capnwilliam

They do look terrific! But we could do just as well in the US. The problem is, we're not interested in history here, so much as in trying to look like quasi-historical people in the movies: Capt. Jack Sparrow, or Lestat, or whoever's making the movie circuit at the time!

Capt. William

No worrys, mate. Now get yerself well.

And well-armed!

Capt. William

The organizers of PyrateCon 2008 are in New Orleans for a few days getting all the groundwork laid for what will be an incredible experience for everyone.

Aye, they were here, I saw 'em. I'll vouch for 'em.

Didn't see much of the bloke who organized the one for 2007, though.

Capt. William

I will do that, Matt.

Capt. William

I have often heard much about what Howard Pyle did to stereotype the pyrate image with bucket boots etc. but if you actually examine his work he has many details correct ...He shows very few examples of any pirate wearing bucket boots most are in buckle shoes or barefooted and the clothing is stylized at worst but not the guideleines for the 1930's hollywood designer sorts of "fashion" blunders attributed to him. .....just my humble opinion

But Callenish, that surely isn't what the real Capt. William Kidd looked like!

Capt. William

Not much interested in the 1600's, are ye, Capt.?

Capt. William

Wouldn't it be beautiful to see the return of viable commercial vessels?

Better for the environment, too.

Capt. William

I read it many years ago: it's slow reading.

As I recall, it had more about whaling, than about "The Great White Whale".

You will learn MUCH about whaling from reading the book.

Whaling always interested me. But if it doesn't interest you, I wouldn't recommend reading the book.

Capt. William

I agree: she looks too much like a Chinese junk, for my tastes. But I'm sure she's a great sailer.

In the 1970's, with the oil crisis at its worst, there was a plan to revive sailing vessels - for commercial purposes! The idea was that everything would be electricly controlled - push a button to adjust the sails - so no large crew would be needed. The vessels would use diesel engines in and out of port, or if becalmed, but wind power otherwise.

A shame the idea never went anywhere. But who knows? Oil prices aren't likely to drop, in the long run,

Capt. William

Dana didn't serve aboard a whaler, if I recall correctly, Bo.

I get confused with things I read and hear, too: I mentioned the other day that I thought I remembered Gordon Lightfoot's song about the Edmund Fitzgerald from 1974: but the vessel didn't sink till 1975.

We just have a lot going on in our old heads!

Capt. William

Last year at PiP we talked about this... (NOTE: this only applies to what is now the 1729 Careening Camp)

It is amusing that the 9 and the 0 are too close together on the keyboard. Everyone is calling the 1720 camp the 1729 camp lately.

Close enough!

Capt. William

GREAT Photos, Blackjohn!

Can you be at PyrateCon in New Orleans next year, to teach these Johnny Depp lookalikes what REAL pirates, REALLY looked like?

Capt. William

OK. From the way some mates were responding, I thought they might be answering in the present context.

I still go with what I said earlier: I'd prefer a sword for "then" (talking personal defense / shipboard use, NOT battlefield use), a gun for "now".

Even so: one of these days, I think it would be a wise investment to get a good cutlass, and a good Bowie. No wallhangers, but good "using" pieces, for last ditch home defense.

You never know!

I lived through Katrina: it makes you think, believe me.

Capt. William

This is an interesting topic.

I'm based in New Orleans, portray a Baratarian cannoneer at the Battle of New Orleans (1815) reenactment, and have done a GAOP portrayal at Dauphin Island, so am always interested in U.S. Gulf-sites piracy.

Hope I can get to St. Augustine for Searles' Raid, and for Drakes' Raid, one of these years.

Capt. William

The Fitz went down in 1975.

My grandfather and Uncle were GL Captains and knew Capt McSorely, and my dad knew him as well.

Yer right: November 10, 1975, it was.

Capt. William

Shipmates, I'm not sure that I understand the historical context of this question.

If we're talking "suppose this were the GAOP", and it's a choice between a flintlock firearm or a sword: then we have a great topic for a debate.

There, my choice would be a sword, given the misfire rate and slow rate of fire power of a pistol or blunderbuss: if we're talking about a weapon for close range.

However, my choice for an optimal period weapon would be a musket with a bayonet. I could fire ball, buckshot, buck and ball, or birdshot, and with the bayonet attached, I've got a spear and club (butt-end) combination that's better than any sword.

Now, if we're talking TODAY: a sword is so far out of the running compared with modern repeating cartridge firearms, it's not even a serious point for discussion.

A sword vs. a bolt action .308 with telescopic sights? Or vs. an assault rifle, or a 12 gauge pump with 00 or 000 buckshot, or a .357, or .45, or high capacity 9mm?

I'm as much of an anachronist as you're ever going to meet: but a sword's way-down on my list of things I'd want to have in my hand, if my life were at stake.

Capt. William

I'm far more accurate with a sword. bloody pistols jam too!

Flintlocks? On what, the feeding or the ejection cycle?

Capt. William

James Townsend, Smoke and Fire: these two might have something for you.

Capt. William

Great pics! Though the rapier's got to go for GAOP, and I doubt that our shipmates of old would have disembarked wearing shoes and socks.

It was good that this thread started with a mention of the 1729 Careening Camp. Folks often speak of "period", without saying WHAT period.

I'd go with:

1-2 pair of shoes

rope sandals

3 pair of socks

trousers and / or slops

heavy belt

2 shirts

short jacket

hat

neckerchief (optional)

whatever weaponry you feel comfortable toting around all day

1 "using" sheath or folding knife

Capt. William

That's all right, Bo, you're still a great guy, even if you don't send me anything!

The Confederate Privateers are sailing slowly: the Baratarian list, by contrast, is sailing along at 20 knots.

Please keep us all posted on how the bushwackin' is going.

Capt. William

Bo,

Welcome back, and my most hearty congratulations, old friend!

Is that ME you have something for? If so, please don't let lack of a mailing address be a problem! :angry:

For Bo - or anyone who might want to send me a gift:

James McArthur

5721 Magazine Street

New Orleans, LA 70115

Capt. William

What exactly IS it?

Capt. William

The Edmund Fitzgerald went down with all hands 30 years ago tonight.

Seems as though it was longer ago than 30 years: I won't swear to it but I thought I remember this song being popular the simmer (1974) I spent in Norfolk.

Capt. Wiliam

If we changed anything, we'd be running the risk that we'd change everything.

Capt. William

I'd like to go to St. Helena, and reminisce with Napoleon.

I'd hope that his English is better than my French, which is non-existent!

Charles I of England, and Robert E. Lee, would also be favorites.

Capt. William