MadL

Aye Mcdrago, I have heard o' th' garment dist, however I do not know just 'where' it be for all me life here other then China Town 'n Alvera Street I avoid downtown Los Angeles like the scurvy I do. I have heard ye do indeed need a guide as well as need t' know yer fabric for a fabric neo-phite such as I walk in and ask (provided ye can understand th' language spoken) it be ALL "Exactly what ye want, yes, yes, this is it, this is ALL it; you buy now! you buy now!" I have listened in on a few conversations of folk who have been down there, bout all I know is they say "Avoid the place that calls itself 'The Ren Shop'" for apparently all they sell be crap and th' shop keep will rip ye off (could be just someone's personal experience, could be true...). But it would seem t' me that if th' Port o' Los Angeles' garment district would have brocade in natural fiber then it should also be found 'Outside' th' garment dist; on-line suppliers, costume makers, local fabric stores, etc. For after all, th' garment dist is th' main west coast port o' entry for all these others, right? Unless them Hollywood designers go there each week 'n buy it all up so none ever get out....

yup, have spent the last 6 to 8 hours on Google and Ebay; came up with Nata. went through renaissance fabrics a few hours ago, their "brocade" is rayon but they do have a silk Damask Gold, but I don't want one that bright. I did find one place with a brown version of the Damask Gold; but alas it was "Out of Stock" Well, guess that is it after more then half a day o' scouring Google and Ebay, this morning I even took a drive to Joana's (?) in town, searched for all kinds of "brocade" (silk, cotton, linen (came up nada), hemp, and several other search definitions)....looks like natural fiber brocade is dead in America... Rather then poly or rayon I would prefer to go solid color.. Warning: should I ever come t' visit and find ye have natural fabric draperies with brocade pattern - "Hey, Look'ee That O'er There!!!" *snip snip snip*

Seeking resources for Brocade patterned fabric - NO POLY or Rayon I have found a couple scattered sources but only Red or bright Blue patterns available at this time; I am looking for earth tones or greens (not lime or florescent) Any suggestions for finding brocade natural fabric by the yardage?

Do we have any kind of time frame on these yet?

That looks interesting bbcddutchman! Might that be a square sennit running the up the center? But I can not make out th' large spiral knot at th' bottom, and that handle looks interesting, in th' photo ye appear t' have some lashing all way round - is that multiple line in the handle that ye sewed together as one or perhaps what looks like lashing is some kind of cover sewed over? A ditty bag is me next major project, so I can learn t' stitch without get'n stuch, but currently all is on hold till I get coin flow'n again....

Just came across this....well, actually I think it was just released: Air Steamship by DAZ - Free for a short time It's a CGI 3D model of an Air Steamship, not a "pirate" ship but can be modified to such. It can be used in a variety of 3D rendering programs, DAZ also has such a program for free called DAZ:Studio, not as full featured as others but getting fairly mature (still buggy IMO). If anyone here uses Poser, Vue, Carrara, Bryce, or other such programs then these 'models' will work in them (Poser & DAZ:Studio naively, the others with just a few tweaks) I have another, much more better one IMO, that I have been meaning to get rendered for you but just have not had that much time for art lately, plus the one I have has many add-ons and takes some time just to set up, let alone render with full sky background and such. This is the one I currently have: Orient Express

There's a Pirates of the Caribbean ride?!!

ROTDLMAO!!!! RIGHT! Regular shower'n be SO over rated, that be what th' good Lord give us Rain fer anyway! If it ain't rain'n then ye aint stink'n! Don't like it? Take it up with th' captain up top deck!

