hurricane

I had a nightmare like that -- a bunch of Jacks all in the same place. The only place I would ever really want to see the likes of that is in a poker hand in Vegas. Good times... -- Hurricane

Others can gladly step forward. I won't hand my gun off to any child that is a stranger to me. In this sue happy world of ours, I won't risk my home or business for a moment of recklessness. Accidents do happen, usually when it seems the most harmless (anyone ever watch a friend get their fingers blow off with a seemingly innocuous firecracker?) and my crewe will not be a party to it. -- Hurricane

I'm not sure the fort would want the liability of letting a child fire a gun. We all go through safety checks and we all have certain rules we have to follow. While I let my own kid fire my doglock off in my yard, I would be loathe to handle a loaded weapon to a stranger. There is always a chance that the weapon will misfire... I've seen barrels of seemingly fine weapons suddenly explode before... not really good publicity for the event. -- Hurricane

We certainly all have the manpower (or pirate power) available to help out and come up with some great stuff. I think it's a grand idea. I know there are two in my crewe that are planning to teach the kids how to be proper militia -- putting them through all the drills in a semi-crazed version of Simon Sez... -- Hurricane

I think all the ideas are terrific. However, since the Bone Island crew was in charge of the games there last year, I would check that we don't steal their thunder or create things that conflict with what they're doing. -- Hurricane

Yeah, just in time for me to take a turn with them in Port Royal as a break in. Thanks for the date update. -- Hurricane

A small ship's wheel can be purchased on ebay and retrofitted to the column. I did this on an art car many years ago. However, this type of wheel is illegal in many states because of the safety issue of catching a sleeve on one of the pegs and crashing. So you'd best check on the local laws first. -- Hurricane

So true, but the fair Diosa isn't enamored with the idea. And when the Crewe's Director ain't happy, the Captain ain't happy... trust me on that one. -- Hurricane

Good thoughts, Mission. I would agree. For us, we created a very good replica of a period pub of 1680 and we played period games, ate period food and educated visitors on what life was like in Port Royal at the time. This year, we'll be doing the same and adding even more education, including perspectives on politics of the time and the buccaneer/pirate trade going on in town. That said, we happen to be a crewe all year round here in Florida. We found it pretty hard for us to rein in our collective personalities that we use all year long to play by the book for the four days we're at PiP. I do Sir Henry Morgan here in FL quite regularly during the year but I can't hold that for two days, let along three. Eventually I just snap because it's not as fun for me as it is to be Hurricane. So this year, I will be the owner of the pub along with my lovely wife. We will be more ourselves, but versed in all things period for education purposes. But when we're out on the grounds visiting with fellow pirates and visitors, we'll be our old selves that we are all year long. That seems to suit us best and keeps my 20 little crewmates from strangling the captain with their period stays. -- Hurricane

As noted elsewhere you can certainly freelance as a pirate. There are lots of people their that don't do period re-enactment... and the public who comes in costume certainly aren't PC (period correct). Me, I straddle the genres because I like to play as much as I like to educate the public. If I was to play a real buccaneer, I would be wearing an leather apron covered with dried blood and animal remnants - not really something the public wants to hang around. So we fudge a bit here and there in our camp... hey, it's a 1680s tavern... no shoes, no shirts - no problem. -- Hurricane

He said roughly six to eight weeks, depending when he had enough orders to send overseas and the time it takes to check the orders on his end. -- Hurricane

Here's one from the mid to late 1600's from Holme's work. Brace and bit XXIV. He beareth a Brace and Bit. This hath several denominations as I find amongst Workmen; for of some it is termed a Brace, others a Wimble, others a Wimble Brace, and a Vambrace; in London it is generally termed a Piercer. It is used in Boring of Holes to drive Wooden Pins through Mortesses and Tennants in joyners work. -- Hurricane

