more likely to be arrested than attacked, but it is Key West, so the police there might join you in a swim. Swimming at night in the tropics is like playing the lottery: You can't win if you don't play, and you only have to win once. Only with sharks the prize is rather nasty. You could do it for years and know other people that have and then one night... Sort of like noodling...and then you grab the gator...Or the gator grabs you. Speaking of which, 18 fatal gator attacks in 58 years, then three in the last 1 1/2 weeks. You never know.

I don't think so. Have ye never heard of sharks? Feeding at night? Following cruise ships into harbor? If you go swimming at night will me your firelocks first.

I'm still trying to find my place in the spectrum that extends from Halloween/Polyester Pyrates to stealing (borrowing without permission) the Royalist. I am leaning toward the re-enactor or living historian role, but I have bucket boots and buckle shoes. I love playing with the small kids and educating the big ones and their parents. If I run into a brat and/or it's parents I am more than happy to drop out of character and read them the riot act and I have a special tone of voice that has been known to stop large dogs cold. But that does not turn me off to all kids and makes me more appreciative of the ones that pay attention and want to learn.

Mmmmm....Barometer Soup...

Not to worry, lass, we pyrates take care of our own.

I learn something every day here. Knot races. Very cool. And you were not going to share this in the PiP forum? I agree that differing events may call for differing approaches and that some just aren't disposed to play the Hollywood Pyrate. No problem. There is room for all of us on the ship.

As always William has graciously put into words that which most of us were thinking. In order to clarify or perhaps solidify what I think the position of the members of this forum is in regard to activities at PiP, I will try to define what it is I think am hearing from the members. We do not wish to compete with the vendors. The idea of handing out some bauble to small children to commemorate their encounter with a Pyrate amounts to a small coin, a bit of glass, a trinket. We’ll not be handing out pyrate hats, swords, clothing, candles, jewelry or anything else that might conceivably be construed as valuable. If anything it may contribute to the desire to buy more swag. Remember that the first position that I suggested was that of Point Pyrate to avoid misunderstandings. Some have voiced a desire to have a group sing. Last year at the pub inside the fort several groups performed. In the “off time” they sang together offstage as mixed groups, and tried to get others to join in. No one knew the songs. When I said that we need to “coordinate with/alert/warn/terrify the musicians that will be performing at PiP” it was said in a lighthearted spirit of jest. If lifelong observations serve, not everyone can sing and the caterwauling of drunken Pyrates can terrify anyone. We do not mean to take over the stage, and if they do not want us to sing along, getting the patrons involved as a result, we’ll stay in camp and sing there. After hours if we must. However, true entertainment professionals do what is necessary to make the crowd happy, and if that means making use of “amateur” voices to stoke the coals of participation, that is what they will do. And we will be there if they want us. Remember that the first position that I suggested was that of Point Pyrate to avoid misunderstandings. As for the displays of BP weapons and cannon lessons, I believe we all agree that this should be kept in our camp proper. If someone else is planning to do this then that frees us up to do other things. Last year there was plenty of room for additional displays of pyratical skills and techniques. Layers of exhibits and displays of practical skills and such within the camp can only serve to enhance the atmosphere of the event. Remember that the first position that I suggested was that of Point Pyrate to avoid misunderstandings. As far as the Camp Pyrate is concerned, I believe that William already has that position, and he is already acting as Point Pyrate to avoid misunderstandings in that area. Most importantly, last year it was some of these very Pyrates offering plans here who came down to the event and became the event. We manned the guns, both on the shore and on the ships. We were the attacking force that took the fort. We were the ones walking about getting our pictures taken with the patrons. We were the ones going into town and telling people about the event when even the bartenders did not know that it was happening. We are not planning a takeover, just volunteering to do more to help the event be more. There will be 20-30 pyrates from this Pub going to the event if all goes well. We want to help. Some of us have skills and ideas that can enhance the event. Others want to do what they can, even if that means just standing there near a tent looking good. To this end I have offered this small organizational ladder, a first step in coordinating these volunteers, the first rung of which is the position of Point Pyrate to avoid misunderstandings. Understand? Constructive comments will now be entertained.

Go here, Capt. to see the list and the limitations. And yes, we do, is the short answer. We recognize 29 other states. Now for those other miscreants...

I slip in and out of character here all of the time. Mind you that while I think that I can write character dialogue fairly well, it is still not always easy to read unless you are familiar with it. And that goes for Bronx, Appalachian or Indian as well as Pyrate. It is meant to convey a feeling, a texture if you will, to the words. Still….When I was at PiP this year, I was wandering all about Key West in garb and all I heard was: ARRRR! For the first two days it was amusing. For the next two, it was rote. For the last two, it was annoying as hell. Fortunately, some knew how to fix that. They would say something to the effect of: “Arrrr! Can I have my picture taken with the Pyrate? Can I buy you a drink?” To which I would answer: ARRR!

Good points, Hawkyns, but PiP is geared more for the public than for the participant’s own indulgence (amusement, education, participation: pick a word that describes what you do at camp as this is not a judgment or criticism.) That said, it would be good to “man the camp” at PiP, both to guard the goods and to lend an air of authenticity and provide participatory education. Although I will not be camping, I could stand a watch or two (or three.) Those of us with skills can teach others so that we can both share the knowledge and spread the burden of standing “camp watch.” After all, we all want to go on the ships and fire the guns. Some organization of our plans, such as are independent of the organizer’s, needs to begin soon. There have been suggestions of group sings and pirate camp activities. Perhaps cannon training for public powder monkeys? (Not my idea, by the way. There was a guy at Lee Island that gave cannon training using inert loads and cannon balls, all of which slide back out the barrel at the conclusion. Certificates are issued. [if you are reading this: great idea!]) BP pistol/blunderbuss demos. A Pyrate hanging (using a harness, ye bloody gobs! Otherwise we’ll run out of Pyrates.) So here is a thought. Some of us must step up now and take charge of some aspect of what has been suggested. William seems to have the camp proper well in hand. Hawkyns has a grip on camp activities. Several of us have BP and cannon experience. Who here can set up song sheets and music to practice to? Then there is the coordination with the organizers: where will this or that be set up? At what times will demos be done? Will we be covered by the organizers insurance? This coordination may be the most important aspect. To this I suggest an organizational “ladder.” • Point Pyrate This person does all of the communication with the organizer. All other Pyrates go through this one. Absolutely no communication should go through to the organizer without approval so as to avoid confusion and misunderstanding. This person will also be the organizer within the group, coordinating activities, rosters and time. We need a diplomat or a saint here. (Saint Blackbeard?) • Camp Pyrate This person will coordinate all camp layout, both proper (tent types, location and visual appearance) and logistics (firewood, poles and “facilities.”) Also camp guard schedule. • Camp Demo Pyrate Organize demos, volunteers, training. Schedule demos. Find and procure (free/low cost/subsidized) materials. • Black Powder Demo Pyrate Organize demos, volunteers, training. Schedule demos. Find and procure (free/low cost/subsidized) materials. This one is also the one most likely to encounter insurance problems and must take the lead to resolve them. Also the most likely to encounter expense. • Cannon Demo Pyrate Organize demos, volunteers, training. Schedule demos. Provide inert loads and cannon balls. Provide, beg, borrow or steal (borrow without permission) a cannon. Commandeer: nautical term. • Song Pyrate Organize a song list and a (pyrated) CD of same. Distribute to all who volunteer to learn. Coordinate with/alert/warn/terrify the musicians that will be performing at PiP through the Point Pyrate. Any of these positions may be held in coordination by more than one pyrate, and more than one can be held by a single (presumably not gainfully employed) pyrate. Each Pyrate will probably need a separate thread to organize within. So the question is: Who wants to step up and take charge? I may volunteer for a position, but I must consult the wench (aka SWIMBO, She Who Must Be Obeyed.) See “held in coordination”, above. What say ye?

As do I.

Flintlocks are not firearm under US law. So you should not have a problem. If your stop officer is ignorant, ask for the shift surpervisor to be present. That usually causes pause for thought. That said... Case the thing and put it somewhere other than your front seat. Unless you have a carry permit, all weapons should be stored in such a fashion as to be unavailable and unobservable without a warrant-level search of the car. If you get served with a warrant roadside(and you have to appear to be very bad to have that happen), tell all so as not to surprise the officers. And in that case, I don't know you....

Says I'll go for celebrating Nude Day. Haven't yet...

Aye, I second Capt. Bo's observation that handing out trinkets indiscriminately is a bad thing. Further, not all who come to these events, especially those that do not charge an admission, are wealthy and can afford the vendors. I usually target kids that are empty-handed and just do photos with the kids loaded down with swag.

Lets see now, first I take the quote out of context, add my own interpretation and BEHOLD! Blackjohn thinks we should all wear bucket boots! Just (Captain) Kidding. I really must get a pic of me in my own buckle shoes to dispell the notion that I am turning to the "light" side.

Blackjohn, I can't see yer shoes lad. Are ye hidin' a pair o' bucket boots down there in the foliage? I'm tellin' Petee....

Queen Anne thread. I see you've been to that one before. But to elaborate, anneal the guard by heating and quenching in water. Yes, that is the opposite of iron and steel. To harden, heat again and let cool slowly. Careful, though, as you can melt brass with a torch. Too hot and ye will have a glob where the bend was supposed to go. Polish to restore color. Go make loud noises.

Beware of the triggergaurd bend! It will break! Somewhere on this board is a discussion of what others did to alleviate the problem. I'll see if I can find it. Meanwhile, ye be warned!

Aye, I've seen beads and also "jewels, " the glass drops found at hobby shops and usually used to fill the bottom of vases, etc. There's nothing like a piece o' gold, though...

Nice site, Patrick. I hadn't run accross that one before. Blunderbuss "kit", brass fittings for $400. Hmmm.....

A very fine substitute for ebony is any close-grained wood stained with vinegar in which iron or steel has been left to oxidize. If you prefer a little red in your stain, use rusty iron or steel. This type of stain actually changes the wood itself and cannot be "stripped out" by final finishes, such as tung oil, which will take the pigment out of an oil stain. Find a tightly grained piece of maple with little figure and stain away. I reccomend that you try out your stain on a piece of scrap first. Small pieces of maple are available in most "big-box" stores like Home Depot. Better to find out you don't like the result on a $4 piece of scrap than your $75 stock.

Abandon a Pyrate Holiday?!? NEVER!!! It is up to us to resurrect this national day of recognition and cause it to be celebrated by those who fear us!

To have a custom gun made you will probably have to start in the $1000 range for a no-frills but nearly flawless flint pistol. By that I mean that the stock and all of the fittings have been inlet without noticeable gaps, the lock has been timed correctly and a proper finish has been applied to all parts. Add anything else (engraving, inlays or carving) and the price goes up dramatically. For examples, go to Track of the Wolf and look at the prices on the guns for sale. Also, call the people at Track and Muzzleloader Builders Supply (link) and ask them for the names of 'smiths with whom they trade. As for the reliability/responsibility of gunsmiths trading on the net, I cannot make any recommendations, as I can't afford them.