Coastie04

Likewise for me, I'll have a toast o' water or the likes, but we get underway for our last day of TSTA (lots of drills). It's kind of fitting, tomorrow will be our biggest battle yet before we set sail on the long voyage back to Alaska. Here's to ye an' the brave Nelson Coastie

Found this more recent pic of the schooner. She's looking better and they're awaiting bids to make new spars to re-rig her. Even more photos of the dismasting and efforts to save all spars and sails, as well as commentary are available here Coastie

http://www.iccwbo.org/home/news_archives/2...t%20Oct2002.asp Coastie :angry:

Just found this page with good photos of the wreckage. Looking at the transom and the spar that went through it, it's a good thing that nobody was standing on the leewared side. when the rig failed. Seamanship brought the boat to port safely, but luck prevented casualties. Coastie

I just came across this horrible image on the Pride's website. Some of you may have heard already, since it is a bit dated, but I've been underway much of the last month and haven't had much in the way of current news. It's an aweful sight. I did a search for more info and found a series of pictures here and some more info here. Luckily (and miraculously) no one was injured. Looking at the deck and how little room there is between all that wreckage, it truely is amazing. Granted, the pictures were taken after they collected all of the rigging and piled it on deck for the motor back to port. Best of luck to all the crew in putting her back together! Coastie

OK, I think Blackbeard's life would make a great story. Now for the more important question...who would you like to see play them? I think I'd like some no-name actor personally, to add at least a little to the authentic feel instead of someone people recognize right away. Coastie

I'd have to disagree with this. Many terrorists as we know them today are politically motivated as well. Take the IRA for example. Although they've gone under the radar a bit since 9/11, they are politically motivated terrorists (or freedom fighters, revolutionaries, etc). Many pirates had political ties and motivations. Drake is a good example of this. Also, privateers (similar enough to pirates for this example: many 'terrorists' today are sanctioned by some form of government) use many of the same tactics as pirates and attack innocent merchantmen who happen to be sailing under an 'enemy' flag. Though more localized, this is more a matter of logistics and technology. Back then, pirates couldn't just hop on a flight from the American colonies to Britain to blow up a dock. However, that's a matter of tools, not tactics. The tactic of terror, while not the only trick used of course, was definitely employed when possible. Coastie

The Constitution is a must. The Boston Tea Party Ship is a wreck and can be skipped without missing much. In fact, it was kind of a sad sight to see, especially with it's potential. There's lots of good history in that town, such as the Old North Church and Breed's Hill (Bunker Hill Monument). I'd also recommend the Black Rose (I think that's what it's called), an Irish pub downtown near Quincy Market. Quincy Market's not a bad place to go if you like streetside entertainers, good food, and lots of tourist crap. That's all I can think of off the top of my head. It's been a while since I was there and it's a good ways around the world from my current location in Hawaii. Have fun. Coastie

I've heard a modernized version of 'Beggar Man' as a bonus track on an album. Unfortunately, I can't recall it right now, but I think it was by Great Big Sea (though don't quote me on that). Coastie

Long time doesn't necessarily make it more accurate for this. It could be that a longer time would pull the chip log more and it could gain some momentum. Also, there's the issue of more resistance for the spool of line and the extra force required to get a larger, heavier spool to start spinning. Generally, I've seen 15, 28, and 30 seconds used. If the boat's really going fast, they'd use the shorter glass instead of a longer line. The other method of telling how fast the ship's going is to drop something that floats at the bow and time it until it passes the transom. Then, the proper conversions can be used to find speed. Coastie

OK, BBC and ABC have jumped on the bandwagon for this story. Looks like there is at least a claim being made. If it really is pirate treasure, then I think the fair thing would be to distribute it among all the pirates. I won't hold my breath for my share, though. ABC online BBC News Coastie

Try www.chivalry.com/cantaria. They've got a lot of old songs on mp3 and wav format. Quite a few either are or could be used as sea shanties. Coastie

I propose that on Sunday, 01 May, all available pirates spend the day at Mystic Seaport. If any of you have never been there, you're missing out. Hopefully by then, I'll be sporting the new sword I'm currently making at Mystic Seaport's shipsmith shop. This would be followed by moving to downtown Mystic to a great Irish pub, the Harp and the Hound. Every Sunday night they have sea shanties, and participation is strongly encouraged. I know the bartender fairly well (I'm turning in to a local there!) and could probably reserve a good table if there'd be enough of us. I'm going to look in to discounts for the costumed persons at Mystic, but would like an approximate number first. Please let me know by replying to this post if you'll be able to make it and how many would be going. FOR THOSE WHO DIDN'T WANT TO READ THE WHOLE THING: Fun day of wandering around old tall ships at Mystic Seaport followed by rowdy drinking and singing at a great pub. Let me know. Coastie P.S. In mid-May, I'll be leaving New England to hone my shipdriving skills on the rocky shores of Alaska, so this will probably be the last time I'll be going pirate for a couple of years, especially with all the friends I've made around here. So, let's party

