CaptainSatan

Deal with the Devil

Thare be no pillows in pyracy* Just kidding! Of course they had pillows. I just don't think that would be an item they would row out to the shore for their encampment.Just like people flying to PiP probably won't be bringing many pillows. Assuming that I am denied the pleasure and comfort of a hard bellied wench to rest my weary had apoun, I might pack an extra blanket rolled up in a home made drawstring bag as a pillow (if I have room). That way if I get cold I have another blanket w/me. If you drink enough rhum you should be able to sleep just fine without a fluffy pillow. It won't be an option at PiP, but I usually sleep in a hammock when I set up me pyrate camp. -CS *unless you plan on driving yer car or truck to the event!

syringe-bra at Burning Man Ronald McHomeless

What is best in life? To crush your enemies. To see them driven before you. And to hear the lamentations of their women... -Conan the Barbarian

Barbara Gordon

What, you mean people actually live in Canada? I thought that was just a myth! -CS

Lebor na hUidre (Book of the Dun Cow)

casting couch

Japan

Allegedly

Here is a mid 18th century pine sea chest. It was probably made about 30 years after TGAoP. I can see nothing in the actual design that is post period.You could also reconstruct a similar chest using iron brackets on the corners instead of dovetail joints. 18.5" wide, 45" long (on the top), and 20" high. Note the nails in the cleats, the over lapping lid, and the large dovetails. -CS

" Warping wood isn't all that difficult." But are there any examples of pirate era chests that were built that way? -CS PS. Here are some pictures of a lid made from a single peice of wood and one made of multiple boards. I'm not including any documentation because I just want to illustrate the two different styles. The first two images are a reproduction of a Viking Age chest.

This first time someone had to piece together a lid because it was less than the price of a single board? Remember. Here, in the colonial era, all the huge trees had yet to be felled. The floorboards in the oldest house in Cape Cod are immense! Please keep in mind that you can't make a TRADITIONAL barrel/humped lid from a single board. To make it out of a single piece of wood you would need something like a split tree trunk. -CS

And here are some pretty pictures of the mid 19th century or classic sea chest. These chests were made by Classic Sea Chests & Display Boats. The dimensions are 39 inches by 19 inches by 16-5/8 inches high. The chests in pine weigh approx 45 lbs. You can see even better pictures by visiting their website. http://classicseachests.com/ You'll notice that these later period chests have a similar (but more subtle sloping) shape as the chest pictured in the 17th century painting. Unlike the earlier chest, these examples feature wooden cleats on the sides of the chest for simple rope handles. They have dovetail joints and some reinforcing around the the bottom exterior edge.The little brass hinges are obviously way too modern and the black tape on rope handles needs to go, the dog tag chain on the lid should be replaced as well. While I don't have any hard eveidence to back it up.I do suspect that the simple rope handles eyed through the cleats would be closer to the period than the fancy beckets we see on 19th century chests. While the 1763 chest does not have any visible dovetailed joints or cleats, the chest found on the Mary Rose posseses both of these features.And that chest was made AT LEAST 128 years before the one in the painting. So it's quite possible that the mid 19th century style may be more period than they first appear. Remember the chest in the painting is only one example. -CS

Ok here is a closeup of the sea chest from around 1673. It does not appear to be joined by dovetails, nor does it feature cleats and fancy beckets. I can't see a lot of detail but it appears to have an over hanging lid like the later period chests. -CS PS: I'm working on getting y'all a copy of the mysterious Mary Rose chest that I keep talking about.If nothing else I have some hard copies somewher in my office.

http://classicseachests.com/ Dimensions: 39 inches by 19 inches by 16-5/8 inches high. Weight approx. 45 pounds (Montery Pine). I suppose you could pack a few shirts in the chest and carry everything else in a duffel bag, plus your carry on bag. I think that I am going to lean towards building a chest about a third smaller/lighter, maybe two. -CS

What, you mean that's not really Michael Jackson

Good looking camp Mister Hand! What are the DIMs on yer fine sail/tarp? What's it made of? And....how much does it weigh? -CS

I haven't dated a belly dancer for over five years and I'm still finding glitter in my house! -CS

Leather

Mary Jane

They were suburban stormtroopers.

"The Sea Chest, History and Construction Plans", written and illustrated by Tim Whitten, details traditional sea chest construction methods. Included are dimensions and details unique to the typical slanted seamans chest as illustrated in the finished models shown below. The book is 24 pages and plastic bound to allow it to lay flat. Also contains sources for hard to find materials such as hand forged hinges and wide board lumber. $12 plus shipping. http://www.marlinespike.com/sea_chests.html I had seen that book but I mistakenly thought those chests were all post period. Since Captain Jim has enlightened me on the subject I will order a copy tonight And you are correct Mr. Hand! Wider boards will give you a more period look. If I am going to go to the trouble & expense of having boards custom millled I will probably go ahead and go with a hardwood myself.I may make a low cost PROTOTYPE out of plywood. By the time it received a few coats of sanded milk paint it would look good in the background (slightly out of focus) for some of my pyrate photos. Since it wouldn't be period I would probably donate it to a pyratee kid to use as a toy chest. Maybe it's that wacky perfectionist gene, but I like to play with low cost mockups before I start cutting & drilling those expensive custom milled boards. -CS More sea chest plans http://classicseachests.com/contact_us.htm -