PIRATE PARLEY on the Pamlico, May 21, 2011

[LookingGlass]

PIRATE PARLEY on the Pamlico:

Politics, Economics and Authenticity of

Black Beard and Caribbean Pirates of 1718

For Immediate Release

Contact: 252-948-0550

WASHINGTON, NC—The Blackbeard Adventure Alliance (BAA) of Beaufort County, NC, announces the inaugural "PIRATE PARLEY on the Pamlico," a one-day symposium and river cruise on Saturday, May 21, 2011, at Washington and Bath, North Carolina. An international panel of pirate scholars will present groundbreaking and startlingly different historical perspectives of Carolina and Caribbean pirates against the pop-culture backdrop of Hollywood's latest depiction of two of the world's best-known fictional and historical pirates—Jack Sparrow and Edward Teach. Featured among the PARLEY's provocative presentations will be titles such as: "Bloodthirsty Pirates or Hapless Marionettes?—How colonial North Carolina's wretched economic conditions, political discord and ministerial treachery may have contributed to the demise of the infamous pirate Black Beard and the Carolina Pirates;" and, "Pirate Myths and Realities—Exploring the origins of some of the most fascinating lies we have been told about pirates."

The PIRATE PARLEY on the Pamlico begins on Saturday morning in the footsteps of Black Beard the pirate with a bus trip of 75 ticket holders departing Washington's waterfront followed by a walking tour of Bath led by ECU's Dr. Charles Ewen, author of X Marks the Spot—The Archaeology of Piracy. A noted scholar of colonial-era archaeology, Ewen will discuss discoveries of recent archaeological excavations and historical research and what has been learned about the size, sophistication and daily life of the town where Black Beard and his cohorts surrendered to authorities in the summer of 1718.

The tour of Bath will be followed by a one-of-a-kind narrated and catered pirate cruise aboard the 85-foot-long Belle of Washington, departing the Bath town dock and passing important sites like the famed "secret tunnel" plantation of Gov. Eden and later, the pirate-cooper Edward Salter at Beasley Point, Blackbeard's purported residence at Plum Point and the plantation of suspected pirate patron Tobias Knight at Archbell Point. During this three-hour cruise up the Pamlico River, 75 passengers will be treated to lunch, refreshments and a cash bar while chatting with the PARLEY's presenters.

At 3 p.m. near Washington's waterfront, symposium ticket holders will convene at the historic Turnage Theatre for two fascinating presentations. British historian E.T. Fox from Brixham, England, curator of the Sir Francis Drake-Golden Hind museum ship and author of The King of the Pirates—The Swashbuckling Career of Henry Every, will explain the historical realities of pirates and their differences from pop-culture depictions in film and literature. Kevin P. Duffus, noted North Carolina filmmaker, journalist, decoder of maritime mysteries, and author of The Last Days of Black Beard the Pirate, will present a new, provocative program titled, "Bloodthirsty Pirates or Hapless Marionettes?"

Following the afternoon sessions, attendees will be encouraged to dine at their downtown restaurant of choice from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. At 7 p.m. the doors of the Turnage will reopen for a presenter book signing and exhibit in the reception area of the theater titled: "Interpretations of Blackbeard In Fact, Fiction & Folklore," featuring books, movie posters and artwork depicting Beaufort County's infamous pirate captain. At 7:30 p.m., the PIRATE PARLEY on the Pamlico will resume with a spirited, free-wheeling roundtable discussion of pirates, Black Beard, archaeology, history, folklore and legends, featuring E.T. Fox, Charles Ewen, Kevin Duffus and questions from the audience.

Tickets for the bus trip to Bath, tour and return to Washington by catered river cruise cost $75 per person. Tickets for the Parley sessions at the Turnage Theater are $20 per person. Members of recognized historical societies and genealogical organizations will be offered special seating; all other ticket holders will be seated on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Black Beard Adventure Alliance (BAA) office at 252-948-0550. Media inquiries should be directed to 919-845-9244. Additional information may be soon found at BAA's website: http://blackbeardsloopadventure.com/

Blackbeard Adventure Alliance (BAA), is a Beaufort County non-profit organization composed of sea loving history enthusiasts who desire to restore a piece of "pirate history" to North Carolina. BAA plans to build a replica of the Blackbeard sloop Adventure, and use it as an educational vessel, including the design and construction process. Through the PIRATE PARLEY, BAA hopes to remind the world that Bath in North Carolina's Beaufort County was Blackbeard's last homeport, his objective and ultimate destination following his two years as a "pirate of the Caribbean," and place of residence for most of his inner circle of pirates.