Yes, Mingulay is a great one. I'm also a big fan of Westering Home, but to mention all the sea shanties that I like would take forever, so I limited my selections a bit. Lorien: I love the lyrics, though I've never heard it before. Is it an adaptation to a popular tune (some of the lyrics reminded me of Yarmouth Town), or does it have an original melody? Coastie

O' course, they be great standards... Johnny Jump Up Come and listen, I'll tell you what happened to me One day as I went down to Cork by the sea The day it was hot and the sun it was warm, So says I a quiet pint wouldn't do me no harm I went in and I called for a bottle of stout Says the barman, I'm sorry, all the beer is sold out Try whiskey or paddy, ten years in the wood Says I, I'll try cider, I've heard it was good. Chorus: Oh never, Oh never, Oh never again If I live to be a hundred or a hundred and ten I fell to the ground and I couldn't get up After drinking a quart of the Johnny Jump Up Ahhh... After downing the third I went out to the yard Where I bumped into Brody, the big civic guard Come here to me boy, don't you know I'm the law? Well, I up with me fist and I shattered his jaw He fell to the ground with his knees doubled up But it wasn't I hit him, 'twas Johnny Jump Up The next thing I remember down in Cork by the sea Was a cripple on crutches and says he to me I'm afraid of me life I'll be hit by a car Won't you help me across to the Celtic Knot Bar? After drinking a quart of that cider so sweet He threw down his crutches and danced on his feet Chorus... I went down the lee road, a friend for to see They call it the madhouse in Cork by the Sea Well when I got there, sure the truth I will tell, They had this poor bugger locked up in a cell Said the guard, testing him, say these words if you can Around the rugged rock the ragged rascal ran Tell him I'm not crazy, tell him I'm not mad It was only a sip of the bottle I had Chorus... A man died in the mines by the name of McNabb They washed him and laid him outside on the slab Well after the parlors measurements did take His wife brought him home to a bloody fine wake Twas about 12 o'clock and the beer was high The corpse sits up and says with a sigh I can't get to heaven, they won't let me up Til I bring them a quart of the Johnny Jump Up Chorus... So if ever you go down to Cork by the sea Stay out of the ale house and take it from me If you want to stay sane don't you dare take a sup Of that devil drink cider called Johnny Jump Up Chorus... (x2) Jolly Rovin' Tar Ships may come and ships may go As long as the sea does roll. Each sailor lad just like his dad, He loves the flowing bowl. A trip on shore he does adore With a girl that's nice and round. When the money's all gone It's the same old song, ``Get up Jack! John, sit down!'' Chorus: Come along, come along, You jolly brave boys, There's plenty of grog in the jar. We'll plough the briny ocean With the jolly roving tar. When Jack gets in, it's then he'll steer For some old boarding house. They'll welcome him with run and gin, They'll feed him on pork scouse. He'll lend and spend and not offend Till he's lyin' drunk on the ground When the money's all gone It's the same old song, ``Get up Jack! John, sit down!'' He then will sail aboard a ship Bound for some foreign shore When he gets there, the ladies fair The sailors do adore. He'll go ashore and on a tear He'll buy some girl a gown. When the money's all gone It's the same old song, ``Get up Jack! John, sit down!'' When Jack gets old and weatherbeat, Too old to roam about, In some rum shop, they'll let him stop Till eight bells calls him out. He'll raise his eyes up to the skies, Sayin' ``Boys, we're homeward bound.'' When the money's all gone It's the same old song, ``Get up Jack! John, sit down!'' I have to admit, I love both of these songs, but I'm still quite a fan of Rolling Down to Old Maui Coastie

HUZZAH!!! I just heard myself. On the Lady Washington Website, they mentioned that "The folks at LAMI have completed the difficult task of re-floating Irving Johnson. She floats on her lines and with some TLC from the shipwrights in Ventura, the Irving will sail again soon." Congrats to all those involved, and I'm glad she did not face the same fate of so many before her. Coastie

I don't know if this is old news, especially to those out on the west coast, but after the Irving Johnson ran agound, I began thinking of that fine little schooner Larinda again. In tracking down her wherabouts (she was refloated and sold at auction), I came across some interesting info at www.larinda.com. It appears that the Hawaiian Chieftain will be renamed the Spirit of Larinda and sail on in loving hands. They plan on operating their program again by May of this year. Coastie