People who get in th' "Express Lane" at th' store know Full Well they have over 15 items in their cart (I have counted over 30 on some!), they stand there in line and Avoid making eye-contact as ye size up their over loaded cart...they KNOW full well what they are doing! even worse yet be when they get t' the checker and suddenly remember they Forgot something and ask th' clerk, being polite th' clerk calls for assistance and we All have t' wait while th' box boy/girl is sent t' fetch Yet Another item! Also people who think they are So Friendly that they strike up a conversation with th' clerk (wait, I'm not done yet...) and because they are So Friendly they keep talking, keep talking, discuss religion, politics, how t' make th' earth "greener" and their purchase has already been rung up and bagged, th' clerk is waiting politely for an opportunity for them t' SHUT THEIR MOUTH so he/she could ask for th' money, then even after paying and receiving their change they KEEP TALKING and just stand there as if they are the only one in th' line - meantime th' long gets longer, ones at th' end begin moving on thinking th' register must be out of order - and this "friendly person" (so rudely t' everyone Standing in line patiently waiting their turn) KEEPS TALKING! Everyone casting her evil glares, ones in th' back mumbling "move along lady!" - then FINALLY getting th' message (or perhaps about t' pass out fer lack of air because their trap never shut t' take a breath) they wish th' clerk a wonderful fantastic day and FINALLY move out of everyone's way - th' clerk then looks at me as I move up and rolls her eye whispering "I have No Idea what she was talking about " Ya, me peeve be "friendly people" that are so 'friendly' that they are down right Rude t' everyone around them. Another one be people who do not LOOK where they are going - they walk through a door with their goose neck fixed on something still outside, they do not even walk a straight line so others can walk around, no, instead they THINK they know where they are going and actually make a turn and start going in another direction (usually th' one ye be using in attempt t' miss running into them). Usually this be some young kid with pants hanging around their knees and their boxer shorts pulled up over their chest. And if ye do run into them then they give ye their 'evil eye' or even say "Watch it!" - NAY, do NOT pull that on me! I grew up in carnivals, I learned at an early age how t' weave me way in great haste through extreme crowds with nary disturbing anyone I pass (I hope, I duck, I dodge, and weave - but I do not crash into anyone or knock anything from anyone's hand...at carnival that could literally start a riot!) and should I ever run into anyone I STOP and apologize. Yet another one be them people that, some a reason I have yet t' grasp, always think a door way t' a public establishment (such as a grocery store) be a good place t' STOP, dead center they just STOP, begin t' check their wallet, their hand bag, read th' receipt or their shopping list. These also usually be them what likes t' park their shopping cart DEAD CENTER in th' isle while they read th' ingredients on the package, blocking the isle so others can't get past...then give ye a dirty look when ye get tiered o' standing there, blocked from th' items ye be trying t' reach so ye Squeeze past them - I have even had these RUDE S.O.B.S say such things as "Boy your rude" and other such comment.......If ye gonna stop while shopping then PULL IT OVER T' THE SIDE! And if ye don't then do Not think it 'others' that be rude because ye Force them t' push their way through....nay, I do not say "excuse me" to someone so obviously discourteous t' other shoppers....I do however say "excuse me" if they be properly standing in front of something I am after and I choose t' reach for it if they be taking too long for me own taste. Oh, and one more: Young lassies who wear short short skirts and high heals with loose tops and no bra then go shopping off th' bottom rows! Now that just be RUDE! That is So distracting!! Do ye have Any Idea how many times I have gone All Th' Way Home just t' realize I FORGOT something I was supposed t' get simply because o' one o' them tarts?!!!

