Capt. Bo of the WTF co.

OK, I have access to publish photo's so here is the new impression so far: I hope this works...enjoy... Bo

Sorry, don't get to the library often these days. I have the grinder up and running, just came from the flea-market and scored some good primitive whetstones to go with the kit. Due to the recent sudden passing of my best friend and brother (who gave me the grinding wheel-stone) I just don't know if I'll ever get back into playing anymore. Kinda took the wind outta my sails so-to-speak. I have my application in to participate in the juried Trade Faire event at Fort de Chartres at the end of the month, but not sure if I will do it or not. If so, I'll see if anyone there will post some pic's of the set-up here. Not sure if I'll ever get out again now. "Big Ed" was my anchor in life, and without him I am adrift. Bo

Thanks to all, I will pass the condolences along to the rst of the WTF and co. Still in shock of the sudden death and trying to deal with all he left behind. We sent him off exactly as he wished, had onehelluva wake party, but that only helps for a little while. Bo

My best friend and brother "Big Ed" Herzer died last saturday. We had the same birthday, he was a year younger than me. Damn things are feggered up these days. Bo

Sorry to be late, sorry for the loss. Things got real crazy here. Liked him and will miss him at the Fort. Bo

Where away can this film be viewed/procured? Thanks... Bo

Ahoy William. The first link has photos, (nice ones too!), but the following two links only take me to the Google sign-in page. Any chance that can be fixed? I'd like to see some more if possible (even though I was there for the 2011 event, I have no photos of my own from that one). Thanks! Intro: I am a Golden Age scoundrel (recently turned 50 yrs of age), been on the pub since Feb. of 2006. Sometimes a river/lakes pyrate and smuggler. Always a man of questionable repute. bo

We just bought a nice looking rug with that old Persian type look, 7'3" X 5'4". We paid $27 brand new at the Big Lots store. This one went in our living room but I'm going back when tax refund arrives to get a couple more for our tents. At Menards or Lowes you can get real flaxen linen painters drop cloths very reasonable. A 9' X 12' is $18, they have other sizes too but I cannot remember off-hand. If you wash them in hot water they draw-up nice and tight, just dry them outside though, not in a dryer or they may unravel. The hems are less than well done but easily fixed at home. Bo

I was given a Rouges Gallery CD, otherwise would not have wasted any coin on it. There are maybe five decent cuts out of around thirty or so. If you chance to read the producers' commentary on the sleeve, you will see that he readily confesses to putting the project off until the last minute and doing a half-arse rush job to get it in by the deadline. The poor quality of the finished product is testimony to the producers' ineptness and lackluster attitude towards his job. The only one that I really like is the rendition of "g'Down yer Blood-Red Roses" with Sting (of The Police fame). Unless it doesn't cost you anything, you won't miss anything if you steer clear of it altogether. That is my not-at-all-humble but straight out opinion. Bo

Nope, but I don't have access to the net at home anymore and the library won't let me do it here. Something about liability/porn issues or some such trouble they had in the past. I am going with the stationary rig for now. I still would like to make the wheelbarrow rig, but I really like the impression of the scissors grinder with the pretty young lady seated in front of the grinder from the first page of this thread. Also, the grinder rig from the Whydah exhibit is a stationary rig. I am still in the design stages but will build the wheelbarrow rig so that all I will have to do is remove the wheel assembly and mount it on the frame so as to be interchangeable. Bo

I have completed the grinder and use it regularly. Deer season made for a great trial period as I and many of my neighbors were successful. I am getting much more proficient in its use as more people bring knives to me just to see it in use. I wish I had the ability to post photos, but will have to wait for an event whereby someone else will have to take and post them. I no longer have those capabilities at my disposal. Bo

Ahoy all, I was the one selected for Commodore Swab, I hope the package arrived timely and in good order. The U.S. Postal Service assured me it would be recieved by the 17th of December. There should have been a Spanish firesteel, a brass gunworm and vent-pick (copies of the Whydah artifacts), a lead ladle for casting musket-ball, and a gun worm for a1 1/4" bore. Hope they arrived safely and enjoyed. JollyJacktar: I really enjoy the blacksmith print and the keychain is going to be used for the period lock keys I have! Thanks so much! Bo

Embarrassed. I found the box of DMC goodies that were supposed to be sent before the event, still hiding in my workshop. My appologies. I had another unplanned visit to the infirmary and things got pretty upset around here again. I suppose I could send them in advance for next year though. Bo

Ahoy all, I sent my gifts out and they were supposed to be delivered by the 16th of Dec. to the recipient. I recieved mine in good order on the 22nd. I recieved a fine hand forged keychain and a very nice print of a Dutch blacksmith advertisement on laid linen paper. Well done Santa! Thank you and best wishes for a proserous new year. Didn't recognize the name of the sender, don't know who it could be but I really appreciate the hand-made items as treasures they are! Bo (I'm using the library computer)

Well, I wish all of us December born crewemates another year of wealth and health. I am still alive, not so well. This my "Golden Year" (if I don't die or get killed before the 26th). Visiting my sister and trying to help her out with remodeling the basement so thought I'd say "howdy" while I'm able. Getting old ain't fer sissies. Hope to see some of you in the spring if I make it. Bo

Peg- You're looking awesome! That wee powder monkey looks to be havin a great time of it too. I grew up in western tack, so these last five years have been a learning experience for me, but I am happy to say I have not (yet) been un-seated from either my Buena Vista, nor any of the three English saddles we now have (they're cheap around this part of the country). We just got an Argentine given to us. It looks exactly like the one from the Horatio Hornblower series that Hornblower rode in the French Revolution episode. It is qucikly becoming our favorite. William, I'll bet that was a big hit, your kit is museum quality to be sure! Well, we should be disconnected sometime this afternoon, but I'll try to slip in from a library when I can to say howdy. Bo

