capnwilliam

This being an ad that I caught out of the corner of my deadeye yesterday...an ad that said the History Channel was having a show about "Caribbean Pirates" (purely coincidental timing! ) This weekend (Sunday July 9): 8:00 Eastern, 7:00 Central. Capt. William

Just learned today that I have a hearing scheduled for July 7! Well, maybe it'll settle before then... Capt. William

I believe that "browning" IS actually a controlled rusting process. :) Capt. William

There's actually a breed of dog called the "Schipperkin", which means "Little Captain". They originated - or were heavily used as - shipboard ratters, and pets. Or so the story goes. My neighbor has one. Capt. William

How many are planning to go (whether first showing or not) in garb, in a group? Capt. William

Could you post a better pic of the baldric, Bo? And could it be used with other swords? Would it work for a left hander (carry on the right side of the body)? Capt. William

Under federal law and the laws of most states, you'd be on solid legal ground carrying a flintlock, unloaded, and in plain sight: provided you have some legitimate reason for carrying it, such as being at a reenactment, or being en route to and from an event. By "in plain sight", I'm referring to carry on the person. In a vehicle, the general rule of thumb is; unloaded: ammo kept separately: weapon in a rigid, locked, opaque container, and in the trunk. I also recommend that those of you who live in the 35 or so states that have enacted "shall issue" concealed weapons laws apply for a carry permit. Personally, I don't know why any adult in his right mind who can get a permit to carry a concealed handgun WOULDN'T do so. Capt. William

I recall reading of someone smoking a cigar the morning of the Battle of New Orleans (1815); that's the earliest reference I can think of, but I've not made any study of the topic. Capt. William

Wish I had the space to do something like that: barely have enough room for a portable grill! Capt. William

No Civil War buffs here, I reckon. Capt. William

It's not GAOP...but Civil War buffs might be interested in the Battle of Mobile Bay reenactment at Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island, Alabama, the first weekend in August. I'm planning on debuting Capt. Coxetter, Confederate privateersman. Capt. William

I get my belts from Jekyl the Hidesmith. Excellent quality and he guarantees his work. I have the double wrap from my sword. He does custom work as well, so anything you can imagine or know historical he can replicate. http://jekylthehidesmith.com/ - Sir H. Their broad belt looks nice, too. The photo makes it look as though the double-wrap belt holds the sword pointing straight down. Does it? Capt. William

Actually, most people who migrated to the United States as recently as the early 20th century did so knowing that they would never again see the old sod or the people they's left behind. Most never did. Most pirates were career seamen, and probably switched back and forth between the navy, the merchants, privateering, and piracy, as need and opportunity arose. It was probably a rare lad who ever started out as a pirate; but probably many seamen had severed their home times when they first set out to sea. Capt. William

Capt. Bo, You might try an e-bay search: I got one for my wife (an old one; no, not my wife, the coffee grinder! ) on e-bay. I remember when I was with the SCA the issue came up whether coffee was period for THEM (pre-1601) and someone offered info that it was; at least, in Arab lands. Capt. William

Aye mates, the crew of the Revenge set sail in March, with our maiden voyage (four maidens aboard we had, too! ) at Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island, Alabama. We took our ship's name and our Articles from a 1724 actual vessel captained by John Phillips. Currently we have six crew members, and are an offshoot of the Baratarian cannon crew of 1815, for those of us who wanted to branch out into the Golden Age of Piracy. Renato Beluche (Frank Spiehler) is our Capt. Cobbs; we also have his lady Nancy; my mate Jan; two fine wenches from Mobile, in the persons of Bosun Carmina, and the Sea Wolf; and me, I'm John Mayfield, the Gunner. We're still lining mates into positions but at least tentatively, the Sea Wolf will be our Quartermaster, and Bosun Carmina - a fine hand with a needle - our Sail Maker. We are aiming for an authentic, and family-oriented routine: trying to educate the lubbers away from the Hollywood myths about piracy, while still having fun. Anyone in the Gulf States who's interested, please to come aboard! Capt. William

I raised a really good question, didn't I? I confess that I haven't an inkling of what the answer is, more's the pity... Capt. William

Foxe speaks true! There was no overriding "pirate code": that's POTC rot! Rather, each pirate vessel had Articles that each man signed and was bound to for the duration of the voyage. As I came to realize just recently: Articles were not a piratical innovation: merchant vessels, whalers, even the Navy, all had Articles. Capt. William

You must be careful not to confuse Naval ranks with pirate ranks: young lads of good genteel standing presumably didn't end up as members of a pirate crew! Did pirates carry and care for their own personal weapons? Probably: and yet I doubt that they climbed rigging wearing cutlasses and a brace of heavy pistol. They must have stowed their weaonry somewhere. (?) Capt. William

The group is called the Crew of the Revenge, we are based in New Orleans, we welcome members from throughout the area; and no, I can't think of any reason why we SHOULDN'T be listed. We just can't seem to get the adminisrator TO list us! Capt. William

Welcome aboard, Amanjiria! Glad to learn that you are working on a persona story: too many mates aren't interested in doing anything but posing! I have me doubts that someone of your humble background could have been granted an officer's commission, and the idea of switching from enlisted man to officer was, well, not bloody likely in the RN of that era. It's not very common in the US Navy today, for that matter: although I do know someone who entered on duty as a Seaman and retired as a Captain. Why not have him start life "better off", and enter service as a Midshipman? Capt. William

I reckon the answer be "no". Capt. William

Today, Pyrate Queen Jan and I went to hear Richard Zacks, author of THE PIRATE HUNTER (about Capt. Kidd) and PIRATE COAST (about early U.S. operations against the pirates in Tripoli. It was an interesting lecture, and Zacks made the comment "there is a great deal of serious research about pirates going on today. The leader of it all is a lady named CHRISTINE LAMPE, who goes by the name of 'Jamaica Rose', and publishes a magazine called NO QUARTER GIVEN." It made Jan and I very proud to know ye, Jamaica! :) Capt. William

Capt. Bo, where are you homeported? Capt. William

Aye, this mate does some fantastic work! I'm going to bid on a piece or two. :) Capt. William

THREE pirate periodicals, including No Quarter Given? I'm not sure there's that big of a market: competition can be cutthroat, and no, I ain't trying to talk like a pirate! Capt. William