Funny thing bout this; Holding th' door open for 'X' be an American thing. When me military tour o' duty sent me t' Germany in 1983 I learn'd that over there it is RUDE t' hold th' door open for someone - Reason: in th' olden days as well as their traditional narrow roads, often with no "sidewalks", one never knows what is on th' other side o' that door; entering a building there could be a brawl going on inside, exiting a building there could be a speeding horse carriage (today even a speeding car or bicyclist with blinders on!) and therefor ye would NOT hold open a door and shove a dainty woman through t' see if it be 'safe' on th' other side before ye pass through!! NAY! Th' proper gentleman would Go Through That Door FIRST in order t' make sure it be safe before th' proper lady would enter/exit through that unknown portal! - makes sense t' me!! So, I was married when I was there so I quickly adapted t' th' German's more logical approach and upon returning t' America it twas simple second nature for me t' rush up and enter th' door BEFORE th' ladies....over there th' Germans thought I was a rude ill raised barbarian when I first got there, upon returning t' th' backward America (here we force th' women t' check th' safety on th' other side - after all, women are Expendable, loose one ye just call upon yer spare - "Hello, Linda? Ya, I just lost Suzy in a tragic door exiting accident, are ye free tonight?") Well, with that said; I am a rather quiet person, I gain 'connection' t' those I trust and care about and we need say few words t' communicate, I do naught NEED t' be touchy feely nor continuously enforce me intentions upon them, and if they are th' 'touchy feely' kind that must reminded every few seconds that I still be there for them, then they can just move on - therefore, I express my intentions and emotions via me body language - a 'Nod' in yer direction means "Thank'ee" or "Okay" or "I concur" where on th' other hand, a 'Glare' accompanied with No nod means "Move It Or Loose It" or simply "CUR!" What annoys me tis when someone holds th' door open for me and I Do nod politely me content t' their action (they are probably some week ilk that needs me protection anyway) and they get all huffy and declare "Well DONT say thanks" - in those cases I turn and give them th' Glare indicating "Well then, I TAKE BACK me node - ye bloody ilk!" A slightly different example: Me last job had a Cross Walk just out th' main door on a side street leading t' th' parking lot, it be Clearly Marked - now, a cross walk with cross painted stripes and a flashing Yellow light with big sign means "STOP FOR PEDESTRIANS". Now, many workers there just barge out into th' cross walk in front of cars and Force them t' stop - Not me, I don't trust people in driver seats! I always stop at th' curb and Make Sure th' car coming down th' street comes t' a stop, then I proceed and give them a thankful nod o' me head and a smile. BUT, one day it was raining, I stopped for a suburban was coming down th' street (different story but I DO NOT trust women drivers in suburbans anymore!!!), well, th' lass stopped and I proceeded, me head was bent down protecting from th' on coming rain BUT I did raise me head as I passed in front and gave her a nod - NOW, that bloody ill raised *BEEP BEEP* of a female Rolls down her window and shouts out t' me in an angry huff "WELL DONT SAY THANK YOU THEN!" - - - (but I did, I did not have t' raise me head - In The Rain - and give her a thank'ee nod as I rushed t' get out of the rain - But I DID!!) -> So I Stopped, right there in the rain, and hollard back at her "WHAT?!! I Nodded At Ye! What Do Ye Want, A Happy Thank'ee Dance?!!?" and began t' give her a 'Happy Thank'ee Dance' right there in th' rain, then followed by giving her a bird (hey, they say "A Bird On The Hand Be Better Then Two In Th' Bush" ) some people just don't INSIST on having it Their Way, I say No, ye will get it MY Way or No Way! After all; Ye can't please everyone so ya gotta please yer self (hey, not my quote!....hmmm, me right hand be much stronger then me left...hmmmm)

People who drive 10mile Under th' speed limit in th' Passing Lane (that be th' #1 lane in th' west, inner most lane) People who Insist on driving ONLY th' speed limit in th' #2 lane People who drive Under th' speed limit and upon entering th' freeway feel they MUST go directly t' th' carpool lane People who Insist on driving just off yer tail in th' next lane over because they do not trust their own speedometer (they speed up when ye speed up, slow down when ye slow down - MOVE IT, I BE TRYING T' GET OVER CUR!!) Jack Rabbit drivers in heavy traffic People who drive like they just killed a whole case o' rum (can naught drive a straight line more then two feet) People on city streets who do naught know where their next turn be nor which way they will turn yet Refuse t' pull OFF th' road and figure it out but instead pull several false turns (generally without signaling) yet Refuse t' yield right away t' th' rest o' us who DO KNOW HOW T' DRIVE 'N WHERE WE BE HEAD'N. oh, and pink Cadillacs

I hear a mixture o' vinegar 'n water helps ...I'm just say'n, after all I was married once

people who wear so much perfume or colon that ye gag when they walk by - OUTSIDE And DOWN WIND! butterflies, puppies, kittens, pink frilly things, luffas hanging in th' shower, and an empty rum bottle

Sticky - just finish'd me knotty dagger sheath 'n tarred it, now I got Stockholm all over me hands....but I smells good!

