Ol Man From the Sea

I really did not think that you were. The only real problem With your suggestion is that somebody would have to play judge. Worst yet, the judge would not know what was coming when he made his choices. I job I don't want, you don't want, and none of us would "trust" anybody that did want it. No need for judging was one of the reasons I had for saying, The “tents” are not in neat little rows separated by task and rank, but set haphazardly around a small carefully watched fire Now, if you just want the front spot , be my guest. BTW nothing wrong with your tone, that problem is mine. Its mine all mine I tell you. There I go again.

I am curious. Are you asking to put your really neat shelter at the front? Or, are you volunteering to be “Tent Judge” and help everyone figure out were to set up? Most brave of you in either case.

Huh! never seen canvas with only one side. Ok, I have, but a mobius strip would not make a good shelter. What you want is about 10 or 12 oz, 100% cotton canvas or duck usually cost about $5 or $6 per yard. Walmart has some thats just under $5 if I remember. It should not be coated, and it should not be at all "plastic." Good Hunting!

Easy now lass! Easy! Take a couple deep breaths! Thats it! Easy! OK First, you don't need to pack for all contingency, ya just need enough to have a good time. Now go look at my post from March 29th in the "Mercury 1720 Careening Camp" thread. it is on page 14. At the bottom you will find a basic list. It is alright to add a thing or two, but ask Silkie about bringing a few extra things. The less you bring (read, have to carry) the easier it will be to have fun. There that wasn't so hard was it.

Looks like we will be doing some business in Hampton. See you there! Also Cathy (Royaliste) said she was going to try to do a bit of shopping at Hampton. So maybe your son can do a bit of spyin', uhm I mean market research and let you know what she is looking for?

Things would be pretty much the same after as before. After all ten dimes = small change!

Your gonna need a way to get from Miami to Key West. About a 4 or 5 hour trip, maybe longer. You can go by bus, ferry boat, or rent-a-wreck (lone or car pool). Probably best to spend the night on the main land and come down in the morning. If driving, Homestead/Florida City would be a good place to spend the night. Its past Miami's madness, but before Island prices. As to must do, must see, that would take a couple weeks or more. real real short list: The Trial (I haven't seen this yet ) Hemmingway House, and Sunset fest (nobody will believe you were in Key West if you don't) Mel Fisher, or Pirate Soul Schooner ride (and/or Ketch ride if Royalist makes it down)

The most important thing about footware for Pirates in Paradise is that they fit well enough for you to walk a marathon in. You will walk alot down there. Even Nikes are more authentic than a Hospital stay.

But how much would you need to tip the driver? as to it rolllin' even with one of those life has its ups (grunt, grunt, pant pant) and downs (bye bye, cry cry)

Key West Cops would just check if you were still breathing and roll you on your side so you don't drown. They don't even have a jail on the island. Hotels can be had for about $100 per night, maybe a bit less, if you reserve early. Restaurant prices are about the same as elsewhere, food is usually a bit better. At least two grocery stores within walking distance. Camp cooks will shake down campers for grub money and can be bribed to feed noncampers. A tarp works well for camping down there. it's not called Pirates in PARADISE for nothing ya know! Watch the rental cars in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, Last year, for a week, a Jag cost me about $5 more than a GEO would have? For your first time, fly to the above airports and drive, car pool or even take the bus. The overseas highway is not to be missed. Plan to walk alot. Any questions?

try BOILED linseed oil or Watco oil or something like that. mineral oil won't dry for a very long time and thus be a bit of a mess.

I think Kass had some thread sized hemp at RFII, or you could try a place that sells beading stuff. Since you want the thread to swell, thus seal when wet, cotton should be good even with hemp. As far as I know you are the first person to make a hemp tarp in over 150 years! Well there might be a few others, but none I know. So your guess is as good as anybodies. In other words you is on your own! We will be on the side lines cheerin' and wishin' you luck but as to any real help? We wish we could, but we really just don't know. Sorry! Good luck!

Hugh, did ya have ta go so hard on the poor guy? Isn't his being from Jersey bad enough for him? Now I have to close my eyes and turn my head if I see a paintball. YUCK! Littleneckhalfshell, Talk to both your State and Local Police, do as they say. Even if you are right and they are wrong, you will still pay. I was a gun dealer in Illinois about 10 years ago. Had the "joy" of being told by the State Police that I shall list all black powder arms in my log books, then being told by the ATF that I shall not list any black powder arms in my log books. What a mess!

Good question. Tarp or tent? How big? Hand sewn or machine? period panel width, ie. 2' between seams? Their 12 oz is "tightly woven" so it might be more waterproof than the 18.5, it is more than 1/3rd lighter, a bit cheaper, and should be easer to sew (18.5oz is too heavy for most machines, in fact 12 oz is pushing it) On the other hand the 18.5 is probably more like what was used for large sails. For smaller sails? As I said Good question!

Ok, help me out here. I thought that a large caliber is needed with a ball to get enough weight. Without rifling you need a ball, cause a ball don't care if it tumbles. With rifling you can use a Miniball or modern ogive and get the weight with a smaller caliber and more length. Barrel pressures went up because of better barrels, and better control of powder amounts, not better powder? Where did I go wrong?

huh... Bar close in Key West?

Well thank you! (BLUSH) But really it is mostly venting hot air. The "rules" are simple. As this is the first year and you are a first timer, you will be welcome. For help with clothing see the sticky indexes Patrick did in Plunder and Capt. Twill. and/or go see Kass For camping see my post on page 14 of the "The Mercury, 1720 Careening Camp" Thread. For beginers read the last 2 lines of that post twice as it applies to clothing as well. Oh one more rule, what ever you do HAVE FUN! Any questions?

Silly little idea. Why not put what ever info on (the back of?) (a version of?) the Mercury Draughts? It would insure us a quality product.

I am sure that if we put our minds to it, we can fill another 16 pages with things pyrates might/would have done in camp. To save a bit of space, let me rephrase Silkie's question. What will YOU be doing IN camp?

This post was kinda lost in the scuffle but is a good point to carry on from! It is possible, and probably authentic, that we are layin' around drunk. When the ship was careened everyone would be working on the ship so camp would be near empty and thus pretty boring. However, there would be times when the ship was prepared for careening but could not be careened, due to wind or waves etc., leaving the crew with little to do but wait. So, what are we going to do with our "free" time in camp? Even if we are just laying around drunk we should have some drinking songs ready. Of course we could take a hint from RLS and just sing "YO HO HO and a Bottle of Rum" over and over and over? As rounded spars seem better than modern lumber for tent poles, I could bring my draw knife & spoke shave, fake out a shaving bench or something and demo them? Might even show how to make an (ugh) oar or two? Other Ideas?

No need to worry about jaws, No great whites around there. Lemons, Hammerheads, bulls, spinners, blacktips, and nurse sharks, but not great white. What you really need to be careful about when skinny dippin' are the Portuguese Man-of-wars. In about an hour or so I saw a dozen or more not 3 miles off that very beach last December. They are Kinda pretty really.

I'm in!

Ms. Black I love you for using hemp. Problem is, I'm not sure if I love you for being so authentic, or if I love you for being the Guinea pig who is going to find out if hemp will leak or not. It is a vegetable fiber so it should swell some when wet. Will it swell enough to seal? If I were you I'd keep some 4 mil poly around till I knew for sure. Good, no make that GREAT luck! I hope it works!

Sounds kinda interesting, and I think i might be available. Details man, details