Coastie04

Right words? In a sea shanty??? Please! I've heard at least four different versions of Spanish Ladies that are 'traditional'. I can think of a version for 'Yankee Whalermen' and one for 'Canadian Fishermen'. I would highly doubt that there is no version for the Australian trade, and I've heard a more modern version about pirates. Just as long as the words fit, it's right. Coastie

A simple, sharp blade with a simple wooden handle. It's usefull, and actually looks good with a pirate outfit. A home-made leather sheath for it helps, too. I personally have a buck knife with leather sheath and a (fake) bone handle. It also has a bit of brass on it, which makes it somewhat fancy, and I've used some seine twine to make a lanyard for it. Coastie

For some traditional songs put to more modern sounding music, I'd suggest Great Big Sea. Especially their 'Rant and Roar' CD has a lot of traditional songs. There's also the piratical music groups, such as the Bilge Pumps, Corsairs, and Jolly Rogers. I know there's a few more out there, but I know and like these groups. Glenn Yarbrourgh's CD titled 'Chantyman' is full of great shanties, and he has a very soothing voice to go with it. Broadsides is a great group, though I kind of prefer their predecessor, Saint Elmo's Choir. I think they're only out on tape, though, but it is definitely a great one. Trapper, just out of curiosity, is that the Lady's rigging behind you? Also, were you at the shanty sing last Friday at the Wawona? Coastie

On that last shot, it looks as if the Lady's backing up for a rake of your stern. Without drastic maneuvering (which I know is standard for those battle sails) you'd be tastin' her iron in a minute. Coastie

Try some o' these: Mighty Guppy Juvenile Delinquent (and calling her JD for short wouldn't be half bad either) Half Guinea Arrrgh And don't forget the host of bumper stickers you could stick on her transom: 'My other ship...SANK!' 'Just a model' 'Size doesn't matter' Of the two suggested, I'll have to agree with Thadius Drake, go with Jolly Rancher. Though, Jolly Roger wouldn't be an innapropriate name, either. Coastie

Flour, salt, water. Mix flour and salt together, adding water as necessary to create the dough. Pound flat on a pan with a wooden mallet. Bake at 350 degrees until hard. Keeps well.

Arrrgh! I'll not be attendin' this one. I be leavin' fer me homeport on t' 5th. I'll be back one o' these days... Coastie

Nice, definitely makes me want to take her as a prize Coastie

From Ageofsail.com, this must be one of the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport's longboats. They're the same group that runs the Lady Washington. This boat is the Capt. Matt Peasely. I forgot the others' name, but it's shown below. Coastie

Packing? You mean you actually bring a change of clothes?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that one of GHHSA's longboats? Coastie

For general sea battles, I prefer a combination amongst me crew. Cannon, o' course fer th' long range stuff. Especially with bar or chain shot t' take out th' riggin'. Then, sharpshooters in th' tops t' take out them well-dressed, snooty officer types. Closin' in, I'd order grape an' cannister from th' cannons and swivel guns. Throw a few grenades and fire some small-arms as the ships come t'gether, then BOARDERS AWAY!!! Longer arms, such as boarding pikes and axes would be usefull for the initial assault, but a cutlass in one hand, and a pistol in the other would be my choice. In the absense of a pistol, then I'd probably resort to a belaying pin, or whatever else was within my reach. Cutlass is definitely a must, though. I especially like the 1860's style (yes, I know it's a late-period one, but it has such a classic look). Coastie

As for those in the Tower Armories, they at least got all the arms in a single display the same...and there were many. I uploaded some of the pictures on to the gallery here. Coastie

Let THEM eat cake...

