MadL

(bloody real-life stuff) Back again, will be keeping a weathered eye out Capt. Trueblood! I am getting near the closing point of my second attempt - this time a nice blend of brown alpaca with black sheep's wool - has a nice feel too, and without the itch!

Thank ye much Capt Trueblood! I will try that with me next cap - yarn should be here in a week or two (coming this time from UK)

Ok, my first attempt it complete! Many errors and I had to learn to loosen up a bit for once I got to tapering with the K2TOGs I found I was really strong arming it a bit!! And my loop making on the brim is pretty sloppy - Next time I will nail it with no more missed knits! Also I found a video that discusses proper measuring for fitting - this one I just went by the instructions posted (60 cast ons over three needles) but this 'non historic' tutorial says to first "knit a patch, measure how many knits in an inch and multiply by head size, find nearest integer of four (rounding down)", I am going to try that on my next one. What I haven't figured out is how to do the button when closing it off? This one I just closed up 'beanie' style and then did a bit of cheating with a sail needle to close up some of my mistakes - but this one is not even period yard, just a trail run. Now if I can just get some descriptions of how the 'button' is knitted (I want the 'small' button, not a dorset) Capt Trueblood; that would be GRAND! i find it much easier if I can 'see' it done then trying to figure out from text instructions (I have texting turned OFF on my phone!)

My two pence on Loyalist Arm's shoes - Best Around! Have had mine now since their first batch and still hanging in strong! As for buckles - I have worn through Three Pair now - shoes last longer then the buckles themselves - and Yes, just e-mail Loyalist, or give them a call and they will send ye a pair of buckles in no time at all (well, about two or three weeks to arrive on the west coast)

Thank Ye Much! I think I understand now....now be time t' give it a try! Can't cross that great expanse o' water without spilling a bit o' rum!

Thank ye much Gwen S. But now my question would remain; just what is "Knit 4" "Knit 3" "Knit 2" "Knit 1"? just what is the 'number' indicating?

I have never knitted in my life and I am trying to learn how to read the instructions but after watching some videos and going through various beginer guides I am still a bit fuzzy as to how to interpret some of the instructions: **What does it mean when it says "Row xx to yy: Knit" verses "Row x: Knit 4" (and then Knit 3, Knit 2, etc?) - I believe it is reducing the size, but does that some how mean 'skipping" some? - also what does the "Repeat" at the end of some steps mean? are you 'repeating the K2tog step or the entire row? example: Rows 21-45: Knit Row 46: Knit 4, k2tog; repeat Rows 47-49: Knit Row 50: Knit 3, k2tog; repeat Rows 51-54: Knit Row 55: Knit 2, K2tog; repeat Row 56-58: Knit Row 59: Knit 1, K2tog; repeat

I understand that Putrified Bear Fat is good for keeping away bugs - they say it smells real bad but it smells even worse to bitting bugs But personnaly I LIKE the smell of Stockholm Tar, I use it on all my rope work and occasionaly even make a stain or two in me clothes just for added measure.

AVAST Capt'n Orderlesseye! I Can See NorCal Upon Th' Horizon! - UNFURL TH' T'GALLENT, MAN THEM LINES! HOIST THAT JIB! IT BE A ROVEN' WE GO NOW!!

I am seeking further information on a story I recently heard about: Pirate Gambling Markers A recent documentary (some times also docu-mockery) about the search for the sunken remains of The Fiery Dragon has turned up what they say is a "Gambling Marker". They told that they were "first found at the site of The Whydah" and now half way around the world in Madagascar in a wreckage belived to be that of The Fiery Dragon. The gambling marker is described to be about the size of a postage stamp and bears an 'X' on it; one picture they showed indicates there may be other marking on the opposite side, perhaps that of a coin. The area indicates that the newest one found is from around 1712. They stated that these 'gambling markers' are "Known exclusively to Pirates" - it was said "Since gambling for money was forbbin on ship, to avoid temptations and throat slittings, pirates would use these markers in their games to represent the money they would be paid once on land". As they say these markers where found upon The Whydah and now also upon The Fiery Dragon, I thought I could find further information about their useage, values, etc - but so far nothing has turned up. Anyone else heard this story, anyone been able to track down further information on these Gambling Markers and their use in game?