I just use them live 'n flop'n about; ye just run th' hook through their nose (these days they be pre-drill'd there anyhow, if not then check their tongue or even their eyebrow) then toss them over, pay th' line out 'bout twenty or thirty yards 'n troll till ye gets a bit oh, 'n always piss aft to the stern, unless ye be sail'n backward

Just one word: Thai Stone Deodorant well, actually that be three words, but I have not purchased deodorant now in almost two year but have through two o' these rocks (and a couple bottles o' th' Thai Stone foot powder). However I do shower once in a while...as long as no one teases me about me rubber duckie or me life preserver ring or me snorkel

Pirates do naught take showers ye see fer many o' them can naught swim

Well, I am not knot tying in public at any kind o' show but in th' privacy o' me own room so I have not been using any "fancy" tools as of yet; th' "pricker" as I call'd it simply be an awl from th' local 99cent Store what has a bent tip to it, sort of a lazy-S as th' bend makes it easier t' get in and grab th' small line for small knot stuff, th' awl (pricker) be of th' small variety just 6 inch long with a plastic screw driver type handle. I also have a straight one and a larger ice-pick type one with wooden handle. For th' twine, I have now: * 5-Ply Hemp Twine (not tarred) * all 4 sizes of Tarred Marlene that American Rope & Tar offers (gone through 1 each hank o' 1.6mm and 1.1 mm so had t' get more...th' larger sizes come in much larger 'balls' and last a good long time...so far) * and some cheap jute and other cord for practice before I start with th' expensive tarred and hemp line * also get some Bee's Wax cakes for th' Non-Tarred line, I found th' bee's wax causes th' tarred line t' become like putty so be forewarned! But ye will need it for any bare line! For tools: *The awls (prickers) mentioned above *Also a good medium and large sized sailor's needle for th' stitching knots (I found some #16, #17 on Ebay, got me #10 and an Osborne Bent needle from RW Rope Warehouse) *Some Krazy Glue (helps t' harden th' working end for threading th' medium sized lines, also I read Duco Cement be favored by knot tiers) There be some other tools 'n gadgets I hope t' get later once I have work again, and coin coming in, but fer now this is all I have t' work with. For References: As I have found none that specifically mention th' 17th Century and beyond I have been using a variety o' online web site tutorials and th' afore mentioned two books which I managed t' grab before Xerox laid me off with me last formal pay: "The Arts Of The Sailor" & "The Marlinespike Sailor" by Hervey Garrett Smith For websites I have found these great ones for tutorials with good pictures and references: Knot Heads World Wide (Louie Batos, author o' "Making a Sailor's Traditional Ditty Bag and Sea Bag" be a member here as well!) Frayed Knots (his tutorials are rough but much inspiration, he is also a member I noticed at Knot Heads World Wide) There are several more I have bookmarked but these are th' main two I keep returning to. Info on above photo: I started with th' Stage Sword handle; I used Overhand Grafting with 1.6mm Tarred Marlene for th' 'Fillers' and 1.1mm Tarred Marlene for th' 'Warp' run. I started with just a tight wrap at th' guard for about an inch (later covered with a Turk's Head) then began th' grafting and ended about an inch (or less) from th' pommel (also covered with a smaller line Turk's Head). Ye really need th' bent awl (pricker) t' tighten them Turk's Heads, especially near th' guard!!! Note: Make sure yer 'Fillers' be o' UnEven number! otherwise ye will have issues with th' Under-Over count and have t' compensate t' hide yer error as I did (corrected when I did me sharpie ) When I did th' Sharpie Sword (on top in th' photo) I ran into and issue trying t' tighten me Turk's Head at the pommel, due t' th' slope it kept wanting t' slide down and refused t' tighten in a pretty manor, I had Capt'n Erik look at it at LORE and he suggested a 'wider' Turk's Head (I think 5 by 7) he showed it t' me but I still can't figure it out, he had a wonderful book he suggested with great step-by-step photos but alas I can afford no more books at this time so I switched and simply wrapped it with a type o' wrap I learned years ago when restoring old fishing rods, it uses no knots. For