Nice, I needed that today. Coastie

And at 220 feet, I believe she holds the record for tallest mast height in the world. Being aloft on Eagle a few years back pulling into Boston, I must assert that 220 feet is MUCH greater than 147' Coastie

Where be those pictures, mate? I'm anxiously awaiting 'em. Coastie

They were not named in the article I read. They were just reported by a fisherman and intercepted by the local authorities (can't remember off the top of my head who intercepted them, but it wasn't the Revenue Cutter Service; I think it was a state-run coastal defense/police force). All it said about them was that they caught a pirate schooner. Apparently they had recently turned to piracy and may not have even committed any acts of piracy when caught. Unfortunately, there were no names given. Maybe I'll go back and copy the rest of the article some time today and post it here in a few days. We'll see. Coastie

Thanks for the info, Bess. Another reason for me to celebrate this week Coastie

I was loitering in the Coast Guard Academy museum last week while my room was being painted, and came across an interesting article in a newspaper from 1841. In an article discussing the capture of a pirate off New Orleans, it describes the flag flown and prints the articles in their entirity (except for the names of the signatories, unfortunately). Unfortunately, half of the Articles were obstructed by another newspaper, but just today I asked the curator if there was a way I could copy down the rest of the article. The suction cups and other tools were gathered to open up the case. The library (only a 50'-70' room) is usually deserted, and they left me there in front of this open case and went back to the office area. I copied the rest of the article (I'll get to it, but the rest of this story is interesting as well), and then drooled over the other things in this display case. There was an 18th century cutlass, a model 1841 cutlass, and a model 1860 cutlass, two sea service pistols (one brass-barrel flintlock: the standard 1756 pattern, the other a steel-barrel caplock: the 1756 pattern's replaceemnt). Furthermore, there was Hopley Yeaton's rifle (all 6-7 feet of it) and one of his uniforms. Damn my honor and integrity! Damn whoever invented fingerprint identification! On to the meaty stuff... From the Salem Register, June 17th 1841: The description said that the flag was "a blue field with death's head and marrow bones in white, in the center." The articles stated "We, the undersigned, being the children of nature, have lawfully and wholly as much right to enjoy her in all her stores, as any who is of woman born; but being deprived of all these blessings by the artful design of those who possess in more than superabundance the stores that were intended for all,m we are compelled to come forward, protest against all the world, and thus obtain our rights. From this day we declare war upon the world, and with the same treatment as her children would use us now, were we in their possession, we will use them; as no quarters are offered us, none can be expected. We do, and have formed a constitution this day, for the better regulation of ourselves, knowing it to be for our mutual benefit, and as order and safety be concerned, we are bound to ourselves and to one another. Our tie is cemented wiht blood, and nothing less than blood will propoitiate and atone for any of us who act contrary to our laws. Death being the warrent knell of all those who in times of action shall, through cowardice, negligence, or disaffection, hield, cause others to yield, or cry for quarters." Coastie

Congrats, Royaliste. Does this mean you got the foreign-hull waiver to make money with your fine little Canadian (if I'm not mistaken) boat? Also, in the case that I get assigned to Alameda for my first tour (I find out my billet in two days ), could that fine little hull possibly be at least a temporary place of residence for a newly commissioned Coast Guard butter-bar? As long as it's less expencive than alternative living arangements, I'd be happy to do my share of work and even pay a modest rent. Not to mention providing an extra hand for sailing whenever possible Coastie

I figure I'll lend my few observations. I'm definitely not an expert in period clothing, but have been following many of the recent clothing threads and feel there are some interesting points. First of all, there's buckles on the shoes, but the tab on the side of the shoe on the boy to the right leads me to believe that it was a functional buckle, and not a removable decoration as was mentioned before. However, the boy on the right appears to have left and right shoes. I was under the impression that in the gaop, that the shoes were generally straight-laced. As for the stick that the boy on the right is holding, could it be nothing more than a fancy walking stick? It appears that he's using it for some support and some diseases back then could easily have forced someone such as that to use a cane. On the top of it, there appears to be a lanyard hanging down from what could be no more than a carved handle. What I can't explain, though, are the disks (for lack of a better word) near the top and bottom. All I can imagine they're for is either decoration of some sort, or some practical purpose that I cannot pin down, like not falling through slits in a dock or something. The boy on the right seems much better dressed than the shoeless one, so is it possible that his family had enough money to allow him to care for some childhood disease that left him with the need to use a cane in style? Now for a question. What do you suppose that stripe on the right side boy's upper arm is? It appears to be a bandana/ribbon or something either tied or sewn onto the jacket. Was this a style, or was it possibly identifying him as belonging to a ship, being the Captain's aide, or something of that nature? Coastie