Iron Jon

Another use for Rope - "The Dutch have a method of punishing some particular crimes by keel-hauling, viz. they take a sufficient length of rope and pass one end of it around the cut water and let it fall under the bottom, then reeve the ends at both the yard arms as before mentioned, and over-hauling the bight fix the man in the middle of it, with a deep sea-lead fastened to his heels for the purpose of sinking him clear of the ship's keel.They then run him up and let go, and allowing sufficient time for the lead to sink him deep enough, he is run up on the other side, permitting him to breathe a little, and sent a second time under the bottom; and when he has dived three times, he is hauled in, some refreshment given him, and then put to his hammock." - The Narrative of William Spavens

Smith's Sea-Man;s Grammar also mentions at least thirteen more ropes/lines such as - Breast Rope, and Standing Rope, as well as Head Lines, Furling Lines, Smiteing Lines, Bunt Lines, Clew Lines, Leech Lines, Leath Lines, Knave Lines, Crain Lines, Bow Lines, and Hoisting Lines in (Chap. V) A Description of a Ship and all her Tackling and (Chap. XV) An Alphabetical Table of Names of all the Parts and Members of a Ship. Didn't see any reference to a tent-rope or tent-line!

Ode to Rope As I cast off for that very first time, The "rope" in my hand has now become "line". And hauling the sails to the top of the mast, That "rope", now a "halyard" holds strong, taught and fast. Then sailing in brisk winds full force on a beat. The sails are trimmed in by that "rope" that's a "sheet". And now at my anchorage with sails safely stowed, I trust in that "rope" that now serves as a "rode". Through all my life I will never lose hope, Of a reason or time to play with a rope. Copied from http://www.commanderbob.com - Lt/C Barry Briggs, S, of the Durham (NC) Power Squadron wrote this ditty, which was published in the August 1999 edition of the National Power Squadron magazine, Ensign

I remember reading somewhere that Spain would tax merchants and investors returning from the new world somewhere around 20 or 25% on gold and silver and trade merchandise. I believe the tax on precious metals only applied to gold and silver in the raw form such as coins, bars. plate, and bullion and not to personal belongings. The book said that the merchants would make jewelry to wear on the return voyage in order to avoid these taxes. That's why some of the shipwrecks have those huge gold chains that nobody could possibly wear around their necks. Maybe having their coins sewn into clothing was also a way to dodge the taxman.

Wiki to the rescue - "Rope" refers to the manufactured material. Once rope is purposely sized, cut, spliced, or simply assigned a function, the result is referred to as a "line", especially in nautical usage. Sail control lines are mainly referred to as sheets(e.g. jibsheet). A halyard, for example, is a line used to raise and lower a sail, and is typically made of a length of rope with a shackle attached at one end. Other examples include clothesline, chalk line, anchor line ("rode"), stern line, fishing line, and so on.

IMDB says it was a 2 part series on TV in the UK last month.... OK?

Yes, I thought it was written in your style. It was in a parent directory that opened up when I logged in. This was while Stynky was updating the site the other day. It was the only thing in the directory (actually it was the only thing on the site for me that day!). Come to think of it, I probably could have went in and really messed up the inner workings of the Pub...

Yep, a list of instruction on dealing with petty arguments, off topic posts, trolls, and other stuff, along with witty comments posted in red under each bullet point written by someone else.

When I tried to log on the other day I ended up on a moderators instruction page. I learned all the inner secrets on avoiding trolls.

That's definitely good news knowing that the Fort Taylor Pirate Invasion, pirate encampment, and battles at the fort are still going on as planned! Sorry to hear that some of the other festival stuff won't be around this year though.

Just saw on Facebook that the PIP portion of this years (2012) Key West pirate festival is being canceled. Does anybody know of this will have any effect on the FTPI?

Does the link also give access to Moyle's book The Sea-Chirugeon, or only Woodall's book The surgions mate? If it does, I wasn't able to find it. As far as I can tell, Moyle's book is only available in electronic version to members at some university libraries.

Been getting the same message again for the last few days.

Seems to me like Billie's tryin' to get the best view in both of those pin up gal pictures there! Just sayin'...

Just checked, still getting the same message.

I'm getting the same message.

I'll be there for the whole weekend this time. (PM sent)

Is there still time to sign up or am I too late?

Red bay trees, common in southern coastal areas, are being infested by beetles causing some kind of fungus. I guess the Park Service doesn't want to introduce wood infected with anything into the Keys.

I already bought some extra memory cards for the camera !

Thanks for the tips for Oxford. I should have time for at least one of the museums. I'm doing the bus trip which also includes Warwick Castle and Stratford on Avon.

I would have loved to be there for that but I'll be arriving a few days later. I already planned a few day trips outside of London by bus and train since I won't have a car. We will have a few extra hours to explore in Bath, Canterbury, Oxford, Edinburgh, and Paris.

I will in the UK at the end of the month visiting London and several other cities for a couple of weeks. The greatest part of the time will be in the city of London. Does anyone have any recommendations for places to visit relating to pirates or piracy. We will be seeing all the usual museums and tourist sights so I was looking for some out of the way shops, exhibits, or attractions that would be of interest. I see that there's a Captain Kidd exhibit at the London Museum Docklands when we'll be there, any other things of this sort going on? How about places to purchase period correct replicas and items? Any ideas???

Happy Birthday Dogge. It's Friday and I'm taking my Dad out for his birthday tonight. I will definitely have a few mugs in your honor! Cheers!!!