that wrap just start with a 'tag' of about 3/4 inch, begin wrapping very tightly laying each turn side-by-side, this will hold yer starting end with No Knot needed. Using a separate piece o' line (be sure it is of STRONG line but not something that will cut yer working line!) make a 'U' shape and begin laying it Under yer wraps so that th' bight will be exposed at th' end o' yer wrapping with th' loose ends exposed from within th' wraps - make sure th' ends are long enough as ye will need a Good Grip on them t' finish! Once ye reach th' end o' yer wrapping just thread about 3/4 inch of th' tail end through th' loop (bight) and use th' loose ends t' pull it under yer wraps, this will secure th' final end using No Knot! I do add a tiny drop o' glue just where it goes under however, just added security that it don't slip with rigorous handling (most books, as well as fishing poles, state ye would varnish th' entire work at this point - but that just would not be 'period' says I!) If ye be sure ye do all yer work TIGHT then it is very secure, even for th' handle o' a sword - th' Turk's Heads however, tighten them Slowly, take yer time, watch what yer doing, each one has taken me from two to four days t' fully tighten (about an hour or more at a time) and th' last one totally bent me pricker!) The Bamboo Needle Case: I started with a section o' bamboo, cut t' size leaving one end cut BELOW th' elbow so it be naturally sealed (closed), found a cork at a local hobby shop t' fit th' other end (me rum corks all are too large). I am still trying t' figure out how t' make a Star Knot as used at Frayed Knots; Capt'n Erik tells me that th' book is missing a step but th' answer be in th' written directions...still trying t' figure it out, so for this case I have gone without. I began with a Fender Hitch also referred t' as a Rib Stitch using th' 5-Ply non-tarred Hemp twine. Took that about half way down leaving room on both ends for Turk's Heads (tie them all LAST). Then I switched t' Needle Hitching only instead o' doing it loose as ye see people do on bottles I pulled it all Tight, I read somewhere that if done tightly it creates a "near water proof finish" and it "makes nearly anything slip proof". Then I tied th' middle Turk's Head with 1.6mm tarred Marlene 'n th' two ends ones with 2.4mm tarred Marlene, I used 1.1mm t' thread down th' cork doubled with me needle and th' two outer loose ends back under me Turk's Head t' secure it after I tied simple over hand knots giving it kinda a braided appearance. I slapped some Stockholm tar on th' ends (notice th' darkness) and still debating if t' cover th' whole thing or perhaps finish covering just th' two outer Turk's Heads. (oh ya, I also got a pint o' tar from American Rope as well). For th' two Daggers: These where easy and only took about an hour each; I used French Hitching on each o' them with 2.4mm tarred Marlene using th' 'fishing rod' method explained above for both th' start and finishing ends. *Note: for th' none 'fishing rod' type wraps I begin with a Constrictor Knot, on th' Bamboo Needle case me first one loosened up as I was working on th' other knots so I dabbed th' end with glue (hidden under th' Turk's Head later on, good thing I caught it) That odd looking white spiral do-hicky is just a Turk's Head from my first practice run in cheap cotton rope then flattened out, which I found is also th' basis for Rope Mats o' which I also want t' make some of now...naught for 'wearing' o' course (less ye want th' wenches wiping their feet upon ye) but just fer home deco. Ye can make them in a variety o' shapes and sizes. Also another project I have yet t' get to will be some Tarred Rope/Twine Grommets sized for me belt, I figure it would be a grand way t' secure some items such as me boarding axe! I have also replaced many o' me leather and other lanyards with Tarred Marlene what I have braided with three and four strand braids and me main necklace what hangs me crocodile tooth and skull beads is now o' tarred marlene as well! (suppose I should have added them t' th' photo - forgot all about them ). I still have one however what is o' a strong cord, it secures me Fairy Cross, Shark's tooth, 'n several other charm beads all strung down th' middle; as it broke once before and I lost some I will stick with what they are now strung on as it seems nearly unbreakable!

