Coastie04

Watch out for the dog's bones... Coastie

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Just add water. Coastie

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This topic pretty much has summed up why I like pyracy. I don't have historically accurate garb, though I personally am striving for more and more authenticity. It's a slow process. But I'm also happy with what I have and can pass as an easily recognizable pirate. Though my garb is more 1750's (give or take about two decades), I also have the classic 1850's cutlass (as well as others), 1750's Sea Service Pistol, modern shoes that pass as period...kind of-just because of the rest of my garb. I have a shirt and pants that my mother made for me about 10 years ago or so that have pine-tar stains and a few patch jobs. Sure, they were from a historical pattern, machine made with modern fabrics (before I knew much or even cared about historical accuracy), but they look the part and will due until I get around to finding a more accurate shirt that I like. Still, I have shared rounds and had a blast with 'stitch nazi' pirates, fantasy pirates, and college students that just think piracy is cool. Sometimes, all in the same group! It's the attitude of 'who cares, as long as you're having fun' combined with the willingness to help someone who wants to be historical that makes pirates the best companions. Coastie

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And then there are those pirates who just simply don't have the means to get to a festival. I'm in the Coast Guard and stationed in Alaska. Heck, a plane ticket just to Seattle costs over $500! However, I do know of at least three pirates in the Sitka area (besides me). Two have converted their house into a complete pirate theme. They live on Pirate Lane and also own 'Smuggler's Cove Storage' and have authentic Russian 19th Century cannons outside their house. I was fortunate enough to get a tour, and anybody who ever saw it would be completely floored by the work that's gone into it. It's more fantasy piracy, but even hardcore reinactors would appreciate the style. The other pirate lives on his own island near town. I met him at the local sushi place on just another normal day, and he was wearing pirate garb. Again, not really historical, but there was no doubt what he was. I pointed him in the way of this pub, but he's probably one of the non-member lurkers in the darkness. Unfortunately, I haven't seen him around lately. But, that's all in a little isolated town in Alaska, and I'm sure some of the local fishermen probably have piratical ways. There's also a slew of 'outlaw cabins' that can provide outstanding hideouts in the wilderness. Coastie

That kind of sounds like a Pamela Anderson trick. It actually sounds like it could look rather dashing, if done properly (or improperly, as it is a man's coat worn too small). I'd love to see that as well! As for Bonney and Reade, I heard somewhere (I'm bad at remembering sources off the top of my head), like Kass, that their crew was oblivious, at least until they were accepted as crew. It would make sense, especially with the sailors' superstition that women were bad luck onboard ships. However, in a crowded vessel, it would be hard to keep that kind of seceret indefinitely, so it wouldn't be surprising if the crew began to suspect something. Especially with Anne and Jack's eventual relationship. Probably better for a captain to admit that one of the crew was a woman than that he likes cabin boys. Obviously, once the cat was out of the bag with the crew, switching to women's clothes ashore could also be a good disguise. As for switching into men's clothes during time of battle, I think that could be a little far fetched. Even just helping to sail the vessel would be hard in women's clothes. Unless they were planning on using their dresses as proof that they did not commit piracy, but were just captives on the vessel. But, that's pure speculation. Coastie

Nope, I'll see it as soon as I can when I reach port. I'm due to be underway when it opens. Coastie

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Definitely fun to speculate about that. Coastie

A long, long time ago, I think it was a NQG email newsletter that mentioned it, though it may have been the website itself. I'm pretty sure I found it before Jamaica Rose personally told me about it, but I could be mistaken. It's been a while (hence the member number 27). Coastie

It's best with the aresol cans, especially if there's a bit of pressurization left. Coastie

A gaff rigged schooner, the Californian (replica of the C.W. Lawrence from the 1850s, so a bit later than GAoP) has 6 lb cannons. However, she's a fairly big schooner anyway, with an overall length of 145 ft and length on deck of 93.5 ft. The original Lady Washington (1750 era) was fitted out with two 3 lb cannons and two 6 lb cannons, as well as some swivels. I don't recall off the top of my head if that was during her privateering days, or (more likely) for her voyage to the west coast. It would probably depend a bit on the actual ship design (what cannons would fit where) and what was available. A small vessel can hold a big gun, but unless reinforced, the frames might not be able to withstand the recoil. Also a consideration is stability. Too much weight up high could cause the ship to capsize in heavy weather (or even calm weather...see the fate of the Wasa). Also, bigger guns meant more powder needed to be used for each shot, shot would take up more space, and more people were needed to man the guns. So although a pirate vessel might run heavily armed, that would probably entail a few 3-4 lb cannons, but maybe up to 6 lb, and an array of swivels and small arms. I've seen diagrams for up to 8 swivels and two cannons along the Lady Washington's rail (65 ft on deck and originally a sloop). However, the powder and shot needed to use all of them would seriously decrease the amount of room for cargo. Merchant ships would often go much less armed, with a couple of swivels and maybe a pair of small cannons. Coastie

I'd go with a brace of pistols and a cutlass. For anyone, I would suggest one or more firearms, and some sort of melee weapon (sword, boarding axe, belaying pin, bagpipes). With my Sea Service Pistol (1750 style), I can hit a torso-sized target at 15-20 yds almost all the time. However, in combat, I would probably stick to around 5-10 yds because 1) the target's moving, 2) I'd have more adrenalyn, and 3) I probably wouldn't worry too much about enemies farther than 10 yds from me if there was anyone close by. The cannons/swivel guns would be pre-boarding equipment to either kill crew (grape shot) or disable/slow down the vessel (chain shot). If I were outmatched or being chased, I wouldn't hesitate to break out the solid shot. However, a fast and maneuverable ship could be a weapon: rake her stern so that what cannon shots you put into the ship do more damage. Really, it all depends on the situation. If it were pouring down rain, I probably wouldn't bother with the pistols. If the prize was better armed with cannon, I might use more round shot and go for their gun deck. There are so many variables that it's hard to say 'this is what I'd use'. Then again, it also depends on what's available. If some ship snuck up at night and boarded us, I'd grab the nearest belaying pin or marlin spike. Coastie