BILLY BONES

I have it, but I'm totally inept at sending pics. Let me see what I can tell you.

Maybe I've missed something. I do know I can't get John's pics, but I wouldn't get a leather cap out of Foxe's example. It appears to be a red cloth cap with the bottom folded up to expose the tan lining. Someone mentioned the workmen's cap, and I think it's a variation of that. Hard leather caps certainly existed in the military in this period, but I can't see a sailor wearing one. I've been wrong before.

Foxe,

Maybe I spoke out of turn. I believe I was referencing the often quoted and mutinous Gearge Wood, who in 1769, described walking the plank in his confessions to a priest in Newgate. I don't have the Newgate chronicles at hand, to check on this, and it probably doesn't matter. His supposed description in itself, would indicate that the practice was something out of the ordinary. Of course, any early evidence that this ocurred would be by word of mouth, but why, if the confession happened, would Wood fabricate such an ocurrence, and make the description of the act so detailed? He said this, reportedly, on the way to the gallows. There again, why would a priest fabricate such a confession?

By the way, I finally looked up your website on the subject, and see that you've used the very illustration I talked about above. As stated before, the illustration was not used in the first edition (1837) of "The Pirates Own Book". It was certainly drawn in that period, and the clothing would indicate the 1820s-30s. BB

My Gosse comment was rather tongue-in-cheek. Let me get back to you on the other. Pretty hectic around here for a Sunday morning.

The last entry, I swear !!! I have found references to walking the plank, but all of them occur in the late 18th and early to mid 19th centuries, well out of the "Golden Age", and nowhere near Captain Bonnet's period.

Interestingly, or at least to me (and probably Foxe), the first known illustration of "walking the plank" is present in the 1924 reprint of "The Pirate's Own Book", in fact, it's the first illustration in the book. I then referred to my 1837 copy, and the illustration isn't there. If you read the preface added to the 1924 reprint (Maritime Museum), it states that they added illustrations to the original from early 19th century sources. It seems odd to me that you would cave and add an engraving of what was even controversial in 1924, being "walking the death plank", to a classic 1837 pirate history. It doesn't give the original source of this illustration, but I've seen it used in several books published since 1924. I'm checking some of my early "Capt. Johnsons" now to find the original source of this illustration, which may actually have started the "walking the plank" enigma. Foxe? Any thoughts? Who cares?

Stede Bonnet and walking the plank are also briefly mentioned by Phillip Gosse, in "The Pirate's Who's Who", but he sites no documentation---but hey, it's Gosse!

Just then, Billy wobbles in, sees Merry dancin' with Richards, and feels a pang 'o jealosy, although Merry doesn't seem to know Billy exists. If Bill would only stop drinking long enough to propose a consort. Sigh

Not to be nit-picky (why am I saying that, when, of course, I'm going to be nit-picky?)but a sword has a scabbard, a knife a sheathe. I really just wrote this so I could get to the next level in the Pub.

Thanks! This helped me solve a problem I had with my decorations. BB

Silent,

I'm down near Portland. I'm sure we'll run across each other at some point.

1953 for me. My time's coming.

I shall participate again this year. Count me in.

Now, as far as the sandal question, I was wearing the same rope sandals as armorer on the Flying Dutchman. After they broke in a bit, it seemed they didn't slip at all. Then one night as we wrapped, I was going down a long ramp with my arms full of weaponry. That was it mate. My foot slipped like I was on ice, my knee crumpled, and I slid down 30 feet of ramp that had anti-slip deck tape all over it. I still have trouble walking sometimes, but I didn't drop a gun. The sandals were wet, and stayed wet for quite a while. I sure wouldn't wear them shipboard again.

This is a rather unusual topic for me, but if you like the game Metroid, the new one for the Wii has some pretty cool pirate ship boardings. I don't play, but my son does, and I'm a kibitzer (I like to watch).

Anyway, last night I dreamt of Metroid, but the pirates were of our ilk. No space aliens, just Blackbeard.

Was this worthy of a topic? It is plunder, I suppose, since someone might actually want the game now.

I don't blame "Hollywood" for not putting on the topmasts. They knew that they'd be adding them later. It's the manufacturers of the model I blame.

Why does everyone who builds a Black Pearl model, refuse to make the masts their full functional heighth? They seem to always copy the Pearl built for the film WHICH PURPOSELY HAD NO TOP MASTS ---those were put in later with CGI. You would think that if you were going to tool up for something you wanted to charge that much for, you'd do a little research.

Don't forget about BUFF leather as well. It was certainly around during the 17th and 18th centuries.

I think I have you all beat. I have a period correct neck cloth made in France from original 18th century patterns that I bought in 1978. If someone has one older, it would almost be original! Unfortunately, I am considerably older than most of you too.

It's been a few weeks since I read it. Liked it for the most part, but didn't much enjoy his fictional character. And you're right, the odd reference to Blackbeard in the middle of a book about bucaniers threw me a bit. I guess he figured people would relate better, but it seems to add misconception onto misconception.

It's also interesting that all the leatherwork appears to be buff, and that the blanket on the left has a veritable panoply of the fabled stainless steel pirate katana Pat is yearning for. Proof once again, of Pat's uncanny research skills.

Other than being much taller than this painting would indicate, it's also interesting that his holsters appear to have flaps to protect the cocks, rather than the standard extended and flared holster.

I worked in a gunshop in California for 13 years, and sold nothing but flintlocks and caplocks. This was years ago, but you still had to be 21 and wait 15 days for a handgun whether it was flint or not.

As far as the tip, that is mainly referring to Airsoft guns ( same size, action, and sometimes weight, as the real ones).

If you can't pay a lot, use Haentze ? Hat Crafters somewhere in PA. I know this place was mentioned somewhere here before. They have a cheap "pilgrim" hat (English Civil War) that works well if tarred or stiffened in some way. We're not talkin' great quality, but with some work, they can look pretty good.

Thanks darlin' Bess. Skull Pyrate Carter found it on a photo site.