I posted this elsewhere but thought it would be better under Captain Twill. Here's another life sucker for you all! It's the Dictionary of Trade Goods - 1550 - 1820. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.aspx?pubid=739 4,000 entries about trade and retail things in every day life. An sample entry for the ladies. Shift An article of APPAREL; a body garment of LINEN, COTTON or the like and in early use applied indifferently to men's and women's underclothing but subsequently to a woman only. During the seventeenth century it began to replace the earlier name of SMOCK, apparently because it was seen as a more 'delicate' expression. In the nineteenth the garment was again renamed from the same motive, as a 'chemise'. One retailer had 'A p'cell of shift Buttons' [inventories (1690)]. The term does not appear in the OED online, but presumable a shift button was similar to a SHIRT BUTTON, and was designed to fasten a shift at the neck. Instructions on how to cut out a shift economically using only 2 ELL of HOLLAND instead of the usual 2 Ell ¼ were given in an anonymous pamphlet dated 1695 and entitled the 'Way to save Wealth' [Anon (1695)]. It is noticeable that SCISSORS were needed very little in this operation. OED online earliest date of use: 1598 Found described as FINE, FLAXEN, GIRL, OLD, READY MADE Found describing BUTTON Found made of CALICO, HOLLAND, TEAR OF HEMP, WOOL Found in units of DOZEN Sources: Acts, Diaries, Inventories (mid-period), Inventories (late), Newspapers, Tradecards. References: Anon (1695).

Here's another life sucker for you all! It's the Dictionary of Trade Goods - 1550 - 1820. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.aspx?pubid=739 4,000 entries about trade and retail things in every day life. An entry for the ladies about us: Shift An article of APPAREL; a body garment of LINEN, COTTON or the like and in early use applied indifferently to men's and women's underclothing but subsequently to a woman only. During the seventeenth century it began to replace the earlier name of SMOCK, apparently because it was seen as a more 'delicate' expression. In the nineteenth the garment was again renamed from the same motive, as a 'chemise'. One retailer had 'A p'cell of shift Buttons' [inventories (1690)]. The term does not appear in the OED online, but presumable a shift button was similar to a SHIRT BUTTON, and was designed to fasten a shift at the neck. Instructions on how to cut out a shift economically using only 2 ELL of HOLLAND instead of the usual 2 Ell ¼ were given in an anonymous pamphlet dated 1695 and entitled the 'Way to save Wealth' [Anon (1695)]. It is noticeable that SCISSORS were needed very little in this operation. OED online earliest date of use: 1598 Found described as FINE, FLAXEN, GIRL, OLD, READY MADE Found describing BUTTON Found made of CALICO, HOLLAND, TEAR OF HEMP, WOOL Found in units of DOZEN Sources: Acts, Diaries, Inventories (mid-period), Inventories (late), Newspapers, Tradecards. References: Anon (1695). -- Hurricane

There are other works that cover the same ground. The best is Pawson and Bruisseret's "Port Royal, Jamaica." It's very complete, right down to who owned what when there. The 1952 "Historic Port Royal "is a good overview. Most of this is a little early for GAoP. After the earthquake, Port Royal was never the same. It's safe to say that any book that covers merchants and shops in London would be accurate for Jamaica as well into the early 1700s. If you want a good tome on the Sunken City, I'd recommend either of Bob Marx's books. He'll be over at the house to speak to our crewe in April -- I'll ask him for other definitive reference works that we may be able to get our hands on. We will be traveling down Port Royal way in late July and I'll check for Claypole's work when I'm down there. There may be a copy in the town library. By the way, if you want to see a cool fly through of Port Royal (pre-earthquake) check this out. http://www.ats.ucla.edu/videos/portroyal_ref.mov It's a .mov file so you may need the right player - I know QuickTime will open it. The music is really hokey but the fly through is pretty spot on. -- Hurricane

I just ordered my shoes and will report back on them when they arrive. It will be several weeks. The measurements were amazingly easy. If you have a cloth tape measure they are metric on the back so it was fairly easy to follow the directions. They are about to place their initial order so if you want to get a pair of custom buckle shoes and get them before June you may want to act now. -- Hurricane

Ahoy all! Looks like the Pyrates of the Coast will be heading down to Port Royal, Jamaica again for another journey into history. We will be visiting the usual haunts, Fort Charles, the Gaol, the town itself, Morgan's Line and hopefully Spanish Town, along with doing a ghost tour in costume. It's a grand time and walking the streets of the town that is still left is a thrill in itself. Six inches below the current streets are those that were walked on by Anne and Mary, Calico Jack, Henry Morgan, Blackbeard and all the other legends. Puts a real chill in your piratical soul. I think we have 10 of us planning to go right now. Anyone is welcome to join us. We will be staying at Morgan's Harbor, which is in walking distance of town (about two blocks actually). Their website is: http://www.morgansharbor.com -- in the Gallery section is a familiar looking pirate sitting on his arse in the casino. :) The tentative dates are either: July 16 - July 20 July 23 - July 27 Didn't want to return with a bunch more photos and have ya'll yell at me. -- Hurricane