I have been bored between classes 'n have take'n t' tie'n 'n wrap'n what ever I can get me hands on...no bottles as yet but all me shapies now be covered: Note: as there be no proof that sailors in th' 17th Century partook in creative knot tying perhaps this thread should be moved t' "Beyond Piracy" or such? After all, reason would stand that rope was expensive then 'n there be no wood cuts or paintings of such folly.

Th' "breeches" do naught use a 'belt', they have a gusset in th' back with a lace (I replace th' string with leather me self) what hold them up. As fer th' pistol, that could either be stuff'd down yer sash or a belt (I recommend a belt clip) or ye can get two pistol 'n use a silk cord (or strap) t' wear them around yer neck. As fer th' breeches, I find a well made pair with good material (an inner liner helps) will stay up just fine all day - t' include walk'n full faire, carousing aboard ship, get'n drunk, wench case'n, 'n evade'n th' local constable - but th' thin pair I have with no liner (from Jas) will stretch horrible if they get wet, such as sweat'n on a hot day, 'n by th' end o' day ye be hold'n them up with one hand once th' gusset be tight as it can get. (naught a problem I have had with either o' me lined pair)

Aye, it appears he was, so does this make him English?: And from another common found blurb on Walter: That one however makes no notion o' his birth place but does appear t' acknowledge th' statement of: "His opportunity came when Roberts took off after a prize, leaving Kennedy, as Lieutenant, in charge of one of the ships, in which he promptly sailed away (in turn leaving Roberts with a certain aversion to Irishmen ever after)." Oh, m'bad then. See'n as how there be no historical record o' a German lad having ever met an Irish lass in England and having a half-breed offspring that later took t' pirating as well as it be true that there appear t' be no records of Germanic pirates during th' GAoP, I will drag me carcass out o' yer beloved Captain Twill fer this German-Irish American has no desire t' portray what he is naught ('n aye, I did said "bloody English")

I know o' th' three I have had, and one returned, theirs has been th' finest made. They fully line th' inside and me last pair lasted a whole year and probably will do a few more. Ones from Jas Townsend are not lined, I found them far too thin however that may be more true t' period but certainly would naught last long, naught with th' way I go through cloth...color on th' other hand, VERY hard t' find what ye want on th' net, what 'looks' brown is red, what 'looks' grey is green...bloody Internet be color blind I think

That was th' whole trouble, could not see what was in th' box. The first time they showed it, it was quite convincing, made me think there was something t' th' whole tinderbox setup I was missing out on...but th' second time they showed it, well, that was just too unreal, especially when he [/i]threw[/i] th' box and the flame did not scatter or even dim....NOT real flame at all (well, perhaps real if powered by a gas fuel) As for Tow, th' bag I have is linen, catches pretty well, but not well enough t' work as a lighter.

*German Pirates* Klaus Störtebeker (pirate or hero, depending on what side o' th' deck ye stand), Barnim VI, Duke of Pomerania, Gottfried Michaelsen, Klein Henszlein, Magister Wigbold, Cord Widderich, Victual Brothers, Hennig Wichmann (th' rest where so good at it they all got away....un-named) *Irish Pirates* Anne Bonny, Edward England, Walter Kennedy, Grace O'Malley hmmm, th' list does not account for Richard Noland from th' Whydah? - it would appear a 'complete census' is unobtainable from today's lists, without 'complete crew listings....or perhaps ye meant t' say "How may non-anglo CAPTAINS can ye name?" As for German or Irish seamen; nay, I am adopting an English appearance, that does not change th' blood what runs through me nor through me character. As ye state, the bloody English ruled th' seas, so I might as well "blend in" - is that not what everyone here keeps saying t' do? As for "bloody backs" - well, that is just what I see from the military re-enactors, even at last year's last sail fest, they all had on red coats. *Celts* Aye, I thought I had read th' statement "Celtic was still very much alive" in a passage on th' "Flight of the earls" (yes, pre-GAoP) but I stand corrected, it was even before then, 13th Century. In th' 16th Century (time of "Flight of the earls") th' history does state" "Ulster, until this time the most Catholic and Celtic region of Ireland, begins to be transformed into a Protestand stronghold as the Engish set about the process of plantation, it is not the first attempt to form a settlement in Irland..." (hmmm, sounds like they where actually English, not Irish. Sounds like Irish where still either Catholic or Celitic...aye?) ...'n did I naught state that me mum "fled Ireland"? And as for "real history"; I do not belive I ever stated I was portraying me 'true' ancestor's story. True it would be that if I where picking a character out of the history book and stating that I be he then I would have much t' consider; but seeing as th' pirate Mad L be a character unto he'm self, THAT gives me legroom t' work with :angry:

Sorry Foxe, but not so 'irrelevant' when 90% of th' time "European" is tossed about the description o' red coats or blue coats follow (among other clearly "English" traits 'n traditions). True it be that Germany and Ireland be classified as being located in "Europe", yet it seem so often that Americans when citing history seem t' describe 'Europe' as all being like what is seen in England. The peoples o' Ireland, Germany, France, and Spain are indeed quite different then those from England, different in culture, of dress, of many things. So I am left wondering when one states "not seen in European pirates" do they also include th' French and Spanish? It seems in th' way o' weapons, dress, and personal effects they begin t' site 'English' with disregard t' rest o' 'Europe'. While England paid not much attention t' historic Germany, they were in much battle in Ireland. Irish and Germain peoples where accepted not much better in England then they were in early Colonial America, in many cases just second class citizens, in some select cases not much more then slaves and only suited for work in mines and on rail roads (Germans excepted as they did tend t' be allowed t' keep meager shops, but still not much trusted in main stream 'English' settlements). While I have not seen a complete list o' th' Whydah's crew, there are a few bios on th' website that site among th' crew was: Welsh, Scottish, Half-blood Mosquito Indian (Bellamy's pilot), African-Dutch, Irish (Bellamy's quartermaster), and an American (born in Rhode Island). It also states there from 30 to 40 of African decent "all treated as equals". It states about th' half-blood pilot John Julian; "On land, Julian's skin made him a nobody, on water his skill made him a somebody. He eventually piloted the Whydah..." - which also tends t' debunk another statement I once heard that 'English ships were maned by English, Spanish ships by Spanish, French by French' and that where multi-cultured crews did exist the 'dominating culture ruled, the rest while not called slaves pretty much still were' (not exact words but a sum up of them); well, at least th' Pirate ship Whydah did not appear t' conform t' such. Now if ye had a crew o' rouge sailors that had a mix of cultures on board, and 30 to 40 of them were "of African decent" (which truly would be considered 'unacceptable' by th' English o' period!) and "all where treated as equals" - then somehow I find it hard t' believe that they all looked, dressed, and acted as a proper gentle Englishman would expect them to. Somehow this drums up visions of a truly multi-cultural democracy crew where they may have also shared cultures and ways. Perhaps some of them took an interest in some of the cultures the others on board brought with them....or maybe not, perhaps Bellamy beat them all into dressing and acting English/European and then told them all to "smile for the camera"