AVAST! Bout time one o' ye blaggards open th' door fer me! Been knock'n fer moths I have been! Well, now that I have said me greets - HELLO - I must swaggar down fer t' attend some business here...

Aye, I can add one fer this har 3D thread! Just finished this one this morn: "A Buccaneer's Last Resort"

Ok, so it would appear that wigs, tails, bag wigs, and bows did appear during the GAoP, just so far none specifically depicted on a "common sailor"...but then since when was a 'pirate' a 'common sailor'? As I recall it has been stated that Pirates enjoyed mocking, mimicking, and simply thumbing their nose at "gentlemen" and at royalty....I don't recall any images of pirates wearing silk, lace, and other refineries yet we know they stole them and of course would not have them long once they made safe port somewhere, but until then or should they need to come ashore in less-then-friendly ports, would it not make reason that if they so wished then they would wear them? Also I had read long ago, not "sailor lore" per-se, but speaking of common landlubber folk that those who could not afford a wig would sometimes attempt to grow their own 'tail' (queue, whatever). It seems to me that to search for "images" or even writings of EVERY conceivable concept of a "pirate at sea" (or on land for that matter) would be a search in vain. Simply because most writings and images would be done to not put too much emphasis on mocking the royalty, but rather to make them look evil, disgusting so as not to offend the king (queen, monarch, etc). I know I would not want to be the editor of a parchment and image that made a loathsomely pirate appear more grandeur then the king!! But we do know Calico Jack was quite the dandy, and others had what about Captain Kidd, did he dress as a "common" sailor? Then what about the thousands of other pirates, some that perhaps vanished before even falling under the British Navy's radar....if there were queues Before the GAoP and queues After the GAoP as well as queues on "gentlemen" During the GAoP......hmmmmmmm **oh, and as far as my original post, where I asked about "a specific style..." - twas a starting point mate, lighten up fer I am seeking the 'method of', and that be that....aye, I still be seeking the how to fer wrapping me queue (without use o' tar, just the cloth) so it stays put on an active day.

Commodore Greyhound, that is pretty much to what I do now, however I use a strand of thin tared hemp (about kite string size) and just wrap it up from the tuft about 6 or 7 wraps then thread it back down (with a needle, actually my girlfriend does it) and then tie it off at the beginning in a knot. I then use a strip of black linen to tie the bow at the top of the braid. But I would like to figure out a way to properly wrap the whole braid in cloth, and still have the bow, attached or not, tied at the top. Fox: don't think I have ever seen any pictures from the GAoP specifically but the queue has been around through many cultures since nearly the beginning of time, and worn in many many different styles...perhaps not specifically "British", "French", or "Spanish", but I am pretty sure they were not the only ones on the waters during GAoP, or aboard a pirate ship. I am pretty sure you have seen many of ancient Chinese wearing a queue. And there was one document I read some years ago that described a period when the British Navy in its early days had troubles with some sailors, as I recall they where trying to get more organized (with uniforms and such) and when the order was given for the men to cut their queues they "nearly had a revolt on their hands"....can't recall just when or where I had read that. But braids, pony tails and such have long been worn by men throughout history and cultures. If you read up on the history of wigs you will find a lot about the era's fascination with long hair, curls, and ribbons dating back as far as Queen Elizabeth herself.

Aye M.A.d'Dogge, the sack would be fine enough, and the doubling of one's hair does lend fer a fuller look, however I intend t' keep mine at about 6inch and want t' pursue the tied look. If anyone knows how th' profishonal hair dressers do it kindly let me know.

Mission: What for would I want'a "make one m'self" when I have already Grown one m'self in Proper period style...honestly I am not sure that pirates, or others of the period actually "made" one themselves, more likely they purchased, stole, or otherwise accosted a wig if they could not grow one themselves. I recall some readings that some men just shaved their heads and wore wigs simply because it kept the lice away as well..but ne'r heard o' one that 'made' he's own wig...unless perhaps he twas a wig maker already. MajorChaos: I was thinking of using a longer piece as well, but my queue is not all that thick as it grows only off the back o me neck, not from the sides (I also gotta please them cor-pirates as well ye knows) so thinner must be the better fer me....I have seen many on screen but never one I can zoom in on to see how they done it. PoD: I will have to see if I can find the link that mentioned it, there was actually a 'period' name for such a silken pouch...one place I think I actually saw one in use was in the movie "Buccaneer", worn by the evil governor and can be seen in at least one scene. Basically it be just a thin lacy silk pouch with ties on the end, drop yer queue inside and tie th' ends (at yer head side) just read further and saw jendobyns' statement; yup, that be th' Bagwig I mentioned. Ok, jendobyns' seems to have a good one about the pain the British soldiers went through...but how can we reproduce this with such extreme....

You have seen them in the movies, you have seen them in paintings and woodcarvings; the short braid or tail worn on the back of the head. But how do they Wrap them in black? I have read that some sailors used eel skin as it be water proof and the purpose of wrapping the queue was to prevent the salt from the ocean spray from building in the braid then drying out and becoming abrasive on the neck. I have read that landlubbers and gents would wrap them with silk ribbon or cloth, there is even one mention of a "silk pouch" being used that would cover the whole queue including the tip. But what I can not find is just HOW the wrap would be made, sure enough to last the whole day (and while working on and below deck) without it coming all undone?? I have tried wrapping from the bottom up and using the ends for the top bow - no good, it unwraps from the bottom, kinda walks itself up then unwraps once loosened..... Does anyone know, have leads to detailed information, or perhaps know a period wig maker that may know this mystery? I am sure someone today knows, just look at all the wrapped queues in the movies (Master and Commander, Damn the Defiant, Horatio Hornblower, and such)

I had done some searching a while back on indentured servants and had come across a site that listed hundereds, if not thousands of indentured servant contracts but now can not find it again... The site was searchable by name, it would then give you a one or two page sample of the document(s) and for a fee you could purchase the whole thing (one person's contract at a time, not the whole lot). I had done a search on Madl and found one, not sure if he be a real relative but it claimed he was indentured as a carpenter upon arrival to America and a little bit more - one line you can only 'sample' the document not read the whole thing...I did another search on me mum's side for Allison, and TON came up!! The site claimed that many were obtained through various Estate Sales and other sources. Has anyone heard or seen such a site?

Commodore Greyhound; for Loyalist Arms' shoes, they are custom made to order and not 'off the shelf', so ye be guaranteed a good fit; however, ye must order then wait...'n wait....'n wait some more, about 4 t' 6 month if ye lucky. But th' wait be well worth th' wait.

Two years now and still going strong! I really love these Whydah shoes, best fit shoes I ever had actually. I broke one buckle but luckily had a spare. I do cheat however, do to all the pavement we walk on in these modern days I have coated the bottoms with shoe goo, figure it be much more cheaper then getting these 're-souled', I have recoated them three times now and they have lasted for at LEAST three dozen events with Plenty o' walk'n!

What about leather? I know leather predates the GAoP and leather hardening techniques have been around since midevil day. The Royal Armories museum offers this one: Royal Armories Meseum Shop it states: however I have not seen nor read anywhere of their findings after 1500/1600 ? ************************* To reply to m'self, I just came across this "The History of Leather Drinking Vessels" on a UK page; they claim: and they go on to say they were still used in the 20th century and popular among the mining and steel industries; but I digress as we are all 'dead' by this time... The History of Leather Drinking Vessels