In short, all of the above in your first paragraph. For example, I believe Mission will be doing a presentation on surgery for the period. Over in Port Royal we do a sugar pressing demo. Most people walk around during the day. Some interact and educate the public. Others choose to be atmosphere and visit with each other. All is fine and adds to the overall show. There are several group activities, namely the attack on the fort and repelling of the pirates. There are real merchants there along with those in the trade who choose to educate rather than sell. And there are some merchants who do both, selling period gear and goods and doing a fare part of educating shoppers on their use and appropriateness. I'm sure others have additional input, but all are welcome and we aren't to the point yet where we can all play hard and fast in roles. Last year I did two days as Sir Henry Morgan and then cracked under the pressure of having to be a fop, so I went full Hurricane the next day. This year I plan to be the owner of the Catt & Fiddle as well as a daft drunk in the tavern so I can brawl. Some will call that typecasting... :) -- Hurricane

Diosa and I work at home in shorts and t-shirts so the money we save from not having to buy corporate monkey suits buys us our clothing. The cars are paid off so we can buy guns and cannons and powder. Who needs a new car every two years when you can get a cannon on ebay? -- Hurricane

Ahoy all! It comes to mind that we have some many talented musicians, entertainers and storytellers among our midst that we could fill that empty stage with some additional entertainment during each day of the festival. Right now it's only used for the tryal and the awards/slide show. Barnacle Beau did a yeoman's job of adding music to the grounds. But if seems a shame that everyone is working so hard on music for the pub sing when the public doesn't get to hear any of it. It seems a better use of talent to share it with the public, who finance this little piratefest shindig. I know our little band would be happy to do a 1/2 hour or so on stage each day and I'm sure Rusty would have a go at it along with Barnacle. I'm sure Harry could rustle up a mike and a PA. If not I know others in our midst who have a PA they could lend. Saves on the voices, too. What say you? -- Hurricane

That's wonderful! The Port Royal presentation covers life in the town during its prime, the earthquake, the aftermath and has lots of photos of artifacts and the remnants of the town. We will be going back in July of this year to get even more current photos to supplement the presentation. Thanks for confirming this for us (the both of you). I think we will be doing it on Friday and Saturday evenings... early on just after sunset. Thanks for the compliment Harry. It just seemed like such a shame to keep it hidden away... -- Hurricane

Having the thumb guides would definitely prevent the thing from wobbling back and forth as much on the center axis I would think... it would be much less painful that way and a much cleaner cut. -- Hurricane

That's the easiest way to get it too. I originally tried to order if from Canada but they couldn't ship me a copy because of copyright issues and referred me to a US university. They didn't have it in stock anymore so I went to amazon.uk and they sent it to me. Since it was optimized to work on Windows, I had to jig it a bit since I am on a Mac. I ended up just downloading the entire source folder to my hard drive and now everything links perfectly using my Web browser. But it should auto run on Windows. Quite remarkable, since many of these items are fairly mundane (hats, for instance) that others may have overlooked them. The only caveat is that these were drawn over the course of his lifetime so you have to do a bit of weeding out historically about what belongs in the earlier part of the century, what is late 1600s and what would still be applicable to those in GAoP. -- Hurricane

True enough, but many scholars point to a person in Cortez's army who had smallpox. He may have gotten it from the pigs aboard ship, but he's the one that carried is ashore... The disease followed the Spanish conquistadors into Mexico and Central America in 1520. With fewer than 500 men, the Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés was able to conquer the great Aztec Empire under the emperor Montezuma in what is now Mexico. One of Cortés's men was infected with smallpox, triggering an epidemic that ultimately killed an estimated 3 million Aztecs, one-third of the population. A similar path of devastation was left among the people of the Inca Empire of South America. Smallpox killed the Inca emperor Huayna Capac in 1525, along with an estimated 100,000 Incas in the capital city of Cuzco. The Incas and Aztecs are only two of many examples of smallpox cutting a swath through a native population in the Americas, easing the way for Europeans to conquer and colonize new territory. It can truly be said that smallpox changed history. Encarta's entry... -- Hurricane

The work is Randle Holme's Academy of Armory, which is an encyclopedia of goods from 17th century life. It was published in 1688. He drew and described all sorts of things during his lifetime, including all the tools used by surgeons, carpenters, potters, ropemakers and such, along with machinery, musical instruments, bird calls and conjuring tricks. All told, there are more than 2500 images from his large work of drawings and descriptions. It's very cool. Took me forever to track down since it's been out of print for quite a while. -- Hurricane