Or, if you prefer the 'new latin'... Onglay Oatbay Entay Oarsay Katosay Apheskay For the newer one, Afgay Iggedray Allersmay Oatbay OK, in all seriousness, where be ye located? Coastie

If you want really easy, find a white(ish), baggy shirt. It's amazing what changing the buttons on it will do to the look. Get a wide leather belt, preferably in brown or black. Have some dirty cotton pants in brown or black, or stripes if you can find some like that. The more it's old and worn out, the better. Keep the top of the shirt open, maybe get a bandana (I made mine out of an old, solid color t-shirt that was past it's prime. I just cut a large triangle with a knife. One of these days I'll finish the edges with a bit of needle and thread, but it works fine for now). Walmart has some wood or fake-bone handled knifes. It's not exactly period proper, usually, but most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference. It's amazing what a leather sheath and some fancy knots for a lanyard will do to make it saltier. Then, either go barefoot, get some old looking leather sandles, or black boots. There's been a few threads on boots. I know lots of people that got most of their costume at Salvation Army type stores. It may not be exactly period proper, but it will definitely give the impression of old style clothing. Swords and pistols also help. Coastie

OK, great looking guns, but I have a few questions-especially for anyone familiar with CT state gun laws. First of all, how much was this fine piece, and how much is that sea service pistol that was mentioned? Second, do you need any pistol permit for a black powder firearm? Lastly, does it need to be shipped to an FFL? Thinking o' getting me somethin' along the lines o' this gun, and Loyalist Arms sounds like a reliable dealer. Coastie

On the subject, wasn't there a certain gay pirate that went by Pierre the Pansy Pirate? I seem to remember hearing somewhere that he was a historical figure from around the time of Bonney/Reade. All I remember is that he was a dress maker with piracy on the side. However, I've not read about him before, so I could also be completely off my rocker. Coastie

What I was referring to is commonly called a brigantine nowadays. An old term is hermaphrodite brig because it is a cross between a brig and a schooner. A crew member called it a hermaphrodite schooner. Pretty much, it's called a brigantine nowadays, but was also called a hermaphrodite brig or a half-brig as well. Coastie

The boat pictured is the Norfolk Rebel. She's classified as a "tugantine." I've seen other pictures of her actually flying a spinnaker!!! It's really one of the most unusual boats I've ever heard of (though unfortunately I've yet to see her myself). Apparently, she is a working tug and fishing vessel. The sails have saved her money in fuel, and even added power when towing on occasion. If my memory serves me correctly, she often saves up to 30% of her fuel consumption with her auxiliary sails. Coastie

Well, I sail the Lady Washington, of course, and have also sailed the schooner Adventuress out of Port Townsend, WA. On the east coast, I've sailed USCGC Eagle, Sound Waters once, Liberty Schooner and Western Union from Key West, and the Bat'kiv'shchyna from the Ukraine (when she was on the east coast after OpSail 2000). Additionally, I've seen a hermaphrodite brig called the Black Pearl (long before the movie) a few times, the Sound Waters (three-masted schooner from Greenport, NY), all the ships at Mystic Seaport (Joseph Conrad, L. A. Dunton, Charles W. Morgan primarily), seen the Europa from a distance, fought with the Hawaiian Chieftain against the Californian and Swift of Ipswitch, raced against the Brilliant, and sailed next to the Zodiac. Just last week, I was privilaged enough to see the Cutty Sark, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, HMS Mary Rose (what's left of her), and a replica of the Golden Hinde. They were all great experiences, but as of right now, I don't have the time to elaborate on them all. Definitely fun times, though. Coastie

Speaking of which... Coastie

I have to admit, I like the Knights Templar theories as well (I've heard at least two). I've heard that it's the burried treasure of the Knights Templar that was never found, or that it's a religious artifact. Supposedly the keystone to one of the great pyramids was used as a cornerstone for Solomon's temple, and it had great powers. So, they may just find rocks. As for anything that has reportedly been unearthed there, such as the gold chain, etc., I'm highly skeptical. I don't believe that any of the artifacts (confirmed) are still around today for examination. Another one I've heard is that the American Government has already found the treasure, and it's being hidden in some government warehouse. This is more fun than Kennedy assassination theories. Coastie

I just thought it was a fun movie to watch. Great costumes, and from what I've heard, they are still worn by some reinactors who purchased them after the movie came out. It was a classic swashbuckler, but I also agree that the acting wasn't the best. Oh well, it's fun to watch anyway. Coastie

I also recommend Great Big Sea. They have a more modern style, but most of their songs are "proven classics", ie folk music. Many of them are sea shanties (you'd have never guessed by their name). They've become quite popular, so you'd probably be able to find them in your nearest CD store. Coastie