Silver

i have the book "the mayflower destiny" cyril l. marshall. printed in 1976. he was curator of technology and crafts at plimoth plantation in plymouth, mass. on page 171 under coopering it states that "iron hoops, with the exception of those fitted on the top and bottom of a cask to take the punishment when it was dropped, were not { common }until late in the 18th century".

the o'brian novel are excellent, if you listen to his book on tape or cd you feel like you are there. i have been reading a book called "to rule the waves" by a. herman about the royal navy from the 1500-wwII. anybody eles read that one. it has alot of info on the life of a rn sailor

"never dull" or "brasso" both will cut the finish coating off the brass, at first it be nice and bright then it will start to get that dull brass look to it unless you reaply it. i polished my share of brass in the nav. use it on my blunderbuss everytime i clean it.

i enjoyed your disection of the pirate groups. it is on target.

this is a great place to flesh out a sailor's life, if you do a sailor impression you will be asked "what was it like." i know there are different veiws on the matter, i would like to exchange those views with anyone interested. here in the tidewater area of va. we have the repo. of the susan constant 1607, also the elizabethII 1580's in n.c. they both have bunks for the crew. i'm not saying hammock didn't exist.

i think the hammock showed up on ships in the mid to late 1700, until then the men slept in small bunks built along side the bulkheads or any where they could find a dry spot below the main deck.

what time frame and country are you wanting to know about. would it be merchant, navy, pirate?

"THE MAYFLOWER DESTINY" by cyril leek marshall. check it out if you can get a copy. some copies are offered on the web.

i have been thinking about getting the 1/2 scale 1810 6 pounder "british naval" from wilds inports. asking if anyone has done bought from these folks and if this is a good piece for pirates or early 1700's. thank for your imputs.

I read that the ships navigator would keep his charts and notes in something called a wagoneer (they didn't say if was a stick or automatic, OK). Can anyone give me more details on this object, i would like to "repro" one for my living history presentation. thankyou

if it is "sea wolf: the pirates curse" save you duboons

this topic does bring a question to mind. where would a pirate stow his arms when he was involed in the deck work needed to keep a ship sailing?

i saw it, it is a pirate movie, i was robbed!

i love to shoot cannons. i don't have my own yet, i crew a 12lb naval gun. they still make them for gate closers, it's a ball and chain rig that pulls a garden gate close behind you. check the web. what size is the bore? the closers are about the size of a softball about a 9lb. heavy machine ball bearings can work for grape. wood will work also but i don't have the feel. on the up roll!!!!

It is a honor to come aboard and be surounded by ladies and gentlemen with such a vast knowledge of the sweet trade. This is the best port to be in a storm. If I may drinks all around.

Signing on a new crew in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.

If interested, contact me at LSilver@pyracy.com