Matty Bottles

I have also seen a diagram in Anthony Randolph's thesis about the cordwaining techniques displayed in the shoes salvaged from the Belle, which sank in the gulf of mexico leaving New orleans in the early 18th century, I believe, that shows holes being punched through the tongue as well and laced through both the latchets and tongue, but I don't know that is either necessary or wise. The latchets alone seem more than capable of holding the shoe, and I would leave the tongue alone.

I, too, am interested in non-British (English, Welsh, and Scots) pirate information. If you don't mind, could you explain a little bit more what you mean about the image being similar to earlier fashions? Do you have a picture of those earlier fashions?

This is what I did, and I think they turned out rather well. You may want to ask the rest of the crew what THEY think, but I liked them. In fact, I took pictures of the process of me trimming the shoes, and was going to post them on the pub, but I had so much to do to get ready for this past weekend's event that I didn't have time. Here is the link.

I have to agree. This event was awesome on a variety of levels. Yeah, it was hot, but we found ways of dealing with that, so by Sunday I was comfortably wearing my woolen sailor jacket. I had never been to a history-based event, but by nightfall of the first evening I had volunteered to man a boat for the invasion with my crewmates, and by the second day I had assisted in a hanging (and I concur, very professionally done and very FUN), a weapons demo, and had been killed in a swordfight on the bluff. I would definately go again next year, and I would encourage others to go, to. historyfanatic is a fun guy to work with; he's open to new ideas and suggestions, and seems very focused on maximizing the fun for everyone. Check this event out.

Good to see you, Bo. I wondered were you'd got to. You're back just in time for an avater contest!

Bilge - I can't believe I didn't tell you this the other day, I feel like a dope. I understand that the hessian shoe from Sutler of Mount Misery has a uniquely early 18th century look to the tongue, in particular. The latchett's might still be large, but I wonder if they could be feasibly cut down. It might be worth checking out.

After that picture show, the anticipation of camping with you folks is building to nigh-intolerable levels.

I remember seeing that. That was a pretty copol exhibit, and it was the first time I paid money to attend that museum. As a local, I don't fall for the tourist kitsch.

I could be wrong, but I though that Manhattan was available - but I don't know if it's for sailing.

I'd also be interested in plans for modifying my own, if the price was right...

Well, if price is no object, I'd love a historical New England village, complete with wooden piers, cobblestone streets (where the streets are paved at all), and period construction buildings. The outhouses would actually be functional toilets, though, and the building would have cleverly hidden running water. We have advanced, after all. Parking would be some distance away, with attendees having to walk in or take a ride on a horse-drawn wagon. A small fort and gaol would be built, too. There would also be at least three functional, sailing, period tallships in the harbor, with any number of little seacraft for ferrying attendees and goods about. Garb or kit would be mandatory: while not strictly historically accurate, you would have to at least attempt to look the part - basically, no t-shirts and jeans. By the same token, I expect people to treat each other civilly, and without thread criticism. Goods and services, including food, would be purchased with replica coins. A bank or moneylender would allow you to exchange your modern money for historical money, and vice versa. The coincs would not be straight replicas, but somehow stamped uniquely so that people couldn't buy other replicas and take advantage of the exchange rate. The necessary modern accessories would be in period buildings, and only accessible on an as-needed basis, such as medical facilities and telecommunications equipment. Entertainment would be period too, or at least approximately. If instruments are to be amplified, the actual equipment would either by restricted to the stage or cleverly disguised.

Sort of. They have a tendency to die off in the spring and coat the shores with dead fish all summer.

Leather it is. I'm going to try to put it all together and post it this weekend sometime.

I'm getting married in September, and have had to spend wisely (or less unwisely) as well, so I totally farbed a pair from a pair of shoes I bought on ebay. I'm going to post the pics of the project soon. They are farby as heck, but they will do until I decide how far I'm going to go with this. Say, that remind me: these farby shoes are going to be tied. Is leather laces/thong better, or silk ribbon? ANyone know?

Michael, did you order those hessian shoes, and if so, have you received them?

My advice for you is to visit www.gentlemenoffortune.com. GoF, who is a member of this pub, has put together a terrific resource for historic-minded pirate reenactors. There may be better pics or better documentation elsewhere (for example, scattered through out the Pub), but GoF's site is comprehensive, well organized, and much of the information is all in the same place, so it is simply easier to get your answers.

God, I hope not.

Bilgemunky, maybe you could get a letter of marque from Quebec or Texas - i'm pretty sure they both regard themselves as independent, sovereign governments, and they're both probably crazy enough to issue one...

im SO glad scientists throughout the centuries didnt think that way. Apples and oranges. Scientists research through observation; historians through people's records of observation~. Captain Tightpants said he hadn't seen documentation, callenish produces the documentation. That, not logical supposition or casuistry*, won the day. No matter what side the argument, documentation trumps supposition. Don't dis documentation; it's a losing position. ~I should say, this is one way historians research. *I am not accusing anyone of casuistry, just making a point.

Question: What is the distinction between an account of a European going native, being stained, and essentially staying native, and of a European being stained and resuming his travels? Is such a distinction significant? If you can't agree, I fear you will simply argue in circles.

Methinks Hurricane means he does not care for the ornament, to such a degree that it makes him want to abandon the 'holiday' of Christmas all together.

I have a book at home (which I'll have to look at again to night) with a diagram for a flintlock repeating fire arm operating a similar principle as the Gatling gun! Apparently it was deemed impractical.

Is #12 perhaps a large caliber multibarrel?

I know what you mean, Hester! I like POTC, but once I saw those skeleton pirates, I thought to myself: "This movie should have been 'On Stranger Tides.'"

I find Gilkerson infuriatingly sparse on pre-1750 information, and he will routinely include pictures of a cutlass with no more information than it is a 'typical 17th century shell guard cutlass.' Gee, thanks. That's such helpful documentation.