Captain Midnight

Aye, those do indeed look like gaiters, IMHO

Do we have any surviving examples of a Spanish boarding axe? If so, would they differ that much from, say, an English or French axe of the same period? What other types of surviving Spanish naval weapons do we have? I ask this because I am already in love with the Spanish escopeta musket...I fully intend to own one of those babies one day!

Here's a pic of the cutlass. I don't know what he based it off of, if anything, but it is certainly very pretty, and seemingly of period style.

I got into pirates at about the age of 9 or 10 when I got a birthday cake with little plastic pirate figures on it. I think one was a captain, one was one-legged on a crutch, and the other had a shovel burying treasure. Then, I read Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island, and I've been going ever since. That was about 30 years ago, when it all began...

Christine, I hope you will soon start to feel better! A stroke is serious business! Take care of yourself, lass.

A favorite of mine: "Do what you can with what you have, where you are." ---"Teddy" Roosevelt

That is one of the most beautiful shirts I have ever seen, Mary! And the buttons! The buttons are magnificent!

Thousand Island? LimeBean... Black Pearl Onion! That's a good one! Ransom... the pirate veggies on the skewer or a stir fry right next to the Nemo sushi! ~Lady B ...and the Sebastian crab legs and stuffed Flounder...

Aye, it's Bilgemunky Radio for me...

Yep, I just perused the site and man! Does he have some pretty stuff! The firearms are beautiful, as are the powder horns, and I really like the cutlass listed under the swords...

Dang! If the rest of that flintlock looks anything like what's in the little pic you posted, that is one beautiful weapon!

I like the "rocked out" first version. The Pirates House shown in the beginning of the video is the famous restaurant by that name in Savannah, GA. It is a truly wonderful place with excellent food, and is housed in an actual tavern building from the colonial era frequented by pirates. If you're ever in Georgia, I highly recommend paying a visit!

I think it is wonderful, Kendra, and I really, really like the soundtrack! Great job!

I'd be interested in seeing pics of this toolchest and news of your findings when you have a chance.

Aye, I'm proud my young grandson has taken a liking to them...

Very nice work, Captain Jim! Is the model based on archaeological information from the wreck?

Mine is Jeffrey, meaning "God's Peace".

Just perusing on-line and found this link detailing a bit of history for leather drinking vessels and other containers. Leather Drinking Vessels Here is a replica of a leather tavern mug or "blackjack" from 1700, right in our period, with the mark of the crown which signified that it held a full pint. Also, here is a pic of the official decree poster which required the vessels to be so marked.

So still no pics of how the axe turned out? I think it is an interesting and worthwhile project.

What about the costrels and other leather containers? It has always been my understanding that such ware was used well into our period and beyond? Somewhere I once read that they were still using leather blackjacks to drink from in English taverns in the 1800's...

Aye, I guess you could say that!

Oh man! That is an absolutely awesome site! Thanks so much for that link, William! I have been making leather tankards (or "blackjacks") for a number of years, but I really like the leather costrels shown on this site. I am going to try to make one of them! It would be a very authentic canteen, I think...

"Sea Kings" by Captain Bogg & Salty.

Just finished getting a military-short haircut in preparation for my pending trip to Iraq. Before that, I repaired a wooden seagull perched atop a post which sits on the front porch of my shop. He had previously fallen over and his leg broke off the post. I had to drill it out and make him a new leg. He's as good as new now.

About 68 degrees and sunny right now. A big difference from the highs of 46 and 48 with wind for the last couple of days...I'm ready for summer already!