--CAP--

Edited March 26, 2011 by LookingGlass

[angelgal918]

I wrote a paper for my History Seminar class about just this thing. Much to do between the gov's of VA and NC over jurisdiction, you scratch my back etc, you owe me a favor, oh and by the way, the goods are going to be re-routed to MY colonies economy, thankyouverymuch. You know, politics.

See Gov Eden's involvement in the Tuscarora War-it's connected.

[LookingGlass]

For Immediate Release

Contact: 252-948-0550

Rare 1724 Book That Launched Pirate History to be Displayed at Pirate Parley Event in Washington, NC, on May 21

WASHINGTON, NC—It is the 287-year-old book that launched pirate history, turned ordinary rogues and thieves like Blackbeard and Calico Jack Rackham into world-famous legends and provided the basis of historical knowledge which has since been perpetuated by hundreds of books, dozens of movies and pop-culture’s perception of pirates. First published in 1724 during the waning days of the Great Age of Piracy, A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pyrates is considered to be the ‘bible’ of pirate history. The author, Captain Charles Johnson, has been called the “famous historian of scoundreldom” despite the fact that nobody really knows who he was or from what sources he derived his information. Johnson later wrote a second volume, completing chapter-length biographies of 35 of the western hemisphere’s best known “highwaymen” of the sea. The books were so popular in London they could not be printed fast enough.

A rare, 2nd edition 1724 copy of the first volume and a 1728 copy of the second volume from East Carolina University’s Joyner Library will be on display in the lobby of the historic Turnage Theatre on Main St. in Washington, NC, on May 21, 2011, as part of an exhibit titled, “Interpretations of Blackbeard In Fact, Fiction & Folklore.” The exhibit will feature books, movie posters and artwork depicting North Carolina’s infamous pirate captain. The exhibit is a feature of the inaugural PIRATE PARLEY on the Pamlico, a one-day symposium and river cruise on Saturday, May 21, 2011, at Washington and Bath, North Carolina. The PIRATE PARLEY was created to offer more accurate historical views of pirates than pop-culture, Hollywood depictions, coinciding with the premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean—On Stranger Tides which features what Disney Studios describe as "the real-life" Blackbeard teaming-up with Captain Jack Sparrow, mermaids and zombies in a quest for the Fountain of Youth.

Much of what the public believes is true about pirates such as Captain Kidd, Anne Bonny, Henry Every, Black Sam Bellamy and Edward Teach, hinges of the veracity and scholarship of Charles Johnson. However, pirate scholars like England’s E.T. Fox, who will be a presenter at the PARLEY, have found numerous factual errors in Johnson’s books, including an entire chapter devoted to a pirate who never actually existed. Most of the best known images of Blackbeard—slow-burning fuses under his hat to frighten his victims, his pact with the devil over the location of his hidden treasure, and his purported 14 wives—are all the result of Johnson’s books.

At 3 p.m. on May 21, 2011, the Parley will convene at the historic Turnage Theatre for two fascinating presentations. Noted historian E.T. Fox from Brixham, England, curator of the Sir Francis Drake-Golden Hind museum ship and author of The King of the Pirates—The Swashbuckling Career of Henry Every, will explain the historical realities of pirates and their differences from pop-culture depictions in film and literature. Kevin P. Duffus, a North Carolina filmmaker, journalist, decoder of maritime mysteries, and author of The Last Days of Black Beard the Pirate, will present a new, provocative program titled, “Bloodthirsty Pirates or Hapless Marionettes?”

Following the afternoon sessions, attendees will be encouraged to dine at their downtown restaurant of choice from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. At 7 p.m. the doors of the Turnage will reopen for music, a presenter book signing, and the exhibit “Interpretations of Blackbeard In Fact, Fiction & Folklore.” At 7:30 p.m., the PIRATE PARLEY on the Pamlico will resume with a spirited, free-wheeling roundtable discussion of pirates, Black Beard, archaeology, history, folklore and legends, featuring E.T. Fox, Charles Ewen, Kevin Duffus and questions from the audience.

Tickets for the Parley sessions at the Turnage Theater are $20 per person, $15 for groups of 10 or more, and $10 for students. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Blackbeard Adventure Alliance (BAA) office at 252-948-0550. Media inquiries should be directed to 919-845-9244. Additional information may be soon found at BAA’s website: http://blackbeardsloopadventure.com/

Parley presenters E.T. Fox, Charles Ewen, and Kevin Duffus are available for interviews, quotes or additional information. Call 919-845-9244 for media inquires.