Took these a few minutes ago, went for a Halloween ride through the "neighborhood" in English tack with my colonial garb. What a beautiful day we had! Today is our last day on-line, so Happy Halloween everyone! Hope all winter well. Bo

Buenos dios y cumpleanos! Bo

I just recieved my copy of Flintlocks 101 by post. This is an amazing collection of knowledge it has taken me more than 20 years to learn on my own. Cascabel has done all of us a great service by compling this information into and easy to read and easy to teach format. Even though many of us know this stuff from our own experience, it is often that we are unable to articulate the knowledge to others or we leave things out by defaul;t (assuming "everyone knows this"...etc.). There are even a few things in here I didn't know, or did differently that have been erroneous or more time consuming. This guide will enable me to help others enter the world of flintlocks by having them sit at my table and read the guide before we ever load a cartridge. Anyone that is considering getting into flintlocks, or aiding others into the same needs to get a copy and use it, review it, and pass the knowledge forward. Thank you cascabel for the enormous effort and for producing a fine instrument for learning. As far as lesson plans go, you have recieved an 'A' for this assignment! I've seen seasoned teachers' lesson plans that don't come close to the necessary variables needed for an effective lesson. You should rightly be proud of this accomplishment. Bo

I typed in my last name and seached the trial proceedings link for fun. WOW! My kinfolk were there a lot! My favorite was from 1695 when one of my kin helped break out 8 or 9 men from a prison (he got away though!): Thomas Dunning, Owen Sullivan, Daniel Kane, Breaking Peace > riot, 3rd April 1695. Thomas Dunning , Owen Sullivan , and Daniel Kane alias Calligan were Indicted for a Misdemeanor, in making a Riot and an Assault upon one John Swift , the Provost Marshal of the Savoy Prison , and Rescuing several Prisoners there Committed for High Treason, done by them upon the high Seas . The Kings Counsel opened the Indictment to the Gentlemen of the Jury; and then John Swift was called, who being sworn, declared the whole matter, how that one Mr. Bradshaw and Dunning, came on the 21st of November last to the Savoy Prison, under a Pretence to speak with some of the Prisoners; and first they went both up Stairs, then Dunning came down into the Kitchen; and Bradshaw stayed a little time after him; and then came down and drank a little while and in the mean time Bradshaw seeing the Door opened to let a Woman out, he immediately struck up the Centinels heels, and cryed out, Come Boys, come, now is your Time; so they all came tumbling down, and had lik'd all to have made their Escape, but only 8 or 9 got away with Mr. Bradshaw who is not yet taken; and one was killed by a Centinel coming out at the Door. As to Dunning it was sworn against him, that he had a Pistol about him, and above 20 Bullets, and a Powder-horn, and a Knife was found in his Pocket, but he had conveyed the Pistol into a Tub of water that was in the Kitchen, which he owned to be his: As for the other two, there was no positive Evidence that Kane was concerned; so he was Acquitted , but Sullivan and Dunning were both found Guilty of the Riot. Here is the image opf the original page/entry: http://www.oldbailey...doc=16950403004 This is a fun way to pass time away. Enjoy... Bo

If this has been posted before, please forgive the repeat. I was cleaning out my data before going off-line Monday and found this website stashed away in one of my files: http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/ If you are interested in trials and such there are thousands of entries here. Bo

You might also contact Fort DeChartres or some other location that offers cannon school, get their guidlelines/information and forward that along. It always helps if you offer solutions along with grievances. Bo

The National Geopraphic film on the discovery of the Quedah Merchant (Kidd's ship) is very well done and also goes into some detail about the off-loading of captured cargo. I recommend viewing that. Our local library has a copy, you may want to check with your local branch. http://archaeology.about.com/od/ancientcivilizations/ss/expedition_week_4.htm Bo

Don't forget the colony of Rhode Island. Their entire economic structure was based upon smuggling and privateering before, during, and after the GAoP. I didn't save any of the info I looked up, from a university reseach paper id did a couple years back, but there is a lot of stuff on Rhode Island and clandestine trade on historical websites from there and the surrounding New England states available. Bo P.S. - I put a link in a thread tagged "smuggling" I think, some time ago. There was some very good information in that web article on smuggling. if you are any good using the search here, you might look at that as well. P.S.S. - I found this book in my links: http://books.google.com/books?id=4PkLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA153&lpg=PA153&dq=colonial+rhode+island+piracy+and+trade&source=bl&ots=oBfLjRXnoO&sig=ezLO_sq1fQxV-gr4lSTQBPbxUCM&hl=en#v=onepage&q=colonial%20rhode%20island%20piracy%20and%20trade&f=false There are a LOT more references to piracy and clandestine trade, my main search topic was, I believe< "colonial rhode island piracy and trade". Hope this will help you some.

I'll bite. Of all the forums I have frequented or become a member of this is the only one that has managed to hold my attention, even though I no longer do anything related to GAoP. Other forums I have been involed in have become venomous pits of vipers with a select group of a chosen few who's opinions and information are the only ones allowed without snarky and downright rude comments to anyone who dares challenge or offer information they did not approve of. I say you are more than capable of shining brightly on your own without subjecting yourself and your family to the current trend of holier-than-thou personnas on the various websites. But then I am more than a little biased and burnt-out on the